Sunday, April 20, 2014

Zen instruction

When I once asked him what his view of giving instruction in Zen was, a teacher replied, "I tell them 80 per cent and let them find out 20."

I thought about that in the years that followed and now find my own view somewhat different: "Tell them 100 per cent and let them find out 100."

I simply don't see any other choice that is honest.

1 comment:

  1. So often, there is such a long e tough walk between the moment someone offers us instruction and the moment we mentally understand what is being taught and such an even longer and tougher walk between the moment we mentally understand what is being taught and the moment we actually realise it through hard practice, that it does beg the question whether is such a great idea in holding back anything at all and turning a longer and tougher walk into the longest and toughest walk ever (which already is).

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