My answer to the previous thread

[Kent]

Rags hiding riches.
Beautiful, Taigu. So evocative.
Thank you.

Gassho, Kent

[Matt]

Thank you Heisoku, Richard, and Shonin for your replies. I really appreciate the insight of you folks who are more experienced. I think I should add that I have found Treeleaf to be incredibly supportive in the short time I have been here. Gassho, Matt

[Andrea1974]

In the West, things are much more democratic and egalitarian. Sometimes it goes too far (as Taigu sometimes reminds us), and nobody wants to listen to the teachers and everybody wants to do their own thing.

I agree, although there are many cases where people believe what a so called “Guru” says out of blind faith. In my view, we should trust and respect our teacher, but also question his/her teaching from time to time (trust should constantly be renewed). We should trust the path we have chosen, but also keep an eye open to what other people or traditions have to say. Not doing so may lead to the creation of a separation/division between different points of view and ultimately between people. I have tried several spiritual practices (for the lack of a better word), and found that Zen practice fits me the best...very glad I found TreeLeaf : )

Gassho, A

“Life is a balance between opposing forces” – Lots of people said that...ahah