Trying too hard.

 Sometimes we try too hard – I know I do!

 We don’t notice we are getting too enthusiastic and a little rigid: we lack a softness. We can be too keen to ‘get it right! This brings us to the Buddha’s immortal saying, “Not too tight and not too loose,” and only we can know when we have to relax, or tighten a little more. The more we look and listen, the finer the tuning. We have to be alert to our own short comings, and relaxed about them at the same time.

 Finding fault with others is not so helpful. However, this doesn’t mean we don’t notice what is going on!

 Spirituality is tough. We are constantly being taken over by ego, when ego actually needs to take a back seat. Ego is just our consciousness clinging to fixate concepts about our own ideas: it doesn’t want to loose its grip, and that is why we react. We also need tenacity to proceed!

 This brings us to the value of a teacher, which is a touchy subject for westerners. The way in which we regard the teacher will reflect back on us. This is truly a difficult subject to face.

If we see the teacher as an ordinary person – that is the value of the teachings we will get back.

If we see the teacher as a clever person – that is the value of the teachings we will get back.

If we see the teacher as a insightful person – that is the value of the teachings we will get back.

If we see the teacher as a lineage holder – that is the value of the teachings we will get back.

If we see the teacher as a Buddha – that is the value of the teachings we will get back.

 I have to be honest: I see the teacher as a representative of the Buddha’s teachings, but there is sometimes total surrender.

Not too tight and not too loose.

We push from our side.

The teacher pulls from his side.

The secret is in devotion,

totally letting go,

in pure perception.