Question
Our group leader is beginning to show symptoms of a worrying illness: spiritual pride. He wants to educate us with countless rules and lectures, while somewhat sidelining us (two of us have more experience than the rest of the group and can therefore see this kind of game, so naturally we are a bit inconvenient). I tell myself that in the end the only answer is to continue zazen and deepen it, hoping this will pass while staying in contact with the group. But faced with a rather radical attitude, we also want to be able to testify to what we think is right outside that space, to avoid conflict and learn from what we see so we don’t screw up in the same way someday (knowing there is no such thing as zero risk!!).
What do you advise?
Anonymous
Answer from Master Kosen
There is a large percentage, especially in Zen, of guys whose spiritual ideal is to become a little boss and forget their own mediocrity by educating others.
I find your attitude in this regard very healthy. A sincere practitioner immediately has the reflex to observe himself and wish with all his heart not to fall into this trap.
Kosen