Question
In response to another Zen practitioner, who therefore belongs to the same sangha as I do,
I would like your opinion on whether a spiritual
guide is necessary to advance on the Zen path. It seems to me that when she says
she needs no one to develop in the right direction and trusts only
herself, she is going astray. And since she is facing difficulties
at the moment, perhaps now would be a good time to seek advice—and
awareness—from her godo, wouldn’t it? But can we bother the master in
every circumstance?
Thank you.
Sabine
Answer from Master Kosen
Having a spiritual guide does not mean losing responsibility for your own life. We absolutely must guide ourselves and discover our inner master. That does not change the fact that to learn to practice Zen correctly, we need to meet a master who is sufficiently competent and experienced not to lead us down the wrong path.
Kosen