Master Lu's Teachings Three Kinds of Masters - Are there anymore masters nowadays? I asked Master Lu during one of our afternoon conversations. - Yes, he answered laconically, and then again, serenely: There are three kinds of masters: involuntary masters, voluntary masters, and the master- teaching. - Three kinds? I said in amazement. I thought there are masters and nothing more. - Involuntary masters - Master Lu resumed without paying attention to my
remark - are those from whom you learn mechanically. Their life or a moment of it is like a teaching to you, like an open book where one can read what is useful or not for oneself. Voluntary masters are those considering they have something to teach you, therefore they take over the teacher's role with its advantages and disadvantages. Some of them get money, others reputation… And then there is the master-teaching growing
like a tree within each of us. All you have to do is to be silent and listen, and the teaching will be born inside you, just as a babe is born inside the woman! - Quite an odd classification, I remarked. Still, which of them are the most helpful for people? - The involuntary masters are helpful, even if they are not aware of that. The voluntary ones are helpful and not. But the deepest and finest teaching
is the one growing inside your being, like a tree: it is the fruit of your listening - while you become the fruit of its efficiency. For what is not efficient will not last... - By the way, Master, which category do you fall into? I added. - None of them. I'm an auxiliary. |