Zen Is Optimism!
Reconciling Zero
What Makes an Effective Teacher?
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What Makes an Effective Teacher?

When enlightenment alone is not enough.

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Terms In The Audio:

  • Zero: The fundamental teaching of the late Zen master Joshu Sasaki: “As the Buddha taught, zero inevitably splits into mutually opposing activities which inevitably disappear into zero.”

  • Reconciling Zero: The investigation of Zero in the pursuit of Effective Zen.

  • Effective Zen: The one path on Zen Mountain that gives any one individual the best chance of reaching the peak (realizing non-duality).

  • Zen Mountain: The collection of all possible Zen paths.

  • Buddhism: The set of spiritual activities where the highest good is the realization of non-duality.

  • Highest Good: That which exists for its own sake (there is nothing greater).

  • The Realization of Non-Duality: The complete understanding of a self inseparable from circumstance – where complete understanding implies manifestation.


Zero-Buddhism:

The preconditions necessary for Buddhism to arise, namely:

  1. An enlightened teacher.

  2. A clear picture of a path.

  3. An understanding of the obstacles expected along this path.


The Three Characteristics of an Effective Teacher

  1. Understands the human quest for certainty - who I am, what I know, and why I’m here.

  2. Understands that enlightenment is a paradigm shift - ultimately aligning an explanation of reality with experience.

  3. Can vividly portray the final destination along with the path and obstacles.


The Question For Next Week: Can We Reconcile the Characteristics of an Effective Teacher?

Discussion about this podcast