PATH TEACHERS

There is a old Buddhist proverb that states:
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear

Chinese chi kung and Indian yoga schools differentiate between "technique teachers" and "path teachers". Path Teachers not only teach the mechanics and techniques of a discipline but also place a great emphasis on personal (body, soul and spirit) development, the unfolding of hidden truths, the attaining of "Satori" (in Japanese) or "Ming" (in Chinese). It is not necessary for the path teacher to have arrived at the goal but has walked the path longer and more attentively than their student. The path teacher clearly has more experience on this path.

Kwai Chang Caine in the Kung Fu TV series had many instructors in the Shaolin Temple but only Master Po and Master Kan were his path teachers. In the clip below Master Kan states "In Shaolin Temple there are three kinds of men, students, disciples, and masters..." so it is with all training in true martial arts. Many are students, few are disciples, still fewer become true masters. A student needs only a teacher, but a disciple must have a path teacher to walk the path to master.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmQNBSQmXCE

Many who study or practice martial arts do not want (consciously or unconsciously) personal development or growth, a "path", enlightenment, or anything other than learning how to defend themselves, or having an interesting hobby, or to fulfill some self-centered notion. This type is a student and will be nothing more than a student no matter how many years of study and training. This is not necessarily bad but it is not the master path. Even with extensive training what keeps them a mere student is their close mindedness, always learning but never coming to the knowledge of reality, they are happy with illusion. What makes one a disciple is open mindedness, willingness to unlearn what they have learned to see reality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGQF8LAmiaE

Path teachers will challenge the student/disciple to seriously question actions, thoughts, convictions and viewpoints for lasting improvement of their quality of life and those around them. Many are not up for this type of challenge.

The path teacher knows there are many routes and courses to the main path but the path teacher only can encourage the student/disciple to choose the best route or course, but it must be the student/disciples choice alone. As the student/disciple negotiates the path, the path teacher is only permitted to clear away the stones or obstacles from the path when they objectively represent a serious danger to the student/disciples progress and can not be removed by the student/disciple. The length of the teacher-student relationship depends on the extent of the students desire to advance.
Which pill will you take?

Blessings,
Eddie Rose Sensei