Do you know of anyone whom you respect, or look up to?
Someone who you call/address 'Teacher', 'Master', Guru', 'Shifu' etc or whatever labels you give that person.
I used to have 2 so-called 'Masters', too.
One is a yoga master from India, and another is a new-age kind of 'Master' involved in energy healing method.
And, from the new-age energy healing master, I got to know several other certified masters.
I was with all these masters, especially the main 2, for a while, about 1-2 years, observing them and learning whatever they're willing to share.
What I discovered was, despite all their knowledge and seemingly abilities, and all the awe-inspiring things they say and can do, they're still unhappy, insecure, filled with anger, enmity, hate, fear, jealousy, suspicious, unsure and suffering.
I figured that's not it.
So I left.
All of them.
I decided to find out for myself.
But I must add that I'm grateful and thankful to all of them (especially the main 2) for coming into my life so that I can experience and 'see'.
Do I have any Teacher/s now?
Who is/are my Teacher/s now?
There are 3 parts to the answer to the above question :
1) Everything and every being in my life - Cos' I learn so much just by observing people, nature and all the other beings.
2) The Buddha - As a monastic once said, " The best (and to me, the only) Teacher you can trust is The Buddha."
3) Myself - Cos' no one can teach us better than ourselves. We're our own best friend, and our own worst enemy. Everything begins from us, our minds. There's no conquest greater than self-conquest.
The Buddha once said,
"The One who sees the Dhamma, sees The Buddha, The One who sees The Buddha, sees The Dhamma."
Where is The Buddha? Where is The Dhamma?
It's in your fathom long body, says The Buddha.
"We are our own Master, Our future depends entirely on ourselves;
Nobody can take care of our future lives,
And the present rests on our own shoulders."
- The Buddha
"By oneself, indeed, is evil done;
By oneself is one defiled.
By oneself is evil left undone;
By oneself, indeed, is one purified.
Purity and impurity depends on Oneself.
No one purifies another."
- The Buddha
"By self do you censure yourself.
By self do you examine yourself.
Self, indeed, is the protector of self.
Self, indeed, is one's refuge.
Control, therefore, your own self.
As a merchant controls the noble steed."
- The Buddha
"Rely only upon yourself;
Do not rely upon others."
- The Buddha
"We alone is the light in the dark.
No one can light the path for us except ourselves."
"Only we hold the key;
Only we can set ourselves free."
"In short, what it means is :
DIY - Do - It - Yourself."
