Finding A Teacher
The vast majority of readers of THE WAY of Intelligence did not meet Rhondell, who was certainly a "real" teacher. Recently I have heard from four of them, in varying degrees of anxiety, "How do I find a teacher?" This is almost a Catch-22 situation, and the quotes from Rhondell to the left refer to that. This is certainly an opportunity for faith.
But there are other considerations, as well, that few potential students pay attention to.
Most everyone calls himself or herself a student, when, in fact, this is not technically true. Most people are consumers of the material, and are politely called "clients." "Politely" because there is nothing wrong with being a client. Clients are interested in gaining something, usually attention and approval toward their self-improvement efforts. A teacher may or may not indulge this, and if he does, may be doing so in order that others may learn from demonstrations with the client. Some insist upon the conditions under which they are willing to be taught. For instance, "Teach me but be gentle." "Teach me but I don't want to communicate except on my terms." Or, "Teach me but when I have the time." "Teach me but I need more advanced material." I have heard all these and more. I've said most of these myself. (We may all be guilty of this one: "Teach me as long as I don't have to give up _____.")
Many who think they are students want it done for them. Their definition of a teacher is someone who has done all the "research" that they need to do themselves. They ask a question, are given the hint of an answer, then "Can you please send me the information you found out about that?" They're not going to read the books, they're not going to ferret out the satisfactions to their curiosities. But if someone else has done so, they are eager (greedy) to take that information.
A few are potential students. Those will be "tested" to determine if they have what it takes to become students. The "tests" are very small, and they usually go unnoticed, they are most often ignored or forgotten. For instance, the teacher knows the potential student despises sports and will ask him or her in passing to please check out a sports statistic. It doesn't happen. The teacher will very often refer someone asking a question to the answer, but in a place not particularly attractive to the asker (for instance a difficult book). When the asker says, "Oh, I don't like reading that author," or "I couldn't find the book," etc., it's plain how authentic the question was (and how authentic the student).
Often an eager potential student will set up a pattern of requesting attention, have it indulged for some time, and then when it isn't, go off in a snit. These people are operating on assumptions. They don't understand the work or the way to be taught (how could they? If they already knew, they might be teachers rather than students) and thus set up ideals for the teacher, all based upon what pleases them.
The teacher's obligation is to give what is needed. This may or may not be what is wanted. The teacher is under no obligation to give wants on demand.
This particular assumption may come from the popularity of therapy, where one pays someone to listen and guide (and today, "life coach") and has a lot of knowledge about how these sessions are usually handled. This work is not therapy, it has a different purpose. And the Teacher is no coach in the way that word is often used today (cheerleader).
So the answer to the question, "How do I find a teacher," is "When the student is ready a teacher appears." (And vice-versa, by the way.) Yes, one must take this on faith, I'm sorry. How many people make themselves ready? The seemingly petty examples above can clarify that of those who have eyes to see. So if you are concerned about "finding a teacher," ponder these things. Act accordingly, and he will show up. And while you're pondering ... smile! and whatever you do, don't make it important. The surest way NOT to find a teacher is to make it important to find one.
You might also refer to a previous newsletter devoted to the subject, which can be found here. And detailed information is buried in virtually all of Idries Shah's works.
(All purple quotes in this article are from a private document dictated by Rhondell to C.T. in the summer of 1984.)
From The Way of Intelligence, No. 17, Spring 2006
