Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘A spiritual teaching is a finger pointing toward Reality; it is not Reality itself. To be in a true and mature relationship with a spiritual teaching requires you to apply it, not simply believe in it. Belief leads to various forms of fundamentalism and shuts down the curiosity and inquiry that are essential to open the way for awakening and what lies beyond awakening. A good spiritual teaching is something that you work with and apply. In doing so, it works on you (often in a hidden way) and reveals to you the Truth (and falseness) that lies within you.’ (The Way of Liberation)

Adyashanti does not set himself out as a zen teacher, or even a buddhist one, but his words unmistakably align with much of what you will hear in zen teachings. I have been to see him speak a few times over the years, and seen senior zen teachers in the crowd, ones who know a good teacher when they hear one.