Theos-Talk Archives (June 2002 Message tt00124)

June 22 2002

Who has precedence: TEACHING or TEACHER

Dear friends

This is about as unresolvable in terms of infinites as which came
first, Hen or Egg.

However since we have 7 levels of development the physical one is not
the finality.

The most elevated is SPIRIT.'

Spirit is deemed to be eternal, universal and TRUE -- the support of
ALL.

In such a case, both TEACHING and TEACHER are the same thing. Neither
has existence without the other.

In terms of our Earth and Cosmogenesis, H P B states in SECRET
DOCTRINE that this Earth was preceded in an earlier Manvantara by an
earlier Earth and we and all beings here are the Karmic results of
causes set into motion the, and so back as far as we care to thing
there is an ever-receding series of corresponding CAUSE/EFFECT/CAUSE
concatenation.

As to the actual Teaching of our present day humanity, SECRET
DOCTRINE I p. 272-3 gives the source and method of conserving,
studying and then diffusing THEOSOPHY to all. Obviously those who
were to be TEACHERS has to re-learn the applications of the one truth
as it would become manifest in this period of evolution.

A correlation to this is found in our own series of progressive
incarnations, where we spend a large part of our young life becoming
acclimatized to a new environment, a new era, new relations and a new
system of education. This is inevitable, and the Masters state that
when a Nirmanakaya incarnates and takes on a "body of the race"
several years have to spent in adjusting this new body to the nature
and stature of the inner EGO. The process is reasonable and
universal.

Best wishes,

Dallas

-----Original Message-----
From: redros
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 3:42 PM
To:
Subject: The Teacher or the Teaching? Who is FIRST ?

My initial question, "Which came first, the Teacher or the Teaching?"
seems to have triggered some controversy. This was not my
intention. It was a sincere question meant to explore the esoteric
significance of the Teacher and the Teaching.

Because it was presented as a koan, I forgot to take one thing into
consideration. Koans tend to have a mentally destabilizing effect.
That is one of their functions so the use of koans must be undertaken
with great care. One of the functions of a koan is to assist us in
giving up our preconceived ideas so we can experience the truth from
the fresh perspective of a beginner.

My answer was that the Teaching came first which was based on my
understanding of John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word and the
Word was with God and the Word was God." Here, I understand the Word
to be the Teaching. When I think of the Word, I think of the Word as
in Logos --> Divine Wisdom --> Teaching. From the Teaching came the
Teacher.

However, upon further contemplation, I received the impression that
my answer was not the only correct answer.

To illustrate:

Teacher: Which came first, the Teacher or the Teaching?

Student #1: The Teacher.

Student #2: The Teaching.

Student #3: The student comes first.

Teacher: You are all correct.

A very wise student: There cannot be a Teacher without the Teaching,
and there cannot be the Teaching without the Teacher. One cannot be
without the other.

Teacher: Correct again.

All the students: Huh?

Teacher: There is no wrong way to answer this question.

Sometimes, it can be very unwise to explain a koan. For starters, it
takes away the opportunity for the student to experience the Teaching
for himself or herself. It takes away the experience of gaining
intuitive insight. When one thinks about it, who would want to be
robbed of the experience of understanding it for oneself. There is
nothing quite like the experience of studying the Teaching as
presented by a Teacher, when suddenly one gets it. It's like a door
that opens into Infinity.

Many koans are about learning to experience different aspects of
reality. When one gives up thinking one's reality is the only
reality, one can recognize and respect the diversity of others'
realities.

Sincerely,


CUT