A student approached a Zen teacher to
learn Zen. The teacher told him, ‘Hear
the sound of one hand clapping.’
The student tried for three years and
did not succeed. He was depressed that
he could not do what his teacher had
told him. He came in tears to the teacher
saying he had to leave because he could
not do what he had been told.
The teacher said, ‘Wait for one more
week. Meditate constantly.’ The student
stayed for one more week and
meditated. Nothing happened. The
teacher said, ‘Try for five more days.’
The student stayed further, yet nothing
happened. The student came in despair
begging to be
released. Then
the teacher
said, ‘Meditate
for three more
days. If you don’t get enlightened, you
had better kill yourself.’
The second day, the student was
enlightened.
When your whole being is burning with the
single intense desire to realize the
Ultimate, you will simply absorb the
master’s instructions. The magic of
transformation is bound to happen. Only
then will you be open to receive him. Till
then it is just an interest.
