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

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.