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What we come for.
A man came to Bahaudin Shah and said, "First I followed this teacher and then that one. Next I studied these books, and then those. I feel that although I know nothing of you and your teachings, this experience has been slowly preparing me to learn from you."
The Shah answered, "Nothing you have learned in the past will help you here. If you are to stay with us, you will have to abondon all pride in the past. That is a form of self-congradulation."
The man exclained, "This is, to me, the proof that you are the great, the real and true Teacher! For none whom I had met in the past has dared to deny the value of what I had studied before!"
Bahaudin said, "This feeling is in itself unworthy. In accepting me so enthusiastically and without understanding, you are flattering yourself that you have perceptions which are in fact lacking in you."
We go to a teacher pretending we want to learn - but in fact we are there to show how great we are, and (especially if we've paid) to become even greater.