Expert: Joe McSorley - 3/14/2008

Question
Hi,
I began to read Buddhist philosophy back in 2003 or so. So far, I read about 15 books.
With time I began to practice what I learned, in terms of knowing myself, respecting others, trying to be self-less, and a long etc.
What I need is orientation. I don't have a teacher. I try to do (zazen) meditation, but I don't know if that's what I am supposed to do.
Can you tell me where I can get a teacher? It has to be through internet, because I live in Chaco, Argentine, and here the only buddhism available is from Daisaku Ikeda (and I don't like them).
Thank you very much.
Cheers :)

Answer
Hi Sebastian,
  You ask me one of the most difficult questions I face.  It is generally very difficult to find a legitimate teacher but that should not stop you from trying.  I think you first need to know what it is you are searching for and why Zen.
If you like the accoutrements of Zen then perhaps you will be able to find a school on the net that can teach these things.  If you are driven by some deeper need then your task becomes more difficult.  Zen is not the only means to awakening or the only articulation of it.  There are other teachers who teach very much the same thing but without any mention of Zen.  Like all things of any depth it is what you bring to it that allows you to understand it.  
  Another problem here is that there are many folks on the web who want to push their way of things as to be ‘the teacher’.  It’s just another form of ego aggrandizement.  I’ve seen courses for awakening on the web taught by teams of ‘awakened masters’.   These things are generally worthless.
  Sebastian, it really comes down to what you want to learn and why you want to learn it.  You’ve already stated you don’t like Nichiren Soshu and I understand why.  If you want to meditate you need to know why you are meditating.  If you want to get to Buenos Aires by walking it is not just the practice of walking that will take you there, it’s knowing the goal and course.  Meditation or any other Zen practice without the right understanding will not bear fruit.  Only you can bring yourself to self-fulfillment and I understand you are looking for the tools to do so.  Please look at yourself and see whom it is that is searching.  It all begins here.  Be critical of everything you read.  Perhaps your best course is to try to read the writings of Master like Bankei and Umon.  Urs App has a very good book on Umon.  I like many of the writings of D.T. Suzuki, Masao Abe, Richard De Martino, Zenkei Shibayama and Shin Ichi Hisamatsu.  Some of their books are very difficult reading so be forewarned.
  I am sorry I can’t be of more help.  Please feel free to write back and inquire further.
  Take care,
            Joe