Expert: Joe McSorley - 4/23/2004

Question
Hi!  Is there any way for a beginning zen student (me) to correspond semi-regularly with a dharma teacher/zenji/roshi online?  I have no teacher available and really need some direction.  
Are you available?   Thank you,& peace in the Dharma,   Tim.  nodharma@hotmail.com

Answer
Dear Tim,
  I am always very reticent to answer this question.  My instinct is to ask you ‘why do you want to study Zen'?  What is it you think Zen is?   There are many people who can teach you the ‘religion' of Zen and pile you up with all the practices and rituals today's Zen has accumulated. They are all over the web and have practice centers everywhere. I can't help you with any of those things.  Since you mention ‘peace in the Dharma' it makes me wonder if you are interested in the religion of Zen.  My reaction is to ask, what is the dharma outside of self?  What is peace?  These are constructs of the mind.  Without self, no dharma, no one can teach you the dharma.  
  Years ago I approached a Zen teacher with a dilemma I had.  I had no interest in Zen at all, just in solving my dilemma.  I told him about it and he listened intently as no one had before.  He understood completely.  At the end I said, “ Can you help me?”  He replied, “No”!  I walked away completely dejected and as I was leaving the room he looked up and said, “ Just stick around”.  
You can write me if you want.  I will email my address to you.
        Take care,
             Joe