“When the pupil is ready, the teacher disappears.”~Vicki Woodyard

This is the new teaching for me; it is the way of paradox, the way of rising above the mental plane. For there, wordiness gets in the way of silence. Thoughts get in the way of peace. And conflict gets in the way of love.

Until I was ready, I could not let the concept of teacher disappear. I knew that something was wrong and I objected to it mightily. I kept saying that people are over-explaining non-duality. I grew dreadfully bored of the online pomposity that prevails. There is a continuum of teachers and they all have too much to say.

So to sit with Theo is to sit with the disappearing teacher/student relationship. Now there is just presence. It seems to contain a lot of lucidity and humor. Just two people meeting in a room so one can presumably heal the other. It is a service that I pay for. He comes from Peru and must cover his expenses. That is only fair. I am learning to ask for donations to my website. I told him that. I have expenses to pay as well, and those who have the ears to hear what I write are happy to chip in from time to time.

What is important to remember is that the true wealth is not measured in dollars and cents. “My kingdom is not of this world. Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” We have all read those statements. What spiritual wisdom gives you is beyond price. What Theo gives me is himself in his true being. I try to do the same when I write.

When prosperity is ready, poverty disappears. If you choke on that statement, you will not be ready for this one. When conscious love is present, loneliness disappears. When I sit with Theo, I remember that joy is the payment one freely gives and gratitude is the emotion that rises up to meet one.

Maybe when you sit with my words, the reader/writer relationship disappears as well. I told Theo that my writing continues and it is easy for me to do. I enjoy being present with what is appearing on the screen. And now, once again, it has changed.

I see more deeply that self-respect is important and that self-love cannot be separated from other-love. But it must begin within and spread out. You cannot spread it out without first giving it to your inner self.

The jewel in the lotus is shining brightly. Tears only temporarily bedim it. Just as shadows cover the sun. Just as anger temporarily fractures peace. Humanity is a cross to bear. Anyone who tells you otherwise is unripe.

When the fruit falls from the tree, there is no one there to pick it up. When the pupil is ready, the teacher disappears.

Vicki Woodyard