THERE WAS once a Seeker who went to a new Teacher and sat at his feet. But, instead of listening to the Teacher and opening his feelings to receive, what he was saying, he demanded definitions of every term used and spent his time arguing and protesting. The teacher refused to engage in argument but went on with his talk, ignoring the interruptions. When the Seeker had left, the others asked the Teacher why he had not admonished him.

"That will be the last we, shall see of him," said. the Teacher. "He is not: seeking the spiritual truth but only someone to argue with so that he can lay down what he himself believes to be the truth. I cannot help him with whatever I can convey from my own experiences or guide him towards the path to the truth. He wants a teacher who will be prepared to define terms, argue and debate to his heart’s content. I cannot give him anything myself but I have done him at least the service of making him disappointed in me so that he will find what he wants. Putting buyer and seller together is also a social service."