Of the Buddha's disciples, Ananda was the closest to him. He had perfect recall and knew all of the Buddha's sermons by heart, and yet was not enlightened in the Buddha's lifetime. These two attributes became obstacles to his realization. In Joko's practice principles we chant, "each moment life as it is the only teacher". It is our task not to become close to the personal teacher, but to become not sepearte from life as the teacher, from yourself as the teacher.