. . . Whenever you experience difficulties, you hear the words of the guru. This is the point at which one begins to gain independence from the guru . . . because every situation becomes an expression of the teachings. First you surrendered to your spiritual friend [i.e., the guru]. Then you communicated and played games with him. And now you have come to the state of complete openness. As a result of the openness you begin to see the guru-quality in every life-situation, that all situations in life offer you the opportunity to be as open as you are with the guru, and so all things can become the guru.
Chogyam Trungpa
from Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism