willie wrote: A discipleship is a huge life-long commitment that goes both ways. The teachers half of the commitment is to ensure that a complete transmission is accomplished. Which means that they do not withhold any skills or secrets.
Historically/traditionally, that might have been true but often isn't in today's world. Often, these days, it is a money-grab by the teacher and/or about building an organization. For some students, it's about having status. There are lots of examples, even with some of the biggest name teachers.
It is important to be clear that there are disciples and there are disciples. Being a disciple isn't an automatic guarantee of knowledge and skill or that all will be revealed to the disciple by the teacher. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. It depends upon the people involved and the specifics of their relationship, which can vary between one teacher and his various disciples.
My comments are general in nature and not aimed at anyone discussed in this thread.