Before studying Zen, men are men and mountains are mountains. Whilst studying Zen, men are no longer men and mountains are no longer mountains. After studying Zen, men are men again and mountains are mountains. This Zen story is true of all spiritual work. Before studying, the mind and being of the prospective student have a certain organisation built around habits picked up through the course of their life. The study of Zen, or whatever, aims to de-organise: break old habits and patterns so that more natural, less ego based ones can take their place. It is rather like renovating an apartment: during renovations all the furniture and belongings have to be put into storage so that walls can be knocked down, extensions built, etc. Afterwards everything is put back in place and life continues pretty much the same but structurally everything is different.