[dushappeaps]

You don't have to follow more than one tradition, even if you're interested in say, the writings of another tradition's teacher.

For example, I practice with a white plum zen sangha here where I live. I also love to read the writings of certain tibetan buddhist teachers from the kagyu tradition such as Pema Chodron, Chogyam Trungpa and Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. That doesn't mean I have to stress and incorporate a tibetan visualization practice into my zen practice. That would diffuse the inertia of the whole thing!

And tastes change. I was into Suzuki for a while. I even picked up Alan Watts on zen (even though he's unpopular and controversial among othodox buddhists).

Lately I've been of the opinion -- sort of like what Aloka mentioned. Don't rely on the teacher. The teacher is there to reveal your own inner teacher. You should have a relationship with a teacher that becomes so good as where the teacher is giving you the courage to trust your own experience and your own judgement. Then the teacher can start asking you "well, what do you feel like you should do?" It's all about a functional, not-a-dependancy relationship IMO.