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Teachers, Teachings, And A Path


 

A picture of an image with the word " sprout ".

Daily walks, time for contemplation, and meditation have given me an opportunity to think about teachers, teachings, and a path.  I have had a lot of teachers over the years with the various pursuits I have followed and the teacher is important.  Part of our learning as students is the discernment to chose wisely or make shifts if needed.  One of the first challenges is how to chose the appropriate teacher when entering a new field of interest. Are there basic qualities in a teacher that are universal?  Humility, respecting the edge of one’s knowledge base, and continuing to be a student are three basic criteria that I find help to build my confidence to want to learn from someone.  When someone is willing to say they don’t know, or let me look into that, or direct you to someone who does know are signs that the teacher respects the listener, has a desire to provide a useful service or right action towards the student’s needs, and has the quiet strength to not be the expert and be vulnerable.  The search for the truth has been a relentless seeking quality for me, so if the teacher’s ego distracts from this point of clarity and alignment, I find it limiting at some point. Of course, I have to consider my ego as part of the limitation as well and actually the first place to look–not the second. Unfortunately, it can take time to recognize this weak spot if the ego is doing a “good” job taking command.  We all need guides, cheerleaders, and support, but who and in what form are a few of the challenges.

Once a teacher or system is chosen, a few points to keep under scrutiny are, is it making sense, moving towards  the goal or solution in general, and leading to the focal point in a productive way. Again, we are a bit at the mercy of the learning curve in the beginning, but a person’s quality as a human can always be examined and then stack on the professional capability afterwards. We all have different personality types, so choosing is very individual.  Recommendations  and observations from other students for integrity, work ethic, and results history can all be useful as well.  A red flag goes up for me if I can’t meet the person, ideally observe a few lessons (if the students are comfortable with this idea), and speak with other clients. What is my gut reaction and intuition telling me?  Part of the teaching relationship is the ability to attune to the teacher, so start there.  It doesn’t have to happen the first moment of contact, but examine it as if you were looking at a gemstone in the light–turn it over and look at it from different angles.

Another point to consider is does one make a shift to a new teacher or body of work when challenged or uncomfortable with change?  Maybe it is the moment to stay, dig in, and walk into the fire? Or does one need to be discerning, not get thrown under the bus, and recognize when to move on for the sake of clarity and self respect?  I have stayed in difficult situation, because the person is knowledgeable, but that knowledge came with a price.  Ideally, mastery, knowledge, and kindness don’t have to be mutually exclusive. My best teachers have had all three qualities and it was a remarkable experience along the path of leaning.

The actual direction and how to proceed on the path is another big area of inquiry. At this point, one thing I feel comfortable saying is that it needs to be personalized, so it resonates for the individual’s growth which is unique.  Looking outside one’s personal space can be useful but confusing.  Take the scenery in as possible clues, but develop a relationship with your inner voice to refine and find the course that is personal.  While I am in India, I am the only one at the ashram going for 2-3 hour daily walks in the countryside, but I know that is critical for me to be able to process what I am learning and sit quietly for hours in between meditating.  For someone else, he or she might be so tired that falling a sleep and lots of aching muscles would become a distraction. The path takes work on many levels. I really like that my teacher in India has no curriculum, but he is willing to answer what questions arise while I am trying to go straight.  I see the wisdom in this approach, so it immediately is personalized.

Whoever we learn from or whatever we pursue, it does take self discipline, attention to detail, and effort. The teacher cannot do our part–he or she is just a guide on the journey.

(Not my photo, but gorgeous and epitomizes the gemstone effect in the light…

A picture of an image with the word " sprout ".