In my eyes, the most powerful group of people, who can make the maximum impact in the world are teachers.
A teacher is like a skillful potter, who can mould the the psyche of an entire generation. She can steer the course of thought of curious and aspiring minds.
What a gift it is to be a teacher !
I’ve had the fortune of having met teachers who have changed my life in profound ways. The way I have evolved in life is undeniably a function of the influence my teachers have had on me.
After a point in life we move out of the brick and mortar university. But we must not forgo the possibility of being an eternal student of life. In fact we should actively seek out teachers to learn from.
Even our friends are but teachers,
who we learn from constantly.
But how to find a good teacher?
In the pursuit of finding a teacher/mentor, strive to ask these two questions to them:
a) What more can I learn from you apart from what you promise to teach?
b) Do you consider yourself more a teacher or a student?
Citing an example, the way I play drums and approach music has been deeply influenced by my mentor. Not only by her playing which is spellbinding in itself, but also by her philosophy, worldview and personality.
While choosing a teacher, seek someone who has a worldview you find fascinating, a personality that you would like to integrate. For even if you want it or not, these things will seep into your being while you are learning from someone.
Better to choose someone who you admire deeply, both for their expertise and the way they lead their life.
Secondly, I firmly believe that,
‘The best teachers are eternal students.’
My mentor had such a curious spirit of learning that she would learn things from me if she found I was working on something new. My lessons with her always felt as if two students are learning at the same time, albeit at different stages in their lives. It made me confident about my creative energy as a musician. My discoveries were always received avidly with an intent to learn from it if she found value in it.
And while learning from her I also picked up this aspect of her personality that made me a better teacher and human being.
Remember,
Learning will preserve your youth.
Find good friends, sincere mentors and curious students. Explore the possibility of being a student and teacher throughout your life.
And ask those two questions to all your teachers,
And be in a position to answer those two questions for all your students.
In the spirit of eternal learning,
Let’s aspire to design,
An Epic University Of Life!
Leave a Reply