Good teachers are artists

Are you a teachable teacher? Are you open to learning when you are teaching or explaining something? The best teachers I have met are always willing to learn- while they are teaching. They are willing to challenge and expand their truth. My all-time favorite teacher once thanked me for all the things he learned while he was teaching me.

Many teachers, counselors, consultants, and parents are relatively set in their way of teaching. It is up to the student to flex into their way of doing things. The teacher is, after all, the master or expert.  This static approach of teaching is limited.

Different people learn in different ways. The way the teacher learned may not make sense to the student. Effective teachers are willing to teach from the perspective of the student. They get into the student’s world with them and explore with them a way to learn the material. Many times the teacher may not know ahead of time how he/she and the student are going to connect the dots. This takes a willingness to trust yourself in finding an inroad with the student.

Each time the teacher is willing to discover a new way of presenting the material, his/her understanding of the subject expands. Because the teacher was willing to get out of their own world (comfort zone), they see the material from a new perspective. The perspectives of the student and teacher often have a synergistic effect on each other. They team up and collaborate to solve the challenges together. Growth to both parties in inevitable.

And… good teachers are artists. They will creatively present the material in a number of ways until the student gets it. They rarely teach things the same way. This selfless stretching to adapt to the student allows the teacher and the student to have breakthroughs and discoveries.

It is what keeps the teaching fresh and relevant (and not boring).

The inquisitive mind wants to know

The inquisitive mind is that part of us that is curious and open to learning. It has no preconceptions about the experience in front of it. Its only intention is to know what is there. It is the mind of a child. It is born of innocence.

It is the inquisitive mind that gets into things. It is full of passion. It creates the sparkle in your eye. It is playful and mischievous. It is truly interested in what people are saying. It asks questions when someone is explaining something and really wants to understand what they mean. It wants to know what life feels like to that person. It is pure discovery.

When the inquisitive is present, people feel heard. They experience that you care about them and what they are saying. By genuinely wanting to know about them, you are demonstrating that you care.

The inquisitive mind is teachable. It helps us learn from every experience that we have. It is the spirit of exploration. It helps “empty our cup” (see previous blog)- so we can experience what is there. It is non-attachment of Buddhism. It is the mother of invention- and innovation. It always creates excellence.

So do what ever it takes to awaken the inquisitive mind that resides in you. Some people play with their kids. Some meditate. Others create things. I say, “I am nothing; I know nothing” (see other previous blog) when entering an experience. Your inquisitive mind will help you find the awe and splendor in things. It will help you feel alive.

Besides… the inquisitive mind creates the only truly pure intention- the intention of: “I want to know.” It has no agenda. It could be: I want to know…what is there. Or: I want to know…what it is like. Or it could be: I want to know…who you are.

Next chapter of your “sense of purpose”

You have raised your children. They have moved out; your nest is empty. Continuing to parent them just seems to annoy them. Your purpose for the past twenty years has been raising kid(s) and/or having a family. Now there is travel and plenty of fun things to do, but what is your purpose? Work is somewhat meaningful, but surely you must be destined for something beyond your job description.

We all need a sense of purpose. It gives our life meaning. We have all come here for a reason- not just to take up space. The Hindus and Buddhists call this your “Dharma”- the thing you came here to do. A French saying calls it your raison d’etre (reason for being).

Raising children has been part of this purpose. But what about the second half of your life. Forty-something is young these days. You likely still have a lot of life in front of you. You have a lot to offer. And…

The world is a mess. We have economic, energy, health care, and environmental crises happening- simultaneously. There are going to be revolutions and new paradigms. The world is changing faster and faster. With these changes there will be casualties and people left behind.

So long story short, the world desperately needs you and you need a sense of purpose. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

To discover your sense of purpose, I recommend exploring things that you are drawn to, things you have a passion for. It has to come from inside. You have natural gifts and talents. You experience at some unique and valuable things. These are clues. With your talents and experience there is something that you would be perfect at- something you are born to do?

We often discover (or rediscover) our dharma through remembering. After you have been exploring for a while, you see or hear something and it triggers a memory… “When I was younger I always wanted to help pregnant teenagers. Then I got married and had kids and I never got to it.” Well… now you can get to it.

Your dream or purpose is not time limited. God/Spirit/Creation has no sense of time. It just cares that we do it. Are you going to do it?

Inner beauty

You are innocent and beautiful inside. If you go deep enough, there is nothing but light and love in there.

I am nothing, I know nothing

Whenever I want to be really present, I say, “I am nothing, I know nothing.” It is a declaration taught to me by my teacher to be clear when doing Native American ceremony. I use it in all aspects of my life. Saying this (and meaning it) allows me to detach from all the things that I thought I was and thought I knew. Then I can discover who I am in my present experience.