Learning is the skill with which we are born. From the moment (and perhaps even before) of first consciousness, we are gathering and integrating information. Early on, our minds begin to formulate questions and seek answers. It is a continual process, from figuring out how to take that first breath and throughout every experience of life. And so, by association, do we have teachers all throughout our lives. Whether by default or intention, there is always someone or some experience adding to the information we integrate to evolve.
Think about this: In whatever circumstance we find ourselves engaging or whomever we find ourselves associating, the type of teacher/teaching is defined. When I was a street-kid, for example, the type of teachers I chose reflected the lessons of street-life; they were, you might say, intense learnings about freedom and survival. Many of my teachers then would never have named themselves as such. But they were, and they taught me through my experience with them.
In the environments where teaching is a profession, the teacher attempts to impart a specific body of information for learning. Often, teachers by name intend the teaching to be in words and thoughts, disassociated from the foibles of personality. This, however, is not possible. As learners, we engage all levels of our awareness, and we absorb information as it comes through feelings and behaviors as well as concepts. We feel the teacher and observe the teacher’s behavior and listen to the words that describe the intended teaching… and, somehow, the experience integrates into a learning.
To the extent that the teacher is congruent in how they live their life related to what they teach… and authentic in the expression of their learning process… to that extent, the teaching maintains its integrity. And this is why I believe a teacher of integrity teaches by example. Otherwise, inevitably, we – as learners – will be disappointed by the teacher. If a teacher disappoints, it’s because we started ignoring the congruence and authenticity of the teacher, paying attention only to the words.
I know this from experience. I’ve done it more than once. And, every time, what I learn/remember is that an authentic teacher teaches by opening the path of inner Guidance and Knowing. Learning is the activity; teaching is merely a concept that describes the direction from which the sparks come that ignite insight and wisdom Within to integrate into learning.
Having experienced teaching environments filled with the intensity of incongruent teachers, I find myself drawn to Nature. In Nature, there is power in the simplicity; there is wisdom in the rhythms of Life and how they support each other. In Nature, I find a timeless peace that lifts the ‘urgency’ of questions into a softer need that more easily receives the answer. When I turn to Nature as my teacher, Nature always turns back to me with love and shows me the Teacher Within.
All true answers come from Within.
Nature abides, and allows the essence of the question to become an answer from Within. Nature inspires an awakening Consciousness to grasp and integrate the internal answer however is most relevant in relationship to the question asked. Nature imposes no external or artificial values.
Nature is the infallible teacher.
And so, my friends, isn’t it inspiring to note that – on some level – we are all teachers? And isn’t it empowering to know that we always have access to Nature and, therefore, the Teacher Within? And every time we connect directly with our Inner Teacher, it gets easier to do it again; isn’t that exciting? I think so.
Because learning is what we do, and I love the idea of learning intentionally through teachers that reflect infallible congruence, integrity, and authenticity.
Thank you. I love you.
This post filled my heart with happiness this morning! As a family, we have chosen to travel the path of relaxed homeschooling. We have found, by trial and error, that learning happens in the most unexpected places and ways. The Miss excels when we just let go and let things happen. It has been an amazing discovery for two adults who were never allowed to learn that way.
One of my favorite quotes…
Real, natural learning is in the living. It’s in the observing, the questioning, the examining, the pondering, the analyzing, the watching, the reading, the DO-ing, the living, the breathing, the loving, the JOY. It’s in the joy. ~Anne Ohman
Ahhh, the joy. It truly is such a wonderful thing!
It is one of the wonders of Life to allow our children to learn by their own interest; the results are beyond amazing, I believe:) Not only does it inspire a passion for more learning, they get to love who are they are becoming through the process.
That’s exactly it! I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to have this conversation outside of message boards dedicated to the subject of raising our children to embrace dancing to their own music. Finally, someone who understands my ‘crazy’ (to the mainstream…lol!) way of thinking! =)
Learning and teaching, that’s what its all about! I have become an accidental teacher — meaning if anybody learns anything from me it is totally an accident 🙂 I sometimes wonder if I learn anything from people who are trying to teach me something they think I need to know, what do you think?
I think, Alan, that you learn the most from people who are telling jokes, but I have seen some evidence of sparks going off in your mind even when there is no laughter involved… it just takes more patience 😛
Nice. I’m going to push this out through Amplify and see if it can draw some more readers.
Thank you, David!
I love that life itself teaches, and that with the right attitude you can take life experiences and teach yourself from them. This is an amazing thing to me that I am learning to recognize.
Like you, I find myself drawn to nature. Sitting in my garden, watching the bees, chipmunks, hummingbirds and smelling the freshness of the garden, it seems to impart wisdom to me.
I like your phrase: “the right attitude”.
It’s all about a willingness to learn from everything and everyone, isn’t it?
Beautiful post, Ahnalira!
Thank you, Mariah… the thoughts – they flow, and my fingers let them through 😛