The Teacher.


27

 The Teacher



There comes a time in everybody's life when they have to take on the role of the teacher. The questioning mind reaches out to an adult looking for an understanding of something they see around them. The creative worker at one time or another is asked to assist or to show someone some of the finer details of their craft. For this to happen the now teacher has to be respected. Without respect, there can be no space for learning to take place. 

The teacher takes care of all things, perseveres and loses sight of nothing, takes each student at the stage they are at and gently draws from the learner insight that enables the student to follow in the steps of the teacher. The good teacher abandons no one and never gives up finding ways to bring the student to a point of enlightenment, where the coin drops and understanding takes hold.

Lao Tzu calls this, "Following in the light.'  He also asks, "What is a good person?" and gives the response, "The teacher of the weak student."

When the opportunity to pass from one to another, something that has been learned, there should become a deep sense of humility in the honour bestowed upon the artist that they have been chosen to be such a mentor. 

To give without confusion and impart without feeling proud, learning this is to understand the mystery of being at one with oneself and the Tao.

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