Moving On

Tonight is my last night in Danbury.  Everybody else form the class has already left.  I am here to sort out what and how to rectify the crash into my van.  While doing so, I spent a large chunk of time on the Internet and have lost the rhythm that was so successful all week.  I feel hyper, ordinary and disconnected from myself.  There is no Qi, no focus or intention.  That is not exactly true; it is not at the level that I experienced and appreciated this week.  I have been trained to be in certain rhythm and to be building Qi continuously.

I had the opportunity to have an extended phone conversation with my other teacher tonight.  Other Teacher, that sounds funny after more than fifteen years as my Teacher.  There have been mentors but just one Teacher; now I have two.

What does it mean to be a Teacher instead of a teacher?  The first thing that comes to mind is commitment.  A Teacher makes a spiritual commitment to stand with a student 24/7 through a lifetime.  It is more than just being available for phone or in person support and guidance; it is dedication and support while sleeping, meditating or anything else.   On some level, the Teacher is always “on-call” vibrationally beyond the physical.  This requires commitment.

Unconditional Acceptance.  The Teacher does not judge, condemn or hold grudges against students.  They love them deeply but do are most often impersonal with students, it is not a social relationship.  Time, distance and space do not have any relevance; Teachers provide support regardless of what consequences they may pay Karmically, mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually.

Compassion.  The Teacher shows deep compassion for students.  This is more than care and concern; it includes genuine empathy and recognition of the challenges and struggles of a true spiritual journey.  The Teacher knows because they have first-hand knowledge of the process.

Respect.  A Teacher respects where the student has come form and where they are headed.  They respect the commitment and dedication necessary, and Honor their courage and strength.  They acknowledge what is given up along the way and how hard that can be.

The Two-by-Four.  The teacher is willing to be the used to smack students out of their slumber, arrogance, naiveté and blindness.  Teachers recognize students’ resistance and obstacles, and share them with students knowing the anger and resentment the student may send back at them as “thanks” for their concern.  Teachers are often needed to work harder then their students. And more thoroughly to help facilitate awareness of obstacles and readiness to successfully remove and release the obstacles and resistance.

When I think of Teachers, I think about their unwavering willingness to fight for the success of students.  They know the cost of giving up and the rewards of honoring one’s spiritual commitments.  The Teacher forceful support and love is often the one thing that students can rely on when falling quickly or hard. This is a Teacher; someone who fights beyond rational thinking or what they are will to do for themselves to contribute to the success of the student.  Teachers serve their students and that is what they do, they serve their students.  Thorough this process is where and how Teachers learn- through students and their relationship.  I am grateful to have two Teachers like this.