My Elemental Existence

Summary

The author of the article "My Elemental Existence — Teacher" identifies their core essence as being a teacher who helps individuals become who they aspire to be, embracing their current state, limitations, and potential for growth.

Abstract

The author reflects on the fundamental aspect of their existence as a teacher, emphasizing their role beyond traditional education to facilitate personal growth and self-actualization. They discuss the importance of accepting people as they are, recognizing that everyone has limitations and flaws, and the value of supporting others in their journey without imposing unrealistic expectations. The author shares personal insights into their own growth, such as overcoming a dislike for reading, and acknowledges the ongoing nature of learning and self-improvement. They highlight the importance of celebrating progress, both in themselves and in others, and the necessity of individuals taking responsibility for their own growth. The teacher's role is seen as a supportive one, encouraging and congratulating students on their personal development while respecting their individual paths.

Opinions

The author believes that being a teacher involves facilitating learning and growth, not just imparting knowledge from a curriculum.
They stress the importance of accepting people's current state, including their weaknesses and limitations, and working with them if they wish to improve.
The author values being accepted for who they are, including their flaws, and has learned to celebrate personal progress rather than dwelling on not being where they think they should be.
They acknowledge that personal growth is a choice and that a teacher can only support and encourage, not do the work for the student.
The author recognizes that even as a teacher, they continue to be a student in their own journey and are grateful for the support they receive from others who are further along their spiritual path.
They affirm their passion for teaching and the joy it brings, regardless of where they or their students are in their respective journeys.

Guest Prompt Week 1, Day 3: Aswin — “The element of our existence.”

The element of my existence is finding out very early in life that I was a teacher. When I talk about being a teacher I don’t mean passing out knowledge from a curriculum. I did that also and was successful doing it.

What I mean by being a teacher is helping people become who they wish and/or were meant to be. Facilitating that learning and growth. Accepting who they are and being that person. One thing a teacher learns over time or should learn is you take a student where and who they are at the moment. It took me a while to learn that but once I did learn it I knew I could and should apply it to everyone, not just my students. Applying this helps avoid expectations with people that come into your life who have limitations. We all have limitations, so if you take a person where they are on the path if they have a weakness you accept that. We all have flaws and imperfections. We are all a package deal. If they wish to work on that you work with them and help, if not you accept it or don’t. Some things on balance are an issue some are not. You get to decide what you accept and what not. Not everyone is meant to be a part of our circle. I have a friend who has issues with being on time. They know this, they have worked on it and are better. They don’t do it thinking they are better than anyone else and their time is more valuable. They just get caught up in life. A quick goodbye to someone might turn into a twenty-minute chat. Then they are late for their next event. They do let you know where they are by text and such. They have worked on it and sometimes even get there before me. It is nothing I stress over. I take them where they are.

I like to be accepted for who I am. That means all of my plusses and all of my flaws. My friends tend to do that. One of my flaws is that I do not like to read, especially non-fiction. I will read every post published on KTHT each day. It usually takes me hours. I have improved. I will admit that I prefer personal posts more than I do how-to articles or articles reviewing books and such. I tend to not like posts longer than five minutes, but if it is a story that captures me I am all in. There are many books on spirituality I know I could benefit from. I have a few loaded on my Kindle. I am honest when I say I don’t know if or when they will be read. I take me where I am. I have gotten better and read more. I am proud of the progress I have made. I know that there is more than can be done. I celebrate my progress like I would with people I know. I used to beat myself up for not being where I should be as teachers can berate a student for something they should have learned last year. When I found out a class or student lacked knowledge from the past, I taught it. That simple.

If you take someone where they are in their journey and show them by example how to grow in some manner the odds of them doing that, if they wish to grow, improve. We cannot help people to grow if they do not wish to. We can let them know when they are ready we will help them on their journey but as I said to former students “I can’t do the work for you. I can help you but the work is yours to do”.

This past year I have learned the teacher in me is just as passionate as ever. There are many people here who are further along the path than I am in their spiritual journey. It doesn’t mean I can’t support and facilitate that growth. I can thank them for helping me and others. I can encourage them. Teachers will always be students also. The element that makes me know I exist is being a teacher. I will assist a student in the lesson in who they wish to be as a person in any aspect of their life. I am not going to force or try to turn them into someone they do not wish to be but I am going to encourage, support, and congratulate them on their progress.

Peace be with you