Living as Teachers and Students Alike

Human or animal, who remains isolated their entire life? Because all too often educators are seen as beings above the majority as those with exclusive skills or backgrounds compared to most, while being a student is viewed as just a short period in one's life that one day we simply outgrow, there needs to be light brought to the fact that in one way or another none of us ever stop transmitting or receiving information, only ever being a question of subject or concept. We've so many teachers throughout our lives, some being completely forgotten and others whose words, actions, or presence stick with us every single day that we live. On the opposite end, there are countless lessons that we teach to those who we come into contact with through every avenue of our lives, not always being aware that what we'd said or done was programming another. This is one of the many beautiful means of which we get to connect to each other, whether that be between two individuals, one person and one creature, or perhaps one individual and one distinct environment. Many of us may always be seeking something, never knowing what it is or why we seek it. Though what we do know is that we want more, and what we want more of is information, experience and wisdom; we wish to have it just as much as we live to share it. Being aware of the three ways in which this exchange takes place will not only help us to understand how prevalent this force of nature is, but how we can be more attentive and discreet at what we teach and what we personally take to heart and mind.

We are always teaching and learning from each other. Of course we have those who we consider closer to us than the majority population; family, friends, and those in places of power and institution we remain in close contact with due to employment or any other circumstance. Regardless of how we actually feel about them, these individuals are the ones who are most responsible with who we are as people. Yes, from our mannerisms, to our speech, the way we think, to even how our posture is held, almost our entire temperament is built by the amount of time we spend being indirectly taught by this firsthand circle. We talk like them, we act like them, we see what they see, and we hear what they hear. In turn, our actions, behavior, and what we declare out loud will affect these people, teaching them what they put out and so perpetually recycling the same energy and ideas that had come before. Take a moment to think about where you are most frequently and you'll realize this chain. Even if we don't want wish it, our brains act as sponges and they will soak in every single input if they're not trained to filter what is desired and what isn't. That being said, consider what you most frequently hear or witness from a close friend, family member, or common associate next time you are to be with them for a period of time, and challenge yourself to identify how and what they teach you on a regular basis. Here you will realize how much of them comprises how much of you. You will then be the one in control of outside influence, able to decide what you will take in and what you will give back to them. After all, the last thing we want is educate someone with their own knowledge, so discern what can be taught or expressed instead and bring something new to the table you and they share so often.

We are always teaching and learning from other life. Animals and sea creatures were by no means put on earth solely as a means of food and provisions. All of us have likely had an encounter where before we looked at one of these creatures as a means to an end, we found ourselves looking beyond them as a source or tool but as something to try to understand, to relate to. Without words, we found their very nature speaking to us in a way that we'd never anticipated or felt from any human interaction. Further, the most compelling aspect of this connection is that it holds no limit to just one emotion we feel or lesson we learn from them, such as peace or kindness. For example, we may observe an elephant or perhaps a dolphin and learn a sense of tranquility, or we could observe a lion or eagle and glean a sense of power or exhilaration from them. We can watch a band of gorillas or maybe a bale of sea turtles travel, and perhaps come to understand the absolute presence of moments, of patience. What an incredible gift it is to be able to learn about our own emotions and insights not just from each other but from every form of life there is! On the other end, though, how we treat such precious life determines what we teach them and ourselves about our own nature. While man is dominant over beast, we do not live just to command these creatures but to show respect and compassion to them as we would our own brother. Such behavior and perspective will not only determine the level of trust we can (and should) have with our fellow creation, this will in turn make us aware of our own programming, and assess if we are as caring to ourselves and others as we are to the other countless forms of life among us.

We are always teaching and learning from each respective environment. Our environment is a mirror, but a mirror that reflects what? Everything around us, no matter where we are, is a reflection of ourselves, including our upbringing, our inclinations, our thoughts, actions, what we’ve been taught and what we are teaching on even a momentary basis. These environments teach us through what we see, what we touch, what we eat, what we hear, and even by what we smell, all attributing to our mind and body alike. Consider this: why do you think someplace new at times feels somehow familiar upon first arriving there? As if we had been there before? Within moments every one of our senses are becoming steeped in what we find familiar, involving what we are both fond of and what we aren't so fond of. What may feel like a 'past life' or distant memory being brought to the present is moreover our coming to understand and developing education of what we are adapting to. In a way, you could say everything we initially see and experience in life is our version of that place, time, group, or concept. Though, of course, this is by no means a one-sided coin. As much as we are being taught by our interpretation of such environments, we tend to shape or teach it just as much if there are more present. As we are internally the masters of our surroundings, we equally have the power to form it, and thereby educate the world around us. Naturally you may feel more at peace when your surroundings are yours alone, but as soon as there are others sharing this space is the moment your presence becomes theirs. Maintain awareness of such surroundings, as whatever is seen and put back out into the ether will have no other direction but to return to us personally.

Influence and indoctrination will never be separate entities, just as no way will we ever be our own person entirely. Yes, we may have our own unique personalities, thoughts, feelings and spirit, but this base can't help but serve as an overlay of foreign tendencies that become our own. We learn this way and we teach this way, but this is no reason to ever be alarmed. Because of our nature that yearns for connection and information, we're able to see and accomplish more than we ever could on our own. The term 'impossible' gradually becomes nothing more than a suggestion to us, and what was once deemed impossible years ago is now constantly achieved, as if by open floodgates. As a phenomenon that is witnessed across cultures and opposite ends of the world, this exchange of wisdom drives us to new heights and levels of wonder that we never want to end, and rightfully so! The more we learn then the more we become, and the more we teach and enlighten, the more purpose we feel. In essence, this is the recipe for creation. So let us never graduate and never be complete, but continue to become more and continue to educate not just those around us, but our inner being what it really means to be among the living and able.