Joy Harjo's Web Log

Joy Harjo posts reports here on her trips and other happenings.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

TEACHERS

This morning early I headed out with the Sun to go visit a teacher. She's been a teacher of mine for years, though neither she or I would necessarily couch the relationship in those terms. From her I have learned a reverence for the earth as a being, for the water, a reverence for reverence. I have learned about paying respect for the gifts of the spirit. I have learned to accept the uniqueness of my own experience and spirit, and the uniqueness of others. She's a hard worker. I have seen her help strangers as well as family. She does so without question, and always does anything to the best of her ability. She would not want me to post her name here and would be embarrassed if she knew I was talking about her. She's a true human being.

We are all teachers to each other.

Unfortunately, some who teach, or call themselves teachers have forgotten why they are here, the nature of their calling, and the responsibility of their position.

Be wary of anyone who puts themselves above all other teachers. They do not listen, and will not listen to you.

Be wary of anyone who assures you that theirs is the only way, who tells you they are the coolest, the smartest, the best. They will do anything to get their way.

Be wary of anyone who makes fun of others inside or outside the classroom. They do not respect themselves.

Be wary of anyone who seeks to separate you from the community, to make their own privileged inside circle of admirers. They do not love themselves and cannot love anyone else.

Be wary of anyone who attempts to lure you with praise, promises of perks and thrills. Everything has a cost.

Your experiences are your teachers. And even our most misguided teachers can ironically be the most important teachers.

Most of all, pay attention to that wise teacher who is within you, within all of us. That wise one will always lead you in the right direction, and that direction is always towards some form of compassion.

posted by Joy # 10:17 AM

Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home

Archives

07/01/2003 - 08/01/2003 08/01/2003 - 09/01/2003 09/01/2003 - 10/01/2003 10/01/2003 - 11/01/2003 01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004 04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004 05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004 06/01/2004 - 07/01/2004 07/01/2004 - 08/01/2004 08/01/2004 - 09/01/2004 09/01/2004 - 10/01/2004 10/01/2004 - 11/01/2004 11/01/2004 - 12/01/2004 12/01/2004 - 01/01/2005 01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005 02/01/2005 - 03/01/2005 03/01/2005 - 04/01/2005 04/01/2005 - 05/01/2005 05/01/2005 - 06/01/2005 06/01/2005 - 07/01/2005 07/01/2005 - 08/01/2005 08/01/2005 - 09/01/2005 09/01/2005 - 10/01/2005 10/01/2005 - 11/01/2005 11/01/2005 - 12/01/2005 12/01/2005 - 01/01/2006 01/01/2006 - 02/01/2006 02/01/2006 - 03/01/2006 03/01/2006 - 04/01/2006 04/01/2006 - 05/01/2006 05/01/2006 - 06/01/2006 06/01/2006 - 07/01/2006 07/01/2006 - 08/01/2006 08/01/2006 - 09/01/2006 09/01/2006 - 10/01/2006 10/01/2006 - 11/01/2006 11/01/2006 - 12/01/2006 12/01/2006 - 01/01/2007 01/01/2007 - 02/01/2007 02/01/2007 - 03/01/2007 03/01/2007 - 04/01/2007 04/01/2007 - 05/01/2007 05/01/2007 - 06/01/2007 06/01/2007 - 07/01/2007 07/01/2007 - 08/01/2007 08/01/2007 - 09/01/2007 09/01/2007 - 10/01/2007 10/01/2007 - 11/01/2007 11/01/2007 - 12/01/2007 12/01/2007 - 01/01/2008 01/01/2008 - 02/01/2008 02/01/2008 - 03/01/2008 03/01/2008 - 04/01/2008 04/01/2008 - 05/01/2008 05/01/2008 - 06/01/2008 06/01/2008 - 07/01/2008

Subscribe to Posts [Atom]