Teachings

It was somehow fitting that the last lecture of this series focused on the nature and quality of education and teachings. In other words what qualifies as education or a teaching?

Of the 3 qualities referred to in this subhāṣita, the one which I wish to leave you with is the quality of tranquility, or in Saṃskṛta “śānti”.

Ācārya explained that any teaching or educational process should in and of itself lead to this feeling of tranquility, which in time will evolve into the state of Yoga or Realization.

Any teaching (and I extrapolate to any teacher) can and should be assessed in this way, simply done by evaluating how one is feeling at the end of the lesson or process.

Ācārya went on to explain that this quality is actually how Teachers would originally teach, with both Teacher and students experiencing Realization directly as a result of the teaching process.

I dare say that I can see how that could happen.

Heartfelt gratitude to all beings who enable us to enjoy this privilege.