Student and teacher...

3/8/2015

When a good student and their teacher have a falling-out and stop discussing, questioning and playing Taichichuan together, each becoming slowly more isolated from the other, the creative cycle of learning/teaching has ceased for both of them, growth is impaired and stagnation imminent. We do not know tomorrow, hurts need to dissolve, stubbornness forgone, and equilibrium restored. The Ching-Shen “spirit of vitality” must be raised? It is precisely in the space of healing and regeneration where the function of Taichichuan is most effective and best served, it is also where the true depth of one’s art, practice and character is better developed and ultimately revealed.

- John Hartley 2015

Ben Ho

31/12/2015 05:52:45 pm

In Tai Ji Quan we learn ' not to insist not to resist '
That we find in our push hand practice, if we insist we lose and if we resist we also lose.
If we apply this principle to other area like if we insist of pulling the plant up so it will grow quicker , so it will catch
up with the other plants which have grown before you will kill it.
It's all in the nuturing , our Tai Ji Quan teacher is like The Gardener and we're the plants.

-Ben

Trish T

31/12/2015 05:53:43 pm

I tend to agree with Ben. Just sharing as both a student and a teacher.
As a student, we cannot insist that the teacher give us more when we want the teaching, it is up to the teacher to watch the growth and nurture where possible. If all students are plants and the teacher a gardener, then the gardener must have his favourite plants that he watches over more. So in reality, the less we ask for, the more we will get.
As a teacher, we cannot nurture the students who resist the teachings. It may not be a conscious resistance but none the less, there is a barrier where the exploration of ideas and teachings are unable to pass through. So in reality again, the less we give as teachers, the more the students will accept.
It all comes down to distance, timing and accuracy just like in push hands!!!

- Trish Tan

Felicity

31/12/2015 05:54:27 pm

Thank you John, what you have said has been very thought-provoking to me, because as a professional educator, I find different teaching philosophies interesting. I’ve thought quite a bit on what you’ve said and I would like to add a few things that come from my own experience, with the hope that in this forum these may also prove thought-provoking for others.

It seems to me that there are significant differences between the subject matter of Martial teaching and Educational teaching. However, I feel there are some underlying general concepts that can be applied to both in relation to a falling out between a student and teacher.

The teacher/student relationship is a complex one. There is a defined power structure in place, with the teacher having a level of authority over the student due to age, training and experience. For a learning relationship to work both need to treat each other with respect and as an equal human being. This does not mean that the student has the same knowledge, experience or authority as the teacher, merely that both are human beings with the same frailties, fears and ambitions as anyone.

Communication breaks down when neither party can discuss their views in an even way, or have empathy for the other person’s point of view. When either forgets that the person across from them is human, they start to see them as the ‘Other’. In any relationship, whether it’s personal, family or a teacher/student, mutual respect is crucial. This allows both parties to discuss issues that may be contentious, thereby allowing for continual growth, development and an understanding of each other.

In the Art of Tai Chi Chuan, I feel that both parties mutually benefit from the relationship - the student develops skills in the Art, as the teacher develops their ability to both impart knowledge and deepen their own understanding. I believe learning is a lifelong endeavour that good teachers try to cultivate in their students and within themselves. This is only achieved through shared experience and mutual respect - it can’t be forced by one party on the other. In saying this, however, I have found in my own dealings with students that most resolutions of conflict tend to be initiated by the teacher and I feel this can also be applicable to the Art.

I teach in south-western Sydney - a highly multicultural area with many students from a relatively low socio-economic background. My specialty is students with a learning difficulty, which quite often is coupled with behavioural concerns. In my classroom I am the adult - I have more experience, more patience and quite often a much more stable and loving background from which to approach conflict. I soften and speak with the child about their troubles. I remember they may have a battle going on that I may not be aware of. I know when to push the issue and when to save the discussion for another day. It can take great patience and perseverance to achieve resolution of some conflicts.

I feel this can be said of a Teacher of Tai Chi Chuan as well. They can often have more sensitivity and yielding than the hot headed student and are quite often able to keep cool in times of conflict. As you said John, it is in the space after the fallout (and also sometimes during) that real growth occurs, hopefully on both sides. The ability to maintain centredness, to find a balance between ideas, to know when to push and when to yield - these are the skills that a teacher can use to temper the situation and bring balance back to the relationship.

I also find that impartiality is a key to keeping communication open and ensuring that the reciprocal nature of the teaching and learning cycle continues. While a teacher may have favourites, I personally believe that it is important to try to not let this show. All students need to feel welcome, equal, able to contribute and at home in the classroom. I cannot become a great educator without the feedback of my students, I need to have a rapport with each so I can build my own skills and tailor learning to each individual's needs. I believe this is the case in Tai Chi Chuan as well, as the Art teaches us to be a perpetual learner. Lessons can come in many shapes and forms and it is important to remain open to this. Both the student and teacher have much to learn from one another. The student develops their ability in the Art, the teacher develops their understanding and sensitivity, through learning about all their students' personalities and the best ways to work in harmony with them. It is pushing, just without the raised hand.

These ideas are my own and like many worthwhile ideas are easier to explain than to practice. They often require time, tears and patience, but in the end I’ve found they have helped me connect with more students than I can count and have helped me grow into a stronger teacher with a perpetual love of learning and of those who wish to learn.

Thank you again J

Felicity

31/12/2015 05:57:31 pm

... (continues from previous response)
Thank you again John for sharing your thoughts. This is something that I love about this Art, how the philosophy and principles behind it transcend the physical expression of the form and can be applied to all aspects of life.

Warmest wishes,

Felicity

John H

31/12/2015 05:59:33 pm

Thank you Felicity Ben and Trish for your sharing your thoughtful contributions to the BWDG posting.

I have received an email asking if my post is about anyone or an event in particular. Granted I have trouble in expressing thoughts clearly in written form. I have had very little in the way of western education beyond the very basics of reading and writing, which I suggest, remains questionable? Any posting from me are personal insights and sharing experience, not absolutes, I certainly would not profess to talk for others.

So in the interest of “clarity”, for those who enquired, the student/teacher fall-out piece is about my own experience and observations and is about the importance of maintaining and restoring relationships in order for growth to continue…period. I look at relationships as an equal exchange of energy or what I refer to as “the real economy”.

The piece could as easily have been about husband and wife, father and son mother and daughter uncle and nephew, aunty and niece, earth and human-being, governments and people or why we cut up and share out kangaroo in a certain manner and all kinds of various combinations therein. In this instance I drew from my own experience as a student of Taichichuan and the importance of relationships culturally - cultural relationships extend way beyond person to person.

In a practical sense I have taken both the civil and martial philosophical framework of Taichichuan along with cultural experience into many areas of my working life and having worked in many emotionally ‘hard” areas to date I know, in applying the fundamental philosophical framework of Taichichuan in my areas of experience has been productive and highly beneficial. Taichichuan at work in the healing space is most effective, I am sure I am not unique in this assessment but talk from personal experience and not from an armchair view.

I was not/am not an overly quick nor talented learner was not overly favoured by teachers and made a lot of mistakes in my earlier learning stage but I listened and practiced consistently and slowly bit by bit I gradually began to make a little sense of things and than a little progress. I practice daily and as best I can, I also take my practice from the armchair into all areas of my life and relationships and having made mistakes and put out balance a number of times I “invested in loss” and I learnt, so if I can learn Taichichuan certainly most people could also?

in Taichichuan one size does not fit all, each of us has to find how the central principles apply in our own body and life? We all learn in different ways, in different “time-frames’ have personal objectives but we all learn nonetheless and if we practice we will make progress.…………………..e-v-e-n-t-u-a-l-l-y.

A good teacher has your learning interest at heart and wants to see you grow in the art it is very pleasing to see students learn and “get it”. The teacher for me is like the middle line running through the yin yang diagram and has a lot of responsibility and obligations toward the student, the student also has responsibilities and obligations toward the teacher there is a reciprocal exchange happening what I earlier refered to as the"real economy” if the reciprocity exchanged remains equal back and forth this is balance if not it is imbalance then ther must be what we call “a levelling up’.

Truly an art for all seasons, and as I’ve written before Taichichuan is the medicine of the age.

Have a great week Taichichuan-ers

Peace and all good things

John H

Jen B

31/12/2015 06:01:56 pm

Listen Hear Feel
As human being we are all unique
And bring our own life experiences with us.
Our own balance is shaped by
Physical, mental, spiritual and emotional stuff…
Being fully present as a learner –
(teacher or student)
Is the key for me.
Staying fully present is the challenge –
Listen Hear Feel
More awake to sensitivity,
Gradually relaxing to notice energy,
Soft and gentle..so easy to miss
as we try hard to find it!
Listen Hear Feel
Patience little grasshopper,
students motivate us to deepen our practice
teachers inspire us to play and discover our BEST
Yes, Balance Even Symmetry Timing..
Simple messages repeated
until we listen, hear, feel.
Opportunities to discuss, question, create
Opening the door so that we can step through
and gradually build our pathway with firm roots.
Invest in loss..an amazing Art
Listen - hear - feel
Thanks to all who contribute and provide opportunities
for us to grow
and help us in other parts of our lives.
- Jen 3/8/15

John H

31/12/2015 06:03:17 pm

I awoke this morning to read a thoughtful piece by Felicity Way -teacher/student relationship, personal growth and the importance and usefulness of Taichichuan philosophy in working life which I really enjoyed. I also enjoyed reading pieces by Ben Ho, - not forcing or leap frogging the learning process, Trish Tan - teaching less is more, nurturing and gardening and Timothy Martin Taosim, Nei-gong and meditation and now Im reading a really wonderful piece by Jen Binney which I think for me ties them altogether great poetry Jen-

To all list members please keep contributing when you feel the urge, the BWDG is not about rights and wrongs but about sharing our personal thoughts and experiences of Taichichuan. We never know but in doing so in some small way it may be of benefit to others to gain further clarity and to progress our practice a little bit? I know the more I read of other peoples experience of Taichichuan the more it open me up to learn more.

Just thinking how lucky we are?

Continue gently
John H

Jen B

31/12/2015 06:05:15 pm

I agree John – its great to see so many responses – how lucky are we – very lucky me thinks!

Felicity

31/12/2015 06:06:22 pm

Thank you John for the kind words and the very engaging topic. As I said earlier, the Art truly moves beyond the physical form and I love finding the serendiptus moments when our principles not only guide our form, but gude our lives.

I too enjoy reading other peoples’ experiences of the Art and feel very lucky that we have such a diverse group who are so open and happy to share together.

I hope for many great discussions and thought-pieces in the future!

Best wishes,

Felicity.

John H

31/12/2015 06:07:28 pm

Your welcome Felicity always good to read your post on BWDG - its true the philosophy and theory of Taichichuan is/can be carried through to all areas of ones life but I think its vitally important that we continue to practice our form a little everyday also. So keep up your practice Felicity and please continue to share your thoughts on Taichichuan with the BWDG.

Regards
John H

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