Cultivating the relationship between a teacher and a student -- Yogacharya B K S Iyengar

The relationship of a student with a teacher or guru is abiding forever. The imprints of the teachings of the teacher remain strongly imprinted on the student. But, the student has to learn further from that “taught capital”, the pillar of intellectual strength and proceed further.

The imprints of the teachings

Of the teacher remain strongly

Imprinted on the student

The relationship is

abiding forever.

Guru is not a commodity to be found that easily. A self-proclaiming guru cannot be a guru. The guru is he who goes out of his/her way and helps to build up moral courage and intelligence in his/her students. S/he encourages and enlightens them in the subject they purse. Guru is one who, knowing what types of obstacles comes in the student’s way, guides and teaches the students through his/her sadhana. The student is an eyewitness to see how the guru lives and practices. S/he likes to lead her/his pupils/ students to go beyond their of achievement without any expectation.

A guru is not dependent

on acquired knowledge and

the syllabus of the college

or the University.

A guru with his/her experiential wisdom sharpens his/her students or pupils by correcting their mistakes at once. S/he goes out of her/ his way to remove the veil of ignorance and fear and light the lamp of knowledge by eradicating darkness of ignorance. A guru is not dependent on acquired knowledge and the syllabus of the college or the University.

There is no

difference between a guru and a teacher. A teacher who teaches with religiousness is as good as a guru. What a teacher or a guru teaches, we are advised to follow his/her instructions judiciously without questioning. Today, most of the students treat their teachers as equals.

I feel that the student should learn not to show off in front of the teacher without observing what is taught. Students should not treat their teachers or mentors as their colleagues. The students should follow the instructions with due regards and respect to build up a good rapport with the teacher.

Actually a good teacher climbs down to the mental and intellectual levels of each student. Even in large classes, S/he builds all of them under her/his eagle eye and raises them all to that level of her/ his anticipation. With diverse ways the teacher uniformly units all students to savour the experiential knowledge building up closeness with one and all.

A good teacher climbs

down to the mental and

intellectual levels of each

student.

And raises them all to the

level of the anticipation of

the teacher.

A genuine teacher will have no selfish motives. As there is no demarcation to learn and to reach the goal in any art, science or philosophy, the students need to change their attitudes towards their teachers as they neve

r expect praise of rewards from their students. Only the students have to learn to be patient as the guru guides the pupil at a right time when S/he sees maturity in them. This is how relationship has to be cultivated and maintained.

I have encouraged my students to find their ways in this uncharted ocean of yoga and I have made each one to feel and touch the spiritual heart.

I only request my teachers/ students to conduct themselves ethically so that no one raises their fingers to say that you have compromised the fundamentals of yoga for the sake of popularity or for wealth.

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