Natalie Miller
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Hi Erin, You made such a good point that students will likely have questions that are beyond our skill level as we are just starting our teaching roles. I an inspired to continue building a quality resource repository, which I am certain will be one of my most utilized tools!
Hi Rosie, I enjoyed reading how you looked forward to the confidence ten years in your therapy practice might bring! I have been in my role for three years and I am grateful every day for each experience that brought me to this point. I have so much appreciation for the growth that comes with time and being able to offer the benefits to others in many small ways each day.
Through taking inventory of what I have to offer a student seeking support with their meditation practice, I have determined that I feel prepared to offer one on one instruction. I hope to offer examples of how I have worked with challenges in my own practice, as well as methods I have seen others use to navigate questions in ways that have led to increased awareness and understanding. I would like to listen with curiosity, perhaps suggesting readings that provide opportunities for students to achieve a different perspective. Most importantly, I would like to encourage students to trust their own knowing and avoid fighting against themselves in order to attain someone else’s version of what a meditation practice is supposed to look like. I will encourage gentleness and kindness toward body, breath, and mind. I hope to be someone they trust and feel comfortable with when sharing vulnerable topics. I hope to create an atmosphere of mutual respect with humor, whenever appropriate.
Hi Virginia, Thank you for reminding me that there are very appropriate spaces in which I might offer instruction at no charge.
Hi Kat, I really loved your last paragraph. Gently allowing is something I want to nurture through my practice.
My desire is to become part of a collective of teachers who already have a fee system in place, so that I may begin my teaching journey with some support in this area.
I tend to struggle to assess the value of the services I provide. I trust that this will become less of a concern over time, as I recognize my strengths and meaningful connection with students.
I appreciated the discussion in class this week regarding the importance of self-sufficiency. I feel this deeply. I want my focus to be on teaching the practice and being present for the students, not how I will meet my basic financial needs – though that may still happen. I’d like to take steps to avoid it. Also, I like the idea of honoring the lineage by being fairly compensated for my role.Hi Colin,
Oh, how I can relate to not enjoying the learning environment of a math class and feeling unsupported. I observe that some of my daughters’ math teachers seem to be using different techniques, which appear to encourage a less stressful environment.Kat, I love the words you use to describe aspects of your ideal learning environment: warmth, magic and clarity. I have a desire to connect with more environments that encourage these things in my life. I am also inspired by the idea of expanding my view on what a learning environment is to include such things as concerts. Thank you.
When I was in college I had opportunities to learn to golf and scuba dive. They were very different learning environments, for many reasons. My golf instructor was my romantic partner. They provided me with the equipment I needed and took me to their favorite golf courses. They were patient and allowed me to learn at my own pace, without judgment for my lack of poise or familiarity with the etiquette. We enjoyed our time together and cheered one another’s successes.
We enrolled in a scuba certification course together as well. One significant aspect of this learning environment was that a lot of it took place in water. I was very anxious in water. One of the instructors was loud and impatient. I felt shamed by them for my lack of confidence and experience. I cried a lot. The worst part was when my partner and I broke up, the lead instructor told to come to the shop to practice the exercises with him after hours. It was just the two of us and my nervous system told me that he was taking advantage of my position as a young student to engage in activities that brought us in close physical contact. It was a bit of a disaster. It has come up in my mind repeatedly over the years as a very unpleasant experience.
Writing about these different learning environment experiences makes me think about the importance of trust in my relationships with teachers, especially when I am lacking confidence or feeling vulnerable. I went on to golf for years after learning in a comfortable, encouraging environment. I have not yet returned to scuba diving. This could be due to many barriers; however, it is possible that the unpleasant experience with the teacher prevented me from developing more of a desire to engage in that activity.Hi MaryBeth,
Thank you for referencing Susan’s essay. I’m looking forward to reading it!
I can relate to what you shared about no longer having someone to debrief important (and unimportant) experiences with, especially after having had that sweet experience for a significant period of time. I am working through some grief in this area.I tend to be more remote as both student and teacher. I didn’t have healthy models of student/teacher or mentee/mentor relationships growing up. I have felt a sense of, “Why would this teacher be interested in connecting with me, personally?” A few teachers have leaned toward me a little more to bridge the gap, for whom I am very grateful.
Three years ago, I returned to school to refresh my career options. I noticed that I felt an increased desire to connect with my teachers, probably due to life experiences that had allowed my perceptions to shift regarding my place in the world. I took risks with vulnerability where I would not have in the past. It was a much better experience and I now have a professional lineage in which I feel actually known.
As far as being too friendly, what comes to mind is that I sometimes make too many jokes or engage in frivolous conversations with my clients at work. I wonder if this impacts my professional image in negative ways. I am maintaining curiosity about it, because I don’t want to return to being unnecessarily rigid and distant. I will practice awareness and follow the arc, making adjustments where appropriate.Hi Jersey,
I could keep reading about you and Greta for hours! And the plot twist – no Daniel. My heart is warmed. Thank you.Hi Virginia,
Thank you for sharing about the importance of discipline. I made a commitment to exercise four times per week, four and a half years ago. I know my discipline in that area has been helpful in increasing my discipline in other areas of my life.
I have some boundaries around the food I eat which has sometimes been confusing to others. I will say I’m glad I have approached nutrition in the ways that felt right to me, especially since not maintaining some basic discipline with food makes me feel less well.Hi Liana,
I love what you shared about feeling connected to generosity. There are so many ways to explore it!
I enjoyed how you described being mesmerized by (sometimes the same) teachings, each time you hear them. I have a similar experience. I think the repetition is so important because I am ready to take them in on a deeper level over time.