Toni Gatlin
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Hello, all; what a delight to read your introductions and get to know you a bit. 🙂
I live in Central Texas with my husband and dog, and I come to this training with a desire to be of service in the world. Susan has spoken of “strengthening our friends” when we feel unable to defeat our enemies, and I think that’s something that training as a meditation teacher will better equip me to do.
In addition to this course, I’m in training as a spiritual director and non-profit leader. I’m very excited to fit these skills together in a way that makes (at least my little corner of) the world a better place.
That last paragraph is gold, and something I hadn’t thought specifically about just yet. Thanks for pointing out the need to consider our student’s context before jumping in!
I’m also in a “listening” role and agree that the temptation to “help” is so very real. Releasing that (I love your labeling technique here!) and instead quietly supporting agency and self-discovery is the goal.
The use of the word discovery implies that the end result might be a surprise: discovery, by definition, means to make visible something that was previously unknown to us. It’s important to have curiosity and humility, and to hold outcomes loosely.
Seeking discovery with a curious, open-hearted approach allows for the following of unexpected paths. We don’t know exactly where a trail might lead or what we’ll meet along the way, but curiosity keeps us open to exploring and finding out.
In a similar vein, discovery requires adopting a posture of humility. Arrogance does not foster an atmosphere conducive to being challenged or create a willingness to wrestle with an unexpected result; rather, it (thinks that it) knows best, has anticipated all outcomes, and is incapable of being surprised. Discovery grounded in humility allows the searcher to live in reality, staying with what is rather than clinging to a preconceived expectation.
The twin tools of curiosity and humility would also serve leaders well. As a meditation teacher–a path-walker myself who is a companion for someone else on their own path– I must continually recognize both that I’m not in charge and that I can’t possibly know everything about another person and their journey. My role is to support their self-discernment and foster the quality of agency as they travel a path that might be very different from my own. Staying open and curious about differing understandings and experiences can allow me to partake in and grow from the discoveries of another.