Work to Serve and Teach
by Alannah Fitzgerald

Teachers are Lifetime Students

by Alannah Fitzgerald

 

As you can see, the umbrella under which these articles are written is titled, “Work to Serve and Teach.” As such, my deepest and most sincere intention in sharing with you, is to encourage and inspire you not only to continue cultivating your own life to support personal growth and benefit, but to consider rounding out your cultivation by way of serving and teaching others. 

 

Those of us who study and practice this truthful and timeless Taoist spiritual tradition and “use it as our vantage point”, are deeply aware of the boundless gifts and blessings we receive through these precious teachings, tried and true, as passed down through countless generations of the Ni Family. It is our desire and duty to assist humanity’s higher evolution through our own practice(s) as well as sharing this knowledge with our fellow brothers and sisters who may express interest; in light of our College of Tao Mission Statement… “to preserve and offer this spiritual wisdom and practices to humanity so you and all future generations have an opportunity to experience the radiant health, peace and spiritual truth that comes from living in harmony with the Universal Nature of Life.”

 

For some, it can seem intimidating to teach, but when you think about it, aren’t we always teaching, modeling to others by how we live our lives, moment by moment? Teaching can seem a bit daunting or scary at first. It’s a big step forward, but to take a step, even if our knees are shaking, we grow - and in the process, build confidence. Soon enough, it becomes second nature. For many teachers, to see the light of understanding within another [and ourselves] as a result of inner discovery, is a joy, to say the least! 

 

It certainly took me by surprise when, years ago, while reading from one of Master Ni’s books, he wrote that “he himself is a lifetime student”! When I first read this I felt deep humility and thought, wow! In my mind he was a Master [of his life] and for him to say that he considers himself a lifetime student really struck me deeply. Consequently, this has become a personal illuminating and guiding reminder that I keep close to my heart, always.

 

In conclusion, I believe one of the keys here is the realization that as we teach others, we are also learning simultaneously. With this in mind, choosing to engage in teaching [a practice] affords a golden opportunity to enhance and deepen our individual cultivation. Are we therefore wise to gently remind ourselves that we too are lifetime students? I have found that when teaching with an open, quiet, non-competitive heart/mind accompanying grounded and focused awareness, we can invite greater clarity. Objectively observing and reflecting within as we teach [and serve], seems to lend itself well towards improving and refining ourselves. Don’t we all wish to be the best version of ourselves that we can be? 

 

I hope you will be inspired to consider serving through teaching, willing to venture forth to take another courageous step along this great journey of life! Just as Master Ni has dedicated his life and so graciously reached out to all of humanity, may we in kind, extend ourselves to our growing spiritual family and community so that “peace may safely arrive.”