Part III : The teacher ensures that we are not dependent on them, because that means lack of progress
- flowerchen77
- Mar 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 29
“There is an image in the world today that the Guru has a following and his students follow him like the Pied Piper. This is not good. The true Guru shows you the way. You go your way and then you’re on your own, because you know your place and you are grateful. I can always thank my Guru naturally and enjoy the relationship, but I do not have to follow him around, because then I am not in my own place. Following the Guru’s destination is another way of losing yourself.
The Yoga concept of Svadharma means ‘your own Dharma‘ or ‘your own way’. If you try to do somebody else’s Dharma, trouble happens. The Guru helps you find your own Dharma.”
– TKV Desikachar
Sometimes when we are in a very close relationship, there is the risk of dependency. Our goal is freedom. Freedom means that we are not dependent on anyone.
The yoga teacher’s role is to help the person to become independent. For example, this means “I know what the teacher has done; now I can take care of myself. Not only can I take care of myself, I can help others.” This is the concept of kaivalya. “I am a free person and not dependent. I acknowledge and respect my teacher. But now there is light within me. Now that I have light myself, I don’t need another person’s light.” That is the symbolism of guru. Literally, guru means one “who removes darkness and gives light.” It is very important that the teacher ensures that we are not dependent on him or her, because that means lack of progress.
We should encourage all forms of independence. In India, there is indeed a great problem with dependency. We are slaves of our gurus and swamis. When the guru dies, the followers are shocked and cry like children. However, it should be the responsibility of a yoga teacher to help others so they can help themselves.
If someone comes to me should I help so that his person becomes totally independent? If I succeed, I lose this person. On the other hand, there are also many others who could benefit from me. Should I confine myself to some, or should I be available to all those who need me? I tell people that they should apply some effort before they come to see me. I am there for them, but they must do something themselves as well.
It’s like teaching a child to swim. You cannot leave the child alone during the first swim. Slowly the child has to get used to the water. First we swim with the child, and later, we slowly reduce the floating aids. Then we can glide away in the water, saying, “You swim so well! Be careful.”
There are teachers, who seemingly prefer that their students remain dependent. Worse still, some unscrupulous people who are able to influence others in a profound way, are looking to exploit them. When we are seeking something, without really knowing what it is or where we will find it, we are vulnerable. In these circumstances, it is so easy to be led astray. We should be very careful. It is only the influence of a teacher who respects his students that will have positive results.
Without respect, it is impossible for a teacher to help a student in his quest. This means taking fully into account his beliefs, ideas and possibilities, understanding his lifestyle, family situation, and so on - no factor whatsoever should be rejected. It is not the role of a teacher to substitute his personality, his ideas, his feelings, for the student’s. He should never say, “Forget about this, forget about that. Give up what you are doing.” The student should be encouraged to listen more carefully to different aspects, then it is up to him to decide if something needs to be changed. This is why there are so set rules to help student who is faced with a problem. The job of the teacher is to investigate the origin of the situation, recognize and respect the state of the student, and find the most appropriate way of helping him to look for a solution.
“The teacher follows the student and will use many methods to see the student grasps the teachings.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Eleven verse 1
“Krishnamacharya was not a teacher who would go out of the way to instruct students. It was the student’s responsibility to seek. It was only in my later years with him that he felt free enough with me to himself order me to do this or learn that. In the earlier years, he would ask me what I wanted to study - and, naturally, I would mostly always ask him to decide. Occasionally, I asked if he would teach me certain topics in greater detail, and he obliged. I learned pranayama In-depth and the esoteric aspects of the heath yoga by asking him to address those areas in my personal classes; this was several years into my association with him.”
“He (Krishnamacharya) would promptly dismiss any request or question that was not sincere, well-earned, and deeply considered. This meant that I would have to reflect on what he taught me, practice it if possible, and only then ask him a question about it. That said, he was always keen on ensuring that sound yoga should be taught. Therefore, he would answer questions related to how to pass on the teachings correctly. “- A.G. Mohan
A teacher should also be an example. The way he acts, communicates and listens should be an inspiration for the student. However, his example should not go beyond his true capacities. No one can learn from a teacher who over stretches himself. Slowly, through his living example and the right relationship, certain qualities and the characteristics of the teacher will rub off on the student. What happens, is outside the territory of technical know-how. It goes deeper than the mental level and both will benefit from it. This is only possible when there is mutual respect, observation and trust.
The role of a teacher concerning the techniques which he is teaching, is very significant. He can give a deeper meaning to anything - simple bodily exercises, conscious breathing patterns, prayer, meditation, or whatever. The can make the technique touch the heart of the student. To be up to this, he should never stop learning. Continuity of learning is the basis of teaching, and any teacher who loses the will to learn, loses, at the same time, the capacity to teach. Whatever diplomas or certificates he may have, the guarantee of the depth of his teaching is the desire to learn, to constantly search beyond what has already been understood.
“Krishnamacharya knew that I (A.G. Mohan) was turning to yoga full time, though he said nothing about it. He felt that a spiritual teacher should not interfere in the material details and decisions of student’s lives. After all, the way to a peaceful mind is non-attachment: a spiritual teacher should first be focused on this own practice.”
“Krishnamacharya’s practice of having the student request topics of study, rather than being more directive, was not arrogance or avoidance of responsibility. His principle was that if a student was not interested in a particular topic, there was no need waste either the student’s time or his time. He could use the time to do more pranayama and meditation. Along with this, he felt that a spiritual teacher should not recruit students. (He was forced to advertise his therapeutic and fitness yoga classes in the 1950s to make ends meet, but he did not advertise that he would teach philosophy or offer spiritual guidance.) “- A.G. Mohan
Quoted from: What Are We Seeking? By TKV Desikachar with Martyn Neal
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