The Roles of Teacher and Student: An Indic Perspective
What is at the heart of the student-teacher relationship? What are the students' expectations of teachers, and what are teachers' expectations of students? Where and how do students and teachers honor personal and professional boundaries? How does our evolving society impact the quality of these relationships and the future of humanity? As I've pondered these questions, I find myself beginning the inquiry through the ancient wisdom of India.
Who is a Guru?
The Sanskrit word "Guru" is often translated simply as "teacher." "Guru" has been commercialized in American society to include anything from the leaders of branded yoga trends to experts in cosmetology (beauty gurus). However, Joel Mlecko (1989) in The Guru in Hindu Tradition (Numen, Volume 29, Fasc. 1, pages 33-61) captures the deeper essence of the word:
A guru is a "counselor, a sort of parent of mind (Citta) and Self (Atman), who helps mold values (Yamas and Niyamas) and experiential knowledge as much as specific knowledge, an exemplar in life, an inspirational source and who reveals the meaning of life."
According to a revered yogic text, the Advayataraka Upanishad, translated by George Feuerstein, the Guru is one who dispels darkness.
गुशब्दस्त्वन्धकारः स्यात् रुशब्दस्तन्निरोधकः ।
अन्धकारनिरोधित्वात् गुरुरित्यभिधीयते ॥ १६॥
The syllable gu means darkness, the syllable ru, he who dispels them,
Because of the power to dispel darkness, the guru is thus named.— Advayataraka Upanishad, Verse 16
Therefore, a flute guru is someone who could shed light on the intricacies of flute playing technique, the history of the instrument, and the best pedagogical practices, as well as impart an understanding of a broad and diverse range of repertoire. And the flute guru is potentially more than that. I recently had an opportunity to study online with Sanskrit and yoga philosophy teachers Dr. M.A. Jayashree and Sri Narasimhan. They shared several insights worthy of reflection.
The Many Roles of a Teacher
Dr. Jayashree and Sri Narasimhan taught that there are different types of teachers, and all are valuable.
1. Adhyapak – one who imparts knowledge or information.
Consider the music teacher who drops in to give a masterclass or present a lecture. Many of us may have served in this role as clinicians at conferences and festivals – We fly in for the event and soon return home. In this scenario, we have no method for determining whether the information was absorbed and put into practice or not.
2. Upadhyay – one who imparts knowledge and information and helps build good understanding or comprehension.
This role requires at least a minimal exchange with the student to determine the level of comprehension. For applied music teachers, this certainly speaks to the one-on-one lesson where feedback is gathered throughout the time together, whether in a single lesson or many.
3. Acharya – one who imparts skill.
I recall the Shinichi Suzuki quote:
"Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill."
An Acharya is a consistent teacher who is there to provide feedback to the student on their progress in an ongoing way. The role requires a level of commitment to the student, a willingness to remind the student lesson after lesson what they already know and to support the ongoing refinement beyond skill to include the mental, emotional, and physical challenges that accompany growth. In its purest translation, an Acharya is a spiritual teacher. The Acharya awakens the student to self-awareness – developing skill requires not only repetition but also discernment around what is working and what isn't (which habits need to change).
4. Pandit – one who imparts deep insight into a subject.
The Pandit includes teaching skill but moves beyond skill to teach deeper insights related to the nature of the self/Self. Music becomes the medium through which the teacher imparts and encourages self-discovery. Music is a metaphor for life itself.
5. Dhrista – one who has a visionary view and can teach you to think in that manner.
The root of this word, "dhr," means "to see." The Dhrista teaches the student to "see" independently. They empower the student to see the teacher within themselves.
6. Guru – one who can awaken the wisdom in you and lead you from darkness to light in a spiritual sense.
The Guru frees the student from the need for a teacher at all. The student becomes the teacher.
The Qualities of a Good Student
Dr. Jayashree also taught an ancient Hindu sloka (saying) that describes the five qualities of a good student or Vidyarthi (one who desires knowledge).
Kaaka-cestaa baka-dhyaanam, shvaana-nidraa tathaiva ca | alpaahaarii giha-tyaagii vidyaarthii pancha-lakshanam ||
Students should possess these five qualities:
1. The perseverance of a crow retrieving water from the bottom of a pot. (kaaka-cestaa)
The crow is resourceful and persistent. With a need to quench its thirst, the crow finds water at the bottom of a pot but can't reach it. The crow then gathers pebble after pebble and places them in the pot to raise the level of the water. Once the water is high enough, the crow can drink with ease. Likewise, the student must be resourceful and persistent, garnering the pebbles of information and wisdom anywhere they can find it to access the skill and knowledge required to feed their thirst for learning.
2. The focus of a crane standing on one leg entirely focused on the water waiting patiently to catch its food. (baka-dhyaanam)
The crane only catches its food by remaining still for long periods and watching the movement of the fish in the water. The student must focus intently on their goals, waiting patiently to catch opportunities for learning and professional growth whenever they pass by. My predecessor, Margaret Redcay, gave a solid piece of advice to my students: "You must keep practicing. You never know when the door will open, but when it does, you have to be ready to step through it."
3. The alertness of a dog sleeping but who is always alert to its surroundings. (shaana-nidraa)
A sleeping dog is still alert to all its surroundings. Likewise, the student must remain attentive to the content and context of their learning environment, ready to play, learn, or engage in other ways whenever an opportunity presents itself.
4. Alpaahaari – aahaar (food) alpa (less)
The meaning here is "less consumption," not only of food but of everything we consume – food, sounds, smells, sights, and touch. Over-consumption results in reduced energy and higher cognitive load. The student's learning is best when their energy isn't drained by sensory overload. The teacher can help monitor this by providing clear expectations, directions, and opportunities for the student to communicate their needs and experience.
5. A willingness to leave their “comfort zone.” (griha tyaagii)
The "comfort zone" may include the home but extends to anything familiar or known, including habits. Humans are resistant to change. However, change is necessary for growth. The student must accept that learning requires change – whether that's a change of perspective, a change of routine, or the risk of trying something never tried before. They are willing to lean into the discomfort of the unknown, which means an openness to be vulnerable. The teacher can assist this by creating an environment that is not only challenging but also supportive and kind.
A Blessing for the Student - Teacher Relationship
In 2006, during my yoga teaching training at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, I was introduced to the beautiful Sanskrit student-teacher mantra. May it inspire you as it has inspired me.
ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om Saha Navavatu | Saha Nau Bhunaktu | Saha Vīryam Karavāvahai | Tejasvi Nāvadhītam-Astu Mā Vidvišāvahai |Om Śāntih Śāntih Śāntih ||
May we be protected together.
May we be nourished together.
May we work with great vigor.
May our study be enlightening.
May no obstacle arise between us.
Om, peace, peace, peace.
G Feuerstein (1989), Yoga, Tarcher, ISBN 978-0874775259, pages 240-243
Mandyam Anandanpillai Jayashree and Sri Narasimhan, Intro to Yogic Chanting with Jayashree & Narasimhan, Om Shala Studio, Arcata, California, December 2, 2022.
Joel Mlecko (1982), The Guru in Hindu Tradition, Numen, Volume 29, Fasc. 1, pages 33-61