By Your Pupils You Are Taught

It's a very ancient saying,
But a true and honest thought,
That if you become a teacher,
By your pupils you'll be taught.
~ The King and I

It was the last day of the conference - the last few hours in fact. I had one more session, then pack up, get on the bus to the airport and fly home. It had been a wonderful few days, in which I participated and presented. My presentation naturally included elements of conflict management utilizing concepts from Aikido, skills for difficult conversations, and centering practice.

Students from all over the world attended the conference. In my session, a gentleman from Japan, Yoichi, volunteered to be my Aikido partner for some of the demonstrations. Skilled, kind, and adaptable, he proved to be the ideal uke, the partner who attacks, receives the throw, falls, and returns to attack again.

We were new to each other, but with his easy grace and fluid movements, it was as if we had practiced together many times. This sometimes happens in my seminars - magic. In Three Deep Breaths, Tom Crum says the third breath is about breathing in "the mystery, the magic of life," and being "fully appreciative of whatever shows up." That's what happened with Yoichi. He became my teacher.

As I was heading through the crowded Westin Hotel lobby towards the last conference session, thinking about what I needed to do to make it to the bus in time, I happened to pass Yoichi. I stopped briefly to thank him one more time for his generosity in volunteering.

It was a way of stopping I sometimes have when I don't actually stop. I mean I pause physically, but my body and mind are really on the way to the next moment, the next thing I have to do. But Yoichi really stopped. Yoichi was centered in that moment - was with me completely - and his presence stopped me cold. I came to - to this moment. It was a lot like waking up. I was there, and I knew it. I was at rest and really present with another human being.

I thanked Yoichi as planned, he received my gratitude gracefully and thanked me also for the opportunity to engage. As we exchanged words, we also exchanged ki - energy, life force - and knew this, I think. The moment was brief, and the moment was full. As Tom also says, being present, being centered, does not take time. It only takes intention.

I left that moment grateful for the teaching and ready for more practice. How many times a day can we practice the simple act of being truly present with someone else? Think about it today. And even if all you can do is notice that you are not, or were not, present for that moment, that's okay. The awareness is all. Next time it will be easier. You will remember sooner. That's how it works.

Good ki!
Judy R.