Dojo – Holding Space

“..it is impossible to, “teach” as such.”

From time to time I get people approach me and say things such as, “You’re a great teacher.”

I disagree and I dislike the term, “teacher.” There is no such thing. There are only people who want to learn and people who want to facilitate learning.

If anyone could teach we would have educated rocks walking around and it would be possible to make stupid people smart. Or at least stop them from getting into politics.

But we can’t. So let’s be honest. Thanks for your kind thoughts and words but the words mean nothing to me since it is impossible to, “teach” as such. The idea that it is somehow possible to impose learning is as self centered and narcissistic as believing that you can “grow” plants. An impossibility which would require some form of magic to be possible. With both imparting understanding and cultivating plants, the growing and learning happens because of the laws of the universe that are in place doing the real and actual work. All a, “teacher” can do is as a gardener, prepare certain conditions, care, nurture, protect, observe and occasionally intervene to make the process more likely. The growing is done by the plant. The learning by the student.

You owe yourself the praise of being a good learner. The credit is all yours. And then move on. So we are clear there are infinite levels of learning and no arrival since learning is definitively not a collection of data as much as it is an attainment by opening internal channels to what already exists, then rearranging all the possible combinations which in turn opens up a new wormhole that starts the process again at a newer level and so on ad infinitum.

At best we are fellow travellers. I learn from you.

You learn by exposure. Safe exposure enables you to continue learning. That’s it. Without judgement the universe is present.

Creating and holding a safe space is all a, “teacher” can do. Making possible an environment for learning, guiding and facilitating. Experience is necessary. You cannot learn much from a parrot, a tape recorder or a book.

Repeating and recitation is not learning. A degree, just like a black belt is not “the end,” or any “arrival” as such, but the beginning. Permission to start learning through practice. Prior to that it was pre school preparation.

In conducting classes the sensei’s primary function is not that of parading his or her narcissistic tendencies or other psychological pathologies. Rather it is service. Unconditional giving. It is the maintaining of safety, serving, facilitating, noticing, and gently suggesting. Then allowance. Leaving people alone to explore, confront themselves and resolve their inner stuff on their journey.

We are fellow travellers. Rank in a dojo is bogus. In the field it has purpose since operations cannot proceed without chain of command. In the suburbs it risks becoming a cult is with a line of bullies making like monkeys pretending to have “power” over each other but adding no value to the world and society. It would be funny if it were not for the damage done.

I’m not sure who was first to notice and coin the term, “holding space” which has now become trendy in therapies but the principle is correct.

Self discovery is not easy in the midst of turmoil or battle but becomes more possible in a safe space.

A good teacher does not presume to, “know” any final answer. Rather, using basic, methodologies and proven basic techniques shares a journey of discovery. Together.

Facilitating experience with others in a safe space without jealousy, class consciousness, ambition or judgement enables making others more powerful in themselves.

This quiet tradition, by any name in any skill is what enables human upliftment. To create an environment of facilitation, of safety where people can express and collaborate to learn and discover with no agendas or outcomes, few parameters and allowance of discovery to creatively work together to unfold possibilities.

In such a safe space you can relax to focus in a way not possible in a battlefield.

A dojo is not a gladiator stable. Nor a brothel. A dojo is a sacred space.

Once this principle is learned, you and anyone who has tuned in can take this space with them wherever they go. They will be more enabled and enabling and less contentious.

If you really want people to learn, make the safe environment then get out of the way!

You don’t start learning until you begin to teach responsibly. No greater opportunity exists to receive ki, to notice, to read people and situations, to set an example and to discover the depths of an art! In both combat and teaching, or anything requiring skill for that matter, you know you’re sailing when by doing less you achieve more!

Get the students started then let them explore possibilities. Supervise invisibly. Let them work. Only intervene to maintain safety and minimally guide but only when necessary.

You must overcome your own stuff to let others have their own insights and realisations. Let them go through their process. Refrain from interfering. Put aside your biases, “knowledge” and opinions.

Instruct briefly, lucidly, simply, concisely and directly. Then let it go. Within this space you have immense scope to control safety, timing, and how you serve.

Then observe and learn. Refine yourself. No knowledge is final. A class set in concrete is dead. Explore. Allow the journey to unfurl in surprising directions. Keep it safe.

During class be present for all concerned. When class ends, let it go. Like sand art, wipe it and let it go. Tabula rasa. Each time. Kill out any cultish tendencies and any desire to cling to dogma. Get on with life and let others get on with theirs.

Your role as a sensei is to share a temporary journey and to keep learning whilst maintaining optimal safety in a safe space called dojo.

A dojo is not a place but a state of protective conscious clarity.