Teacher’s day is celebrated every year on the 5th of September in India. Formative days of one’s life are based on a teacher. A teacher enlightens and awakens the hidden treasures of a soul. It is commonly said – ‘Guru devo bhava’ – Guru is considered to be next to God in Indian tradition. A teacher or a Guru is a person who guides and helps others in the process of gaining knowledge or skills. What about a spiritual teacher or guru? What is their role? The role of a spiritual Guru is much more unique in the sense that he dispels the darkness of spiritual ignorance and bestows divine knowledge and spiritual experience. He is a human vehicle whose body, mind and words are used as a channel by God to show the path of enlightenment. He is a lighthouse showing the path of self realisation and God realisation.
A spiritual teacher, through his selfless service, is able to empower students and make them morally strong by helping them to imbibe values and lead a life of stability and contentment. Such a teacher can guide students through their troubled period like a compass, giving direction and meaning to their lives and safely, taking them to their destination. Wavering mind’s confusion can be cleared by spiritual teachers by imparting true guidance and sustenance.
The role of a teacher in the society is both significant and valuable. A good teacher is one who becomes a role model for his students. Teacher’s visionary leadership can play an important role in making a student’s life spiritually enlightened. A teacher can actively participate in social activities and make students understand the value of cultural, ancestral heritage. One of the most important roles of teachers is towards the young generation. It is the youth who will decide the world’s future and teachers can help them realise their intellectual and spiritual potentials and help them make the best possible choices for themselves.
The qualities that a good teacher exhibits are as follows:
Selfless services: They never think of their own benefit; they serve without expectation, tirelessly day and night.
Truthful: They are true to themselves and true to the society. They practise what they preach. Mahatma Gandhiji – the best example of being true. Gandhiji said “My life is a message”.
Committed: A good teacher is committed towards his duty of enlightening the lives of those who come in their contact. Mother Teresa’s life was a life of commitment. Even though she had a lot of temptations from her countrymen, yet once she came to India, she served the poor till her last breath.
Equanimity: The poor and rich, the young and the old, the beautiful and the ugly, all are equal in the eyes of a spiritual guru. No discrimi- nation, no division. All are one.
Deep love: They show unconditional love towards one and all. Only good wishes towards all – friends or foes. Their love changes even a demon into a deity.
Discipline: Their personal disciplined life throws an impact on student’s life. The seekers learn from their practical lifestyle. Their body language becomes a message without words being used to express.
Patience: The greatest quality of a good teacher is his or her patience. Let the behaviour of a student be the way it is; they persevere and lovingly keep teaching them till they learn and become perfect.
The presence of such teachers in our society is like having a diamond amidst a coal. Their sparkle dispels the darkness of ignorance and sorrow and brings peace and happiness in life. Teachers inspire seekers to cultivate qualities of love, empathy, tolerance, patience and humility and create a chain of spiritual leaders who can successfully take the responsibility of establishing a world of harmony, happiness and health.
Shri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, Mahatma Gandhiji, Mother Teresa etc. are a few great teachers who have moved the world with their strong values and effective personalities and inspired a generation of effective leaders.
The person, who gives value-based knowledge to students, is a true Guru or teacher. On this Teacher’s day, let us all invoke such great gurus and salute them for their invaluable contribution to the society.