Learning and Teaching

I write this not to criticize any individual, but to share my thoughts on the modern trend in learning and teaching.

One day, a full-time worker called me, requesting that I teach him on a certain topic so he could learn and share it with others. I agreed, and we scheduled a date to begin the class. During the first session, he asked a few questions about Yoga and why it is opposed by so many Christians. I gave him the standard explanation. That was the end—I never heard from him again.

On another occasion, a devotee of the Lord reached out and mentioned that some Christians, particularly pastors in various parts of the country, were showing interest in contextualization. He was in contact with them and teaching on this subject. Due to the pandemic, he couldn’t visit them physically and was instead conducting virtual classes. He requested that I also teach some classes for these pastors and share my thoughts with his local group. I agreed but explained that I had to care for my mother, which is my first priority. I suggested we find a time that would work for both of us. While we were talking, my mother called me, and he kindly suggested I attend to her first. I asked him to call me back to finalize the details—but he never did.

I don’t know their reasons for not following up, so I can’t judge. However, I am not someone who chases after people. I never called them back to pursue the matter further.

This trend is not limited to spirituality or religion; it seems that many people today prefer to be spoon-fed rather than take the time and patience to learn deeply. I’ve noticed this not just in requests for teaching, but in group discussions and study sessions as well. There’s often a lack of discipline when it comes to learning and teaching. People leave during discussions—usually to take urgent phone calls—and return later. Some arrive late, long after the discussion has progressed, and though they may catch up, they miss important points that are essential to understanding the context.

The situation has worsened with virtual meetings and classes, a necessity brought on by the pandemic. People join and leave at their convenience, and while I understand their personal constraints, I wonder how much they are truly learning or teaching in such a setting.

In general, personal interaction is crucial for effective learning and teaching. While we no longer have the traditional Gurukulam system where students lived with their teachers for years, even modern schools provided a personal connection—at least face-to-face contact between teacher and student. I believe this personal connection is vital. With schools and colleges closed, students are forced to learn through virtual classes, which is understandable given the circumstances. However, I question why we continue to rely on this method for our spiritual learning, especially when maintaining our devotion and understanding of Muktiveda is so important.

This doesn’t mean I am against virtual classes, meetings, or conferences. But we must prioritize quality in both teaching and learning. At the end of any virtual session, participants should feel they have gained something valuable for their spiritual journey with the Lord.

To achieve this, we need to insist on maintaining discipline—full participation from start to finish. We should schedule sessions at times that allow participants to engage fully. If necessary, we can reduce the duration of the sessions to just half an hour or one hour. Additionally, smaller groups might be more effective than trying to maximize attendance in a single session. I would even go so far as to suggest one-on-one discussions between individuals.

This is the approach I am currently following.

9-7-2021