From the Pulpit to the Battleground: The Essence of Authentic Teaching

Sharing is caring!

Its been awfully a while, that i would pen down my thoughts and feelings, however i realised its time i restart. In my own theater of life, i noticed that there exists a stark contrast between two kinds of protagonists: the preacher and the warrior.

The preacher’s voice resonates with the wisdom of books, tales of mentors, and stories from ages gone by. Their knowledge, while vast, often lacks the raw, unfiltered flavor of experience. It is akin to learning about a storm through a textbook, without ever feeling the chill of the wind or the sting of the rain. On the other hand, there is the warrior. This soul knows not just the stories but also the blood, sweat, and tears behind them. They plunge headfirst into the turbulent waves of injustice, face failures, confront societal wrath, and sometimes, lose their cherished ones in the process. Their lessons are etched not just in words but in scars, both visible and invisible.

As Leo Tolstoy once said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

If one truly wishes to make a difference, then passive knowledge won’t suffice. True teaching calls for immersing oneself in the battles, understanding the nuances, and holding the hands of those faltering, guiding them through the rough terrains.

When teachers detach themselves from the ground realities and base their teachings only on second-hand knowledge, they risk becoming mere figureheads. Such teachers, draped in titles and accolades, may dazzle momentarily, but their shine fades in the face of genuine trials. Without firsthand experience, their guidance can at times be superficial, depriving many of the profound insights they seek. Avoiding the challenges of the present by taking refuge in the past or in others’ experiences is a profound disservice to those we lead. It’s akin to claiming expertise in a musical instrument merely by reading about it, without ever striking a chord. True, genuine teachers, are those who’ve walked the path they ask others to tread. They are not just narrators but participants in the epic of life. They face life’s adversities head-on, prepare for them, battle them, and rise as beacons for others.

Maya Angelou beautifully expressed, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Real teachers make people feel seen, understood, and empowered. Their guidance comes from a place of empathy and lived experiences, not just tales told from an armchair.

To every soul reading this, the call to action is simple yet profound: Be a warrior, not just a preacher. Study, Experience, Go into the field, Dive deep, experience life in its myriad shades, and let your teachings be a reflection of your own ongoing battles, losses and triumphs. For in the end, true teaching isn’t about how many followers one has but how many more teachers one creates. And the best way to forge teaching is by being a living, breathing example of courage, resilience, and authenticity.

The Photo of Mauii in this blog, post from the movie, Moanna, resembles and reminds him of all his battles, achievements and failures. It also helps him realise in the end, how he needs to be a better person, and how he needs to Continue to make newer learnings and experiences.

Let us all strive to be more than just voices. Let us be echoes of genuine experiences, genuine struggles, and genuine victories. Let us be real, raw, and authentic. For in that authenticity lies the power to inspire, to change, and to lead only to make that impact and that difference, society truly needs.

Sharing is caring!