Learning without Teaching

 Learning without Teaching

A young man approached a Monk to learn some essential life skills. The Youngman was received by a monastery caretaker and he was guided to the monk's room. The monk told him to sit and the monk was silent for an hour, the young man was becoming restless and interrupted the monk, saying "you can come back tomorrow."

The Youngman went to the monastery on the 2nd day and the caretaker guided the young man to a garden, where the monk was observing a weaver bird, the monk told the young man to stand beside him, and after a few minutes, the monk said "come back tomorrow" by the time the young man tried to speak, the monk left the place.

The Youngman went to the monastery on the 3rd day and the caretaker guided him to a hall. The monk told the young man to sit beside him and he was listening to people's problems without interrupting them, after answering a few questions, he told the young man to come back tomorrow, and the young man agreed.

On the fourth day, the young man reached the monastery and was received by the monk. The Youngman quickly asked, "Master, when are you going to teach me?"

The Monk, replied, " I completed my teaching yesterday."

The Youngman was surprised and asked, "You never spoke a word to me, how do you claim, you taught me?"

The Monk said "Not all teachings happen by either preaching or Interacting"

The Youngman asked "Master, If you don't mind, can you tell me what you taught me"

The monk said " First day I taught you the power of silence, When I was silent, you also maintained silence.

On the second day, I taught you the power of focus while I was focusing on the weaver bird.

On the third day, I taught you the need for being a good listener while I was listening to people.

The monk said "My dear young man, remember these four essential life skills

 1. Silence helps you to connect yourself with self

 2. Unwavering focus helps you to reach your goals

 3. Listening helps you to understand others and respond better

 4. Patience, though I didn't teach you, you learnt it yourself by coming back every day, without losing your temper

These four essential life skills help you to acquire many other skills required for your life.

The Youngman with a sense of gratitude profusely thanked the Monk, and the monk acknowledged it.

When the young man was leaving the monastery, there was one more young man walking inside the monastery, he stopped and asked "What did they teach you?

The Youngman smiled and left the place without answering anything

 M.L.Narendra Kumar