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Taking into account that a coach or mentor is someone that has chosen to work directly with one, even to send you on tasks to do (and represent them)- and thus others see your actions in reference to them (and they and others can give fdbk from them)… but what if you can’t find such a relationship? (let alone, upon the journey to develop the fundamental basics to enter a field: the ante to enter the game and “get a seat at the table”)…
to quote from the book Mastery (Greene, Robert 2012)-
p122 “It is never wise to purposefully do without the benefits of having a mentor in your life. You will waste valuable time in finding and shaping what you need to know. But sometimes you have no choice.
There is simply no one around who can fill the role, and you are left to your own devices. In such a case, you must make a virtue of necessity. That was the path taken by perhaps the greatest historical figure to even attain mastery alone- Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)
… He had no chance for a formal education, and nobody crossed his path who could serve as a teacher or mentor. And so in lieu of that, in every city he spent time in, he frequented the public library.[ note added comment: not only the greater wealth in libraries these days, but the online-ordering of books.. even the electronic copies.. such a change– like the Videos, audios, even text-writings of the EArts Training circle… or on YouTube ]
One book that crossed his path played a decisive role in his life: Michael Faraday’s two-volume ‘Experimental Researches in Electricity.’ This book became for Edison what ‘The Improvements of the Mind’ had been for Faraday. It gave him a systematic approach to science and a program for how to educate himself in the field that now obsessed him – Electricity.
He could follow the experiments laid out by the great Master of the fielda nd absorb as well his philosophical approach to science. For the rest of his life, Faraday would remain his (Edison’s) role model.”
…………………
I wonder if any reading this have found a singular text that gives an overall method to approach the particulars (just for a for today, or for a while, or for a subject- but how to approach and thus assemble the journey)– and then the details can be approached from that?
Ie has any one found (and like to share the what, and/or what that means) a text like Edison, and Faraday, above (book, or could be audio or video course– but usually those don’t the depth to provide the foundational-structure to develop a consistent-integrated approach to .. whatever (whether QiGung, Neigung, MartialArts, or your career/profession-skill)..so often I’ve seen comments by people recently about not having a solid-footwork and a “place to stand”.. -thus the skill, beneath the skills (what keeps one from feeling they are just jumping from this to that to the next)
There are many such books. Marcus Aurelius Meditations for example. Or any of the stories about Diogenese.
But are you ready to learn, or do you want your mother to feed you ?
What can you really learn if someone is teach you ? Aren’t you really just copying like a ‘good boy’ ? Is this really what learning is ?
There is a difference between ‘becoming’ and ‘learning’ something.
Becoming is something only you can do. But you must wish to do it. You can actually use anything at all to become. Any spiritual text at all, perhaps “I Am That”, or something practical from Gurdjieff. Or the Bible.
Anything.
But you read one sentence at a time and you try to confront that sentence with all your being.
Even small things like walking. As you walk ask yourself, how can I use this situation to improve myself. You have your feet moving, you are breathing, you are conscious. What experiment can I make ? Shall I place my mind in my Dantien, or feel the souls of my feet ?
Read this :
Interesting viewpt- might add to others- although I’m not sure how to interpret the part copied below:
<>in terms of posted questions- like “What is TaiChi?” or those like it, which seems to be seeking context and instruction, and thus guidance.
–“mindfulness” or such seem to be learn-as-you-go, but can one discover as much as guidance can give? [just trying to put in relation to other questions raised.] -luck on your journey
The Mentor/ Disciple relationship has long been the main way of knowledge being handed down. I agree with the statement that not having a solid foundation to stand often leads to multiple pathways. I think that it is a difficult task to find a mentor let alone find one that has honest intentions. There are warnings in old Japanese texts about joining into mentorship with someone. In those times contracts were signed in blood. You would acquire both good and bad Karma.
I have long struggled with having a mentor. I have not seen a single text about any method. Maybe the warning to “Pay attention and not be habitual” would fit. I have heard it from multiple teachers. Maybe not having expectations from one day to the next as to your progress? I’m not sure. Maybe since we live in different times it would be good to write something down for the future travelers. Good topic though.
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