Skills and Abilities

about skills and abilities

Some Thoughts on Teaching -- from John Miller, CMU

These might be better titled ``thoughts on learning.'' In any event, over the years I've collected a variety of quotes that I have found to be insightful about what it means to learn and teach.

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1. Your study should be broad and diversified. Do not limit yourself.

2. Examine and question. Ask yourself how and why something works.

Be receptive to what others ignore.

3. Be deliberate and careful in your thinking. Use your mind to discover proper

understanding.

4. Clearly examine. Separate concepts distinctly, then decide upon the proper course.

5. Practice sincerely.

``The Five Virtues of T'ai Chi'' an early manuscript by an unknown master.

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The master shook his head. ``I could answer your questions but I won't try because you wouldn't understand the answer. Now, listen. Imagine that I am holding a pot of tea, and you are thirsty. You want me to give you tea. I can pour tea but you'll have to produce a cup. I can't pour the tea on your hands or you'll get burnt. If I pour it on the floor, I shall spoil the floor mats. You have to have a cup. That cup you will form in yourself by the training you will receive here.''

Janwillem Van de Wetering, The Empty Mirror

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Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it.

André Gide

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I warn you. Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself, and yourself alone, one question. This question is one that only a very old man asks. My benefactor told me about it once when I was young, and my blood was too vigorous for me to understand it. Now I do understand it. I will tell you what it is: Does this path have a heart?

Carlos Casteneda, The Teachings of Don Juan

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The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities... The Zen way of calligraphy is to write in the most straightforward, simple way as if you were a beginner, not trying to make something skillful or beautiful, but simply writing with full attention,