There is a story of a young, but earnest Zen student who approached his teacher, and asked the Master, “If I work very hard and diligently, how long will it take for me to find Zen? The Master thought about this, then replied, “Ten years.” The student then said, “But what if I work very, very hard and really apply myself to learn fast – How long then?” Replied the Master, “Well, twenty years.” “But, if I really, really work at it, how long then?” asked the student. “Thirty years,” replied the Master. “But, I do not understand,” said the disappointed student. “At each time that I say I will work harder, you say it will take me longer. Why do you say that?” Replied the Master, “When you have one eye on the goal, you only have one eye on the path.”
Teaching is a privilege, or should be. In formal education, other than private, obedience is necessary because of large classes, and overworked teachers, as is demanded by a false economy. The teacher learns to fashion their teaching to the rote task and of demanding students sitting still for long periods of time. And unless they are really special and committed all that can be expected at the end of the day is a well behaved class. Teachers are expected to work long hours and achieve predetermined targets.
All is concentrated on the goal, the pass, the result
Most of our important learning we learn out of school, from our parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts’ friends and those we know. Because it is usually teaching that is imbued with love, care attention, patience and sharing, and to help us on the path to growing up, not just towards test results.