The soul of the classroom - the heart of the therapy session - is profoundly affected by the character and consciousness of the facilitator, and I’m trying to discern the difference between great teaching and exceptional teaching.

Can you remember your favourite teacher at school?

Was it their skill or their character which you loved the most?

Important questions, and I’ve been reflecting on them.

Teachers need students; coaches need clients; and a community is only as vibrant as the sum of its collective members and the space which breathes between them.

The world is a web of perceptions and reflections, and it’s always been important for me to respond to every comment on YouTube while measuring my impact through the eyes of my students, clients and the members of this community.

I’ve spent the last few years exploring the archetype of the teacher because I’m trying to understand what kind of teacher I am and want to keep becoming, but I cannot see myself through your eyes.

In truth, I’m still wrestling with this idea of ‘teacher consciousness’, and I find great comfort in the following quote from Parker Palmer:

“Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.” - The Courage To Teach, p. 10.

I love this quote because integrity is a central pillar in my imagination of the future because I don’t believe that it’s worth building your own educational community if you’re not going to teach your truth… even if personal emotions are often secondary to the practical necessities associated with building your own business.

There’s many niches within the archetypal niche, and I’ve been taking on increasingly complex responsibilities with teaching, coaching and course facilitation this year so that I can set things straight for some major announcements for 2025 and beyond - excited to share this with you soon 🌲

Returning to the question of integrity, and now turning this post towards your personal journey and whatever you’re choosing to build in this world, please make sure that you’re toiling on truthful foundations and nurturing the cohesion between your outer mask and your inner essence.

I know that there will always be sacrifice in your work and relationships, but it’s your responsibility to discover your heart and heal your fragmented parts.

- Integrity is the soil of your soul, and your forest will flourish upon the roots you choose to nourish or neglect.

- Integrity is the earth, the sky, and the spiral staircase of ascent and descent between our internal dualities.

- Integrity is the beacon in the clouds, and no amount of external praise or validation will illuminate your heart like the warmth of sincerity within.

When your work is finished and the applause falls silent, you’ll hear the echoes of your inner voice because only you will know if you created your career from courage or cowardice.

There’s no use in faking a social persona: your costume will fade against the light of self-awareness; your stage will crumble under the weight of inauthenticity; your speech will stagnate on the scales of your conscience because you are both the feather and the measure as you weigh yourself on the cusp of integrity.

Until next week,

Jordan