Where does learning begin - with the teacher or the teaching?

All over the world, teacher's day is celebrated on the 5th of September. Lovely cards are send to teachers by their students as a symbolic gesture of gratitude to their mentors. This special expression of love to our teachers, parents or our partners on special days is very significant. Unlike the old days, teachers teach to many students, most recently remotely so it isn't always possible to develop and maintain close relationships. In ancient India, the guru-shishya style of teaching was little different. Young students would come and stay with their teachers or the gurukul (the establishment). This was an entire phase of life guided by the teacher up until the students were ready to move on to the next phase as householders. In that process, students were influenced by the special style and personality of their respective teachers, not just their knowledge. This system, known as Gurukul (in Sanskrit Guru means teacher and Kula means family) is still prevalent in the fields of performing arts like music, dancing, fine arts, martial arts, or transferring spiritual knowledge through the lineage of gurus. Even today, before starting any performance the tradition of paying homage to the teacher is a common practice called guru vandana. It is believed that only through grace does one achieve greatness - and grace comes from the Guru and from God. In Sanskrit Guru means the remover of ignorance and it also means weight or gravitas - something that centers a person. Every year the full moon day in the month of July is known as "Guru Purnima " - when students visit their teachers, give them gifts, and touch their feet as a sign of respect to the guru and ask for their blessings. This beautiful gesture sadly hasn't always survived the modern world and it's somewhat more transactional model for learning. I had my education in Santiniketan, a center of learning that was established by the Nobel Prize winner Rabindra Nath Tagore based on principles of traditional learning. In every field of learning he tried to capture the essence of the traditional Gurukul system. Most classes were conducted in the open air under the canopy of the blue sky and under the shade of trees. In the nature study class children were encouraged to know the different characteristics of plants, birds, butterflies within their environment. Education is not only for money making or for self gratifications but the development of values and a higher consciousness to serve as a guide through life. It is valued because it also helps others to come up. Under the guidance of capable teachers, students would go to nearby villages, interact with villagers, understand their problems and help them in many ways. People from all over the world came to this university as teachers and as students. Tagore realized that education can create empowerment only when we develop the ability of the mind to go beyond rote learning to the realm of experience. That is why the motto of that university was "Here is the world in one nest." The nest signifies respect for and a relationship with the sources of knowledge - be they teachers, trees or butterflies. Peaceful co-existence and a harmonious relationship with each other is a result of such learning - an utmost necessity in today's world. Teachers who broaden our horizons are the great source of inspiration for us all. So even this token gesture of honoring them on teachers day seems to have great value in today's world.