Jhamtse Gatsal--who's teaching who?

Here at Jhamtse Gatsal I prepare lesson plans, write things on the blackboard, and am called Madam; I have my subjects, my students, and my chalk. All these mysterious clues seem to suggest that I’m supposed to be the teacher.

But the truth is, the children have much, much more to teach me than I have to teach them. From the first moment we arrived at Jhamtse, greeted by a line of smiling faces, beautiful blossoms and exuberant “hellos,” they have led me through one big lesson on openness, usefulness, generosity, and positive energy. Each wonderful student of Jhamtse Gatsal is a model of the kind of person I try to be.

Innumerable mirrors like these are held up every single day, and each time they lovingly remind me of my own reflection:

Streaming to and from mealtime, prayer, bathing, or anywhere at anytime, each student yells a full-bellied, lively, genuine “GOOD MOOOOORNING (or afternoon or evening) MAAAAAADAAAAAAM!” With each greeting of theirs I ask myself, “How can I now be more excited, positive, and inclusive of the people around me?”

If I’m carrying something from one place to another, I can’t take a step without someone cheerfully asking, “Can I help, Madam?” Seeing them unwaveringly help do laundry, dishes, sweeping—and even the way they so mindfully line up their shoes outside the houses—I wonder, “What can I do? How can I be more useful? What do they need?”

One afternoon a younger girl started crying alone in the breezeway. Hardly a moment went by before three older students rushed in to comfort her. The way they unconditionally give their energy for the benefit of others and succeed so well in caring for each other makes me ask, “In what ways can I show more love? How can I be more caring and supportive of others?”

The absolute capability and deep goodness that Jhamtse Gatsal students show through their learning, playing, and everyday living are, for me, enlivening experiences of what a loving and successful community can create.