Gentle Teaching is a concept and a way of conducting your life that can be very beneficial not only to you, but also to those that you consider important. It is a method of producing the most positive manifestation of our relationships as possible. It is what I embody in my personal, private, and work life that enables me to enjoy what I do. Gentle Teaching stories, means treating people with dignity, respect, and compassion. It is about treating people the way I expect to be treated by others. It is about accepting people for who they are and using warm and welcoming forms of interaction that lead to amicable relationships. This is how I treat my team, the people I support, my colleagues, and family members.
I realize that people have differences in personality, preferences, and opinions, but that does not deter me from treating others with utmost respect and understanding. Each person in this world has experienced different circumstances throughout their lives, and I intend to express love and compassion toward all – regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, background, etc. The central focus of my interpretation of Gentle Teaching revolves around relationships where feeling safe and loved is mutually considered, and where the notion of unconditional love is paramount.
Currently, I support two young men and I exercise the philosophy of Gentle Teaching with every interaction. Unconditional love, of course, is an essential element that helps facilitate our relationships. However, in order to understand the importance of this philosophy, we must ask ourselves – why? Why is Gentle Teaching so effective? And what does it help us accomplish? Well, Gentle Teaching has helped me build and develop relationships with those that I care about the most. The unconditional love that I provide for my family is mutually beneficial and brings us closer together each and every day. The patience, compassion, and understanding that I provide to the individuals that I support cultivate strong and positive relationships. I am then able to reciprocate these same sentiments to my colleagues at work and to my team members.
All in all, it is an approach that I carry forward throughout my relationships in my personal and private life. This approach minimizes the harm inflicted and maximizes the connectedness among the individuals that I interact with. It is only through this behavioural adaptation that develops a sense of mutual trust and respect. However, it requires an immense amount of courage to enact this lifestyle and to consistently operate one’s life embodying the philosophy of Gentle Teaching. Ultimately, it is about making the other person feel safe, loved, loving and engaged. This person-centred approach allows others to trust us in their presence and learn from each others’ experiences. In the bigger picture, this way of life is vital to moral development and is key to human interdependence and compassion.
Belal
COR family member
Instead of just being nice, I’m mindful of my 4 Gentle Teaching tools.
