Subject Everything a Teacher Says To Our Own Careful Scrutiny

“Part of our job as students is to give our teachers the right amount of power. This means allowing them to influence us, perhaps quite deeply - but not allowing them to brainwash us, control us, or make us smaller or less human. In practice, this means subjecting everything a teacher says to our own careful scrutiny. As you attend to a teacher's words or actions, do they seem right to your heart, your gut, and your head, or do they feel off the mark? Do they emphasize that the teacher is every bit as human as you, or do they imply that the teacher is more or better than human? Does the teacher consistently serve your (and other students) best interests, or do they appear to serve or gratify themselves? ……..Scrutiny isn’t an insult to any teacher. On the contrary, it’s a way to take them - and yourself - seriously. The more insightful a teacher is, the more your scrutiny will validate what they say and the deeper their teaching will sink in.” - Scott Edelstein.

One of the things I always said to students on courses, and which I know Trevel Henry and Robert Landells at NFPS Ltd do too, is don’t simply accept what we teach.

Feel free to challenge us and ask us any question you like because it helps us as trainers grow and serve you better.

Even the Buddha never expected his followers to blindly accept the truth of his teachings. Instead, he encouraged his followers to verify the truth of Dhamma by making their own honest observations about self and existence.

So if the Buddha encouraged that approach, why shouldn't we?

Therefore, be very careful of any person or organisation that provides you with anything that they say cannot be questioned, challenged or subjected to scrutiny.

In fact I would go so far as to say do not engage with any person or organisation that provides you with anything that they say cannot be questioned, challenged or subjected to scrutiny.

Such an approach is akin to ‘competence bypassing’ where such a person or organisations need to be in total control to intentionally bypass the needs and competent processes in keeping all people (staff and service users) safe.

This is why on the Quantum Thinking, Mindfulness Meditation & NLP Workshop I provide the underpinning modern scientific backup to the ancient wisdom I teach on the course - https://www.markdawesqt.com/training

And that is why Trevel and Rab at NFPS Ltd continue to provide the legal, health & safety and biomechanical knowledge that underpins what they teach as part of the BTEC Level 3 Physical Restraint Instructor Award Course as well as all of the other courses they offer.

Therefore, never be afraid to ask questions or challenge your teacher!

Best Regards

Mark Dawes