A huge part of leaning into experience for me involves becoming more aware of my surroundings. What under other circumstances might be an experience becomes at these times especially instructive, as if someone had produced a movie especially for my learning at this time. This morning, I stumbled upon a marvelous poem, written by Humbarto Maturana, Prayer of the Student.

I can imagine no better reminder of the real relationship between teacher and student than these fine thoughts

Prayer of the Student

Don't impose on me what you know.
I want to explore the unknown
And be the source of my own discoveries.
Let the known be my liberation, not my slavery.

The world of your truth can be my limitations,
Your wisdom, my negation.
Don't instruct me; let's learn together.
Let my richness begin where yours ends.

Show me so that I can stand
On your shoulders.
Revel yourself so that I can be
Something different.

You believe that every human being
Can love and create.
I understand, then, your fear
When I ask you to live according to your wisdom.

You will not know who I am
By listening to yourself.
Don't instruct me; let me be.
Your failure is that I be identical to you.

Humbarto Maturana (translation byMarcial F. Losada)