The theme never changes, but consistency is golden!

Soka Education truly is an inspirational book, and Mr. Ikeda's ability to relate Mr. Makiguchi's experiences, mindfulness, and theories on education really is timeless. The theme of instilling in our youth as well as all learners (remember that we are all life-long learners) with the importance and duty of creating value, honor, and happiness is crucial and unwaivering. Though the speeches provided in Soka Education span nearly thirty years, the message is always the same. I value consistency in life, and any educator will confirm that consistency in the classroom is key to gaining and maintaining the respect of your students as well as enabling the learning process, rather than hindering it with confusion and social strife. To this end, Mr. Ikdea states:

"The pathology of divisiveness drives people to an unreasoning attachment to difference and blinds them to human commonalities. This is not limited to individuals but constitutes the deep psychology of collective egoism... Education is, or should be, based on the same altruistic spirit as the bodhisattva [to rise above such egoism and live in larger and more contributive realms of selfhood]." (pgs. 103-104).

The educator's role in this rising above the divisiveness and being a consistent and caring force in the lives of students is paramount, because of the educator's direct connection to and responsibilty for aiding the formation of a student's character. This, again is not just relevant to the K12 set, but also in the role of adult educators, as we are guideposts for professional practice. Could you imagine an instructor of a EMS Paramedic class showing up late, disheveled and hungover, a Vet Tech instructor treating an animal or owner disrespectfully, an climbing instructor not triple checking the knots, harness, or other equipment before sending a student up a rock face, etc.? Mr. Makiguchi expressed in numerous writings that education is to guide the process of building character formation and is a "transcendent skill that might best be termed an art" (pg. 105). Indubitably.

I challenge all educators of all disciplines to embrace their role not merely as an occupation, calling, or task, but as an art form. Hone it, embrace it, live it as though every moment of your life you are equally a learner and a practitioner, and be ever mindful of what you would want from your own educational experience, treating, respecting, and honoring your students as you would yourself with understanding, grace, fortitude, diligence, care, and patience.