from PLATO AND ARISTOTLE: The War on Terror (2006) .

Art is the only lie that tells the truth: In the art of learning, separation between teacher and student disappear. Aristotle would descibe sequence of information exchanged, knowlege processed and wisdom applied. Plato would state that teacher and student, in fact, become one. He would further posit that this union is divine and represents much of what is best about our common humanity: the capacity to humble oneself (teacher or student) before the unknown in order to grow, to evolve. I aspire to be a 'life-long learner,' in the contemporary parlance, based on the premise articulated below by two universal masters of learning:

1

As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said "...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again...." (John 3:3-7).

2

In the beginner's mind there is no thought, "I have attained something." All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something. The beginner's mind is the mind of compassion. When our mind is compassionate, it is boundless. ...how important it is to resume our boundless original mind. Then we are always true to ourselves, in sympathy with all beings, and can actually practice

--ZEN MIND, BEGINNER'S MIND: Shunryu Suzuki-roshi