When The Teacher And Pupil Are Located In The Same Individual

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 6 September 2025 September 5 is important in the Indian context as Teacher's Day because of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's birth anniversary. He believed that there was actually no teacher; only pupils. In other words, a teacher is a pupil and vice versa. Call it a sheer coincidence, serendipity or synchronicity, Arthur Koestler stated the same and he was also born on September 5! He was born on September 5, 1905. Koestler said, "Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual." Creativity is not merely a skill acquired through external sources, but an inherent ability within each individual. He suggests that the true catalyst for creativity lies within oneself, where the roles of both teacher and pupil exist within the same person. Through this lens, creativity becomes an intimate and personal journey of self-discovery. This observation encourages us to look within ourselves, to explore the vast expanses of our minds, and to recognize that we possess the power to unleash our unique creative potential. It highlights the importance of introspection, self-reflection, and individual growth as crucial components in fostering creativity. Ultimately, Koestler's quote inspires us to embrace our own abilities, to nurture our creative spirit, and to unleash our innate capacity to learn and create. An incident in the life of the great mystic Jalaluddin Rumi consolidates this observation. When Rumi addressed Shams-e-Tabriz as Ustaad, Shams, who was older than Rumi by 22 years, also called him (Rumi) Ustaad and said that both were simultaneously Ustaad and Taalib-e-Ilm (student). Not just creativity, even in the realm of self-evolution and enlightenment, it's the inherent and innate combination of a teacher and a pupil that uplifts and elevates an individual. No one can teach you anything (altogether) new. Creativity or newness is within an individual. " Ek Muddat Ke Baad Hua Ye Ilm / Main Hi Mudarris, Main Hi Taalib-E-Ilm " (I realized after a long time that I was the teacher as well as a student). While a teacher is required to give finishing touches, a consummate genius like Mirza Asadullah Khan 'Ghalib' needs no teacher. It's worthwhile to mention that Ghalib never had a master (Ustaad) to 'polish' his poetry. That Ghalib had a Zoroastrian teacher who honed his poetic sensibilities and taught him Persian and Arabic in his youth is apocryphal. He understood that a teacher and pupil resided in the depths and debris of his existence. Creativity is a process that requires utmost honesty and discipline. A truly creative person has the discipline of a teacher and the diligence of a student. That's why the great Roman poet Horace said, Nihil me novum docuit (None taught me anything new). While it sounds supercilious, the truth remains that Nemo te discere novum docere potest (No one can teach a new thing to you). A point to ponder. So, I wonder when I see people visit today's 'spiritual' gurus and prostrate before them in order to be enlightened and uplifted. You're already enlightened if you bother to look within. You need no teacher, no master, no leader and also no god or 'holy' book to guide you at any point in time. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/teacher-pupil-same-individual/d/136736 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism