For anyone else reading, I'd love to know what your dynamic with your Guru is, and what sort of strategies you use to facilitate a healthy power balance and open communication?

Thanks for the prompt response! No haven't yet voiced this concern to my Guru but I think I'll try doing this at my next class. I'll make sure to do this veryyyy gently haha. I'm just worried about upsetting her and her saying that she will stop teaching me. In any case, I guess finding a Guru for life can take a bit of trial and error. If she can't handle a gently nudge then perhaps she just isn't the Guru for me.

Hi Saberi, Really appreciate you facilitating open discussion around this topic. I thought I'd share something I'm finding challenging at the moment. I learn from a well-reputed Hindustani Classical Music teacher (instrumental) and I have found that the typical guru-shishya relationship can be quite toxic at times. Being forced to be submissive, paying high fees for classes that can sometimes last only 20 minutes (over Zoom) all while the teacher is watching tv in the background and the inability to ask genuine questions to the Guru. Of course there are many positive aspects to the guru-shishya parampara. However in the current times of the world, where teachers and students share mutual respect, where teachers teach students with dignity, I find this challenging. It can really shatter my self esteem after a class and leaves me feeling not only unmotivated, but also unworthy. Note: I've grown up and live in a western country so I am used to having school teachers who spend time ACTIVELY teaching you with respect and kindness. Any other classical music students reading this who can relate? Saberi- would love to hear your perspective.