Dear Teachers...

[Guest guest]

Dear Teachers...

 

Teachers should realise the importance of ethical, Dharmic and

spiritual development. These three should be present in teachers to

a greater degree. The reputation of teachers and their success

depend primarily on their conduct. The future of numerous innocent

children is in their hands. The good conduct of the students depends

on the example set by teachers. The teaching profession is a highly

responsible one. Today there are three kinds of teachers. The first

type consists of teachers who revel in "complaints". They are the

teachers with grouses of one kind or another. The second type

consists of teachers who "explain". They "explain" what the students

have to learn. To the third type belong teachers who "inspire". This

category of teachers arouse the enthusiasm of students and inspire

them to take deep interest in their studies. Such teachers are

becoming rare these days. Once the enthusiasm of the student is

aroused, learning becomes a creative process. The teacher should

patiently understand the problems of students and help to solve

them. Teaching today has become mechanical, with each teacher

content to "teach" the prescribed portions of the syllabus. Teachers

should see whether the students have properly comprehended the

subjects taught to them. Any deficiency on the student's part should

be ascribed to the teacher's failure to do his job well.

 

In the field of science today, there is great emphasis on research

and discovery. But unless the results of research are applied in

practice, it will be an expensive futility. If all the time is spent

on research when is it to find useful application in practice? Nor

is there any sense of discrimination in the promotion of research.

To give an example: When I attended recently a symposium in Bombay

on "Science and Spirituality", a prominent scientist said that the

nuclear arsenals of the Big Powers contained enough atom bombs to

destroy the world ten times over. What is the sense in building up

such arsenals? If you have destroyed the world once, what is there

left for the other bombs to destroy? In the process, you would have

destroyed yourself.

 

Those engaged in research seem to be more concerned about boosting

their name and fame by their research than about promoting public

well?being through the results of their research. Nor do they seem

to be bothered about the harmful consequences of their discoveries.

There is nothing great about causing harm to others. To destroy a

million persons by a single bomb is no great thing. To do good to a

single individual in the world is more praise?worthy. The scientific

knowledge we acquire must be used for the benefit of our fellow?men.

Only that is proper education which prepares the student for

disinterested action. The pursuit of the science of the Spirit

(Parartha Vijnana Sastra) is more essential than involvement with

the physical sciences (Padartha Vijnanamu).

 

Radiosai Journal Volume - 2 Issue - 15

http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_02/15Aug01/03_Spiritual_Blossoms

/01_Sathya_Sai_Speaks/sai_speaks.htm