Swami teaches... Methodological aspects of education

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

Light and Love

 

Swami teaches.... (16 February 2005)

 

Methodological Aspects of Education

 

Though the earth is revolving at a speed of several hundred miles an hour,

we are not aware of its motion at all. It is simultaneously moving in orbit

round the sun at 66,000 miles an hour, carrying with it all things on earth.

The earth seems firm and unmoving, while the sun and planets and stars appear

to be going round the earth.

The entire creation is a conglomeration of subatomic particles. These

particles are waves ofenergy. All of them emanate from the same source of

energy. Even the scientist who knows allabout electrons does not seek to find

the primary source of all energy-the Paratathva (theSupreme Principle).

Different combinations of atoms result in objects of different kinds like

copper, gold or oxygen,which have varying utility and value. But the primary

energy which manifests itself in differentkinds of atoms and objects is one and

the same. The Vedas indicated this truth when theydeclared: "Ekoham Bahusyaam"

("The One willed to become the Many"), "Ekam Sath Vipraahbahudhaa Vadanthi"

("The Reality is one, the wise call it by many names").

If the Universe is itself the manifestation of the one primary energy,

everything in it is also anexpression of that energy. For instance, a wall

which you see as a solid block can be seen as avast congregation of minute

particles when it is viewed through a microscope. Empty spacebetween different

particles can also be noticed. Thus, there is a difference between the

appearance of objects as we observe them in daily lifeand their inner reality.

But the external appearance is based on the inner reality. It is the basictruth

of the internal which enables us to experience the external. "Anoraneeyaan

Mahatho maheeyaan" ("It is subtler than the subtlest and vaster than the

vastest"). This means that what is subtle can become the immense. All

experiences in daily life are variation in form of the basic Reality and not

different from it.Experience of this Basic Reality will reveal how the changes

in the primary energy bring aboutthe emergence and the disappearance of

material substances. That experience is one only with nodifference. This may be

illustrated from mathematics. All numbers up to infinity are

simplymultiplication of the primary number one. It should be clear from all

this that there is one primordial power which is the basis of all that is.

 

To acknowledge it, one should recognise the cosmic basis of education.

However, scientific knowledge alone does not constitute the content of

education. Education enables you to score marks, but you also need elevation of

your personality. Qualities contribute to elevation. Education and elevation

combine to develop the human personality. It is essential that the

development of science should be accompanied by a correspondingdevelopment-of

the power of Viveka (discrimination). Vijnaana (Science) is

doubtless,necessary. But it should be combined with Prajnaana (divine wisdom).

Prajna is the essentialprinciple in man. This 'Integrated Awareness' in

Vedhaanthik parlance, Prajnaanam has beenequated with Brahman (the Supreme

Absolute).

Education should be the life-breath of human beings. By converting education

into a means ofearning a livelihood, people are forgetting the meaning of life.

Character determines life. Of course, knowledge of the natural sciences may be

firmly required. But together with this it is essential to acquire knowledge

relating to human values.

 

We are today concerned with education in Human Values. Whoever tries to

understand the human values of Truth, Righteous conduct, Peace, Love and

Non-violence properly, who practises these values and propagates them with zeal

and sincerity can alone be described as a truly educated person.

The body demonstrates the organic unity of every limb and organ. If we

fully understand the workings of this human workshop. Every limb or organ has

done its duty in harmony with the others.

Our senses and limbs demonstrate these human qualities and serve as excellent

teachers for us. Knowledge and skill are required for doing anything. The

body has to be kept in a fit condition for this purpose. All parts of the body,

from head to foot, are equally important and have to be cared for with love and

regard. Our life is like a block of ice which is melting away every moment.

Before it spends itself, devote it to the service of others. Education in Human

Values is designed to prepare everyone for this life of dedicated service.

Together with worldly education, is important to cultivate the human values

and undertake spiritualdiscipline.

There are two kinds of learning in the educational system today. One relates

to information aboutvarious subjects. The other relates to the rectification of

the individual's life. The first relates tothe physical. The second relates to

the spiritual. The former is concerned with earning a living.The latter is

concerned with the basic goal of life.

In the first type of education, you have opportunities to investigate

various matters, and arrive atscientific truths. For instance, you find out

that water is composed of two parts of hydrogen andone part of oxygen.

This enhances your scientific knowledge. But what is relevant from the social

and spiritual point of view is how to ensure fair distribution of water among

all people.

 

A complete education is that which makes a student compassionate. The true

form of knowledge is humility. The students today have a two-fold duty: One is

to face the challenges of modern civilization, the other is to protect and

preserve the ancient spiritual and cultural heritage of the country.

Society, community, or nation can be safe, secure and happy only when the

individuals comprising it are mutually helpful and bound together in skillful

and sincere service. Every generation has to receive education and training in

such intelligent cooperation and service. Or else, the world has to face

confusion and chaos. Teaching and learning have both become mechanical

routines. They have lost the freshness andjoy which vitality alone can give.

The value of the teaching process lies in raising the level ofconsciousness of

the learner, in heightening the sense of wonder and awe and in emphasising

theunity of one with all. Education must pay attention not merely to the

material and intellectual progress of the pupils but, even more, to their moral

and spiritual progress. Education should help student to live a meaningful life.

It should not direct all efforts to provide only a livelihood. Education can

claim success only when it results in the student gaining awareness of the

Divinityinherent in him and others. It has to be transmitted by teachers who

have it through a sense of duty and in a spirit of love. It has to be accepted

by students who have cultivated faith in the teacher and reverence for his

role. The teacher has to watch every word and gesture of his, every action and

reaction of his, in order to avoid any infringement of these virtues. For, the

teacher is, for thepupils, the ideal, the example, to whom the parents have

entrusted them. Women teachers candischarge this responsibility better than

men. Children can be moulded more easily throughsweetness and softness which

maternal affection implies, rather than by fatherly advice andadmonition.

Today the eternal verities proclaimed in the scriptures have assumed

bizarre forms. Sacred nature is divorced from humanity. The ancient wisdom is

in eclipse. Perverted knowledge is growing. Education is mostly based on

mechanical skills. Education today is not inculcating in the students the

spirit of compassion and kindness. Once Gandhiji told a foreigner that he was

feeling sad because education was making students heartless and lacking in

fellow-feeling. They have no sense of gratitude. Of what avail is such an

education?

Today every step of human is marked by unrighteousness. His thoughts are not

free from evil. All his desires are rooted in selfishness. Caste and religious

conflicts are rampant. Parochialism is growing. In short, humanness has reached

its nadir.

In such a situation, how can ethical and spiritual values appeal to youth?

The entire educational system should be changed. The true purpose of

education should beunderstood. Students should strive to promote blossoming of

the heart together with development of the intellect. True science should

foster the well-being of the people and promote unity amongst them. Unitywill

lead to purity and both will lead to Divinity. (Reet's compilation from, Sathya

Sai Speaks. Vol. 19, "Human values are for everyone," Chapter 5 and "The

teacher and tomorrow ," Chapter 29. Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 26, "New horizons

for the Sai Institute," Chapter 8 and "Education should develop human values,"

Chapter 35).

 

Namaste - Reet