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Sai Ram
Light and Love
Swami teaches... 2 - 7 Nov. 2006
Stop Not Until the Atmic Principle has Obtained
Part 1.
The entire Cosmos is governed by God;
God is governed by Truth;
Truth is governed by the Supreme Wise;
Such a noble one is equally Divine.
The Universe is subject to the sway of the Divine. God is the embodiment of
eternal Time. The life-span of human is very limited. Because of the limited
time-span, human is bound by the passage of time in terms of hours, days,
months and years. All the latter are by their intrinsic nature transient.
It is indeed a pity that this
eternal time should be considered as a fleeting moment. Human's 'actions are
governed by the change in time and circumstances.
Time is moving fast like a stormy
gale. Human's life is melting away every moment like a block of ice. Months
and years are rolling past in the wheel of Time. People have to ask
themselves how they are using the time that is given to them. In a year
there are 3,15,36,000 seconds. How is human using these precious moments?
If this sort of enquiry is made it
will be found that the average human spends most of time on mundane
activities. Usually not even ten minutes or ten seconds have devoted
wholeheartedly to spiritual enquiry or self-examination.
How many eras are disappearing in
our own epoch! Eras come and go, epochs roll on, but human's mind remains as
before.
In every individual, animality, humanness and Divinity are present. (Today
what is happening is the growth of the animal tendencies. As a consequence,
qualities like kindness, compassion and sympathy are not to be seen mostly
anywhere. Animals have no internal vision or any power of discrimination).
Human being, however, is endowed
with internal vision as well as the power of discrimination. Human endowed
with a mind, which confers on him/her vichara shakthi (the power of inquiry,
analysis, and reflection of the nature of the Self or truth). The Divinity
has to manifest itself from within.
It has to be realised by own
efforts. The Atmic Principle is not derived from an external force. It is
based on an internal source.
Often people are behaving worse than animals. They are harassing the
innocent and the ignorant. They are behaving as demons. There is discord
everywhere - between husband and wife, between preceptor and pupil, and in
every other relationship. What is the reason for this discord? The absence
of mutual trust. No one trusts another. As a result, hatred and bitterness
are growing in the social, ethical, political, economic and every other
field. There is discord even in the scientific field.
One of the consequences is the
thinning of the ozone layer above the Earth. As a result, there is the
threat of fire disasters. There are also threats from bomb blasts of the
kind you have noticed in newspaper reports. The countries are faced with
such dangers from man-made calamities. The lack of trust has blinded people
towards each other.
These dangers can be averted if
people realise the sacredness of human existence and Nature.
The mind is the cause of differences and by control of the mind can
differences be eliminated. Nine forms of devotion for to realise own
divinity in every individual have been shared in several previous
compilations.
People are of three types: emotional type, active type and the rational
type. The emotional type of persons are engaged in activities like worship
of idols, bhajans etc. They offer worship to an idol or picture in the faith
that God in a certain form has shown to mankind the means to liberation.
However, you may worship a picture as God, but not God as a picture. You may
see God in a picture, but the picture is not God. No object exists with a
form without the immanence of the Divine in it.
Treat every object as a manifestation of the Divine. But do not reduce the
Divine to the level of material objects. The process of devotion, beginning
with adoration of physical objects, ultimately leads to the realisation of
the Divine. Without this emotional yearning for God active pursuit of the
Divine is not possible.
When devotion develops, one resorts to the path of action. And then, one
starts enquiring into what is transient and what is permanent, what is real
and what is unreal. While this discriminating faculty is essential for the
spiritual aspirant, it is being abused in the name of rationalism. The
process of enquiring has assumed bizarre forms. Few persons attempt to
obtain the correct meanings of things. By misinterpreting things and
creating confusion, many are taking to wrong courses.
The proof of the rain is the wetness of the ground. Likewise, the proof of
true devotion is in the peace of mind, the peace which protects spiritual
seeker against the onslaught of failures.
By legend when Emperor Bharthrihari gave up his throne and went into a
hermitage in the forest, the subordinate rulers who were his tributaries
laughed at the stupid step and asked him how he got the idea and what he
gained. Bharthrihari replied, "I have now gained a vaster empire, a richer
and more peaceful empire; I gave in exchange a poor barren torn empire; see
what profit I have made." Bharthrihari gave up worldly things and actions.
He explored inner joyful life of spirit.
Today (as in ancient times) people
go on pilgrimages. However, without inner call for spiritual oneness with
God only by going to a forest or visiting temples (because the others are
visiting), the inner being is not purified. Renouncing worldly things, one
must explore inner life. This prescription of sacrifice is what the Vedas
recommended for attaining liberation, immortality. (But sacrifice is not
connected with actions of killing).
Gauthama Buddha saw sheep being driven to be slaughtered at a sacrifice (yajna);
he tenderly lifted a sweet little lamb on his shoulder and followed the
sheep to the special enclosure where the ruler of the state was performing
the yajna. On being told that the ceremonial killing of the lamb will bring
great good to the ruler and the state, Buddha said, "Of course you must
admit that a man, a prince, a monk is much more valuable than a tiny trivial
lamb. Kill me and win merit a hundredfold", and advised him about the inner
weaknesses and vices that are symbolised by the victims of the yajna.
Buddha argued him out of his false
attachment to the paltry benefits promised for ritual correctitude. He told
him that the prayer that rose from every Indian at sunrise and at sunset was
"Sarve janaah sukhino bhavanthu" - "Let all beings attain happiness." "The
sacrifice of a living being to secure happiness here or hereafter though
accompanied by the recitation of all the appropriate ritual formulae was a
selfish act and so, it deserves discouragement. To kill, so that you may
live longer and with fuller joy is a reprehensible act, Buddha declared.
It is comparable to the disgraceful pride of those who swagger like bullies
because they have the atom bomb which can reduce to ashes entire states and
vast cities. They make mankind cower in fear, just as the sacrificer in the
yajnas makes the victims shiver in terror.
You have to sacrifice, not a
bleating sheep or a horse or cow, but your animality, the bestial lust and
greed, hate and malice. (Emperor Sibi was prepared to offer his own flesh to
save the life of a pigeon. Many sacrificed their lives to protect the lives
of others).
Spirituality is associated today with exercises like attending religious
discourses, reciting slokas, counting beads and conducting bhajans. These
all are the different paths towards spiritual awareness what arise and awake
from within.
Moksha (liberation, devoid of delusion, freedom from bondage) is not a
specific place. Nor is it something that can be got from any preceptor or
other person. To realise one's own true Self is liberation. Obsessed with
the external world, preoccupied with the acquisition of external objects,
human's life is becoming more and more burdensome every day.
The ancients attached value to the four goals of life: dharma
(righteousness), artha (wealth), kaama (desires) and moksha (liberation).
When truth and righteousness are protected, the nation will be secure. This
is true for all countries, everywhere, without regard to nationality or
creed. Truth and righteousness transcend barriers of space and time.
The ancients gave primary importance
to dharma and moksha. (Final release or emancipation from the cycle of birth
and death, liberation is called also mukthi). The ancients considered dharma
as the basis for the world. Today dhana (wealth) is esteemed as the basis
for everything.
Recognise what holiness is associated with human life. But because of the
vagaries of the senses, human develops attachments to various objects and
persons entirely for selfish reasons. All the love human professes is not
out of affection for others but out of self-love. If this selfishness goes,
there will be real oneness. Both love and hatred will be absent. There will
be samathvam (equal-mindedness). There will be no sense of separateness.
That is true moksha (liberation).
If you desire to elevate yourself and attain a higher spiritual level, you
have to adopt the appropriate means. This does not mean trying to fly like
birds. The Vedas declare: mukthi (final release or emancipation from the
cycle of birth and death) will not fall from the sky. Nor is it to be found
in the Nether World or on the Earth. It can be got only by the elimination
of desires which constitute knots in the heart.
Moksha does not mean attaining some divine state. Divinity is within you.
All you have to do is to manifest it. That which does not exist, will not
come forth. That which exists will not go away. Everything is preseat here
and now. Hence, there is no need for any search or for any sadhana.
Do not make a distinction between "my work" and "God's work." When you make
a division, you give rise to enmity, because of differences. Where there is
enmity, there is no room for Divinity, purity and unity.
Whether you utter the name of Jesus,
Buddha or Zoroaster, or Guruji (Nanak) - it is all the same. People sacred
to the memory of Guru Nanak, who commenced the propagation of his teachings.
The hymns of Guru Nanak glorified the unity of all faiths. Collective action
was promoted. The Vedas glorified the collective spirit. It was Guru Nanak
who initiated the practice of congregational bhajans.
The achievements of ancients Bharatheyas and the greatness of their
qualities are beyond praise. Bharath is the home of many religions and
philosophies. (Modern persons take pride when they resort to clubs or
gambling places; but, they are ashamed to go to a temple or to a guru to
receive the spiritual guide).
There was a time when Bharath stood out as the example for the world in
holiness and purity. The ancient sages enthroned righteousness and gave the
highest place of honour for the spirit of sacrifice. They adored justice and
revered truth. In this way, they bequeathed to the nation its greatest
cultural heritage.
Recall for a moment the past history of Bharath. There is no record at
anytime of Bharatheyas having invaded other countries. They always adhered
to justice, protected righteousness and esteemed truth. They took to arms
only when foreign hordes invaded the country. Otherwise they never committed
aggression on any country.
(Many foreign nations plundered the
wealth of Bharath, but Bharath never coveted the wealth of any country, Not
only did they loot Bharath's wealth, but they desecrated the sacred culture
of Bharath. Foreign nations created divisions between persons. They set at
naught the sanctity of the plighted word. They undermined human
relationships. It is because of these outrages that Bharath is in a
deplorable plight today).
Reflect for a moment on the glorious record of Bharath's past history.
Bharath has always cherished noble virtues.
(Unable to recognise the purity, sacredness and spiritual heritage of
Bharath, modern consumer society's persons treat it with levity. They
consider it as uncivilized. This is totally wrong).
Bharath has been the home of prosperity, morality, sacrifice and fraternity
as example to the other countries.
Foreigners should understand the precise meaning of the word "Hindu," the
name which they associate with India. The five letters in the name of
"Hindu" represent five qualities - Humanity, Individuality, Nationality,
Divinity and Unity. These qualities are essential not only for Bharatheyas,
but for the entire world.
The modern education has polluted these qualities. Today the people have
become victims of exotic modes of living and have no respect for the
transitional culture. Such situation is common not only for Bharath but (as
a rule) for all other countries too.
Mother Bharath is shedding tears.
Find out the cause, as Lava and Kusa did when they found their mother Sita
was in tears, they asked their mother: "Oh Mother'! Why are you weeping?
Here we are, more valiant than Shri Rama. We can bring for you a Golden
Mountain if you desire it." The boys held her feet and declared that they
would not leave until she revealed the cause of her grief. See what the
children of Sita, the daughter of the Earth Goddess, did to assuage the
grief of their mother.
Which son of Bharath today is trying
to wipe the tears of Bharath Matha? Mother Bharath's grief affects the whole
world, all countries over the planet.
( Reet's compilation from, Sathya
Sai Speaks. Vol. 5. "The rules of the game," Chapter 56; Sathya Sai Speaks.
Vol. 26. "Through Self-enquiry to Self-realisation," Chapter 11; Sathya Sai
Speaks. Vol. 27. "Role of teachers, parents and Governments," Chapter 19;
and "The devotion that God loves," Chapter 32; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 28.
"Cherish Bhaaratheeya culture," Chapter 35).
Namaste - Reet
Sai Ram
Light and Love
Swami teaches... 9 -12 Nov. 2006
Stop Not Until the Atmic Principle has Obtained
Part 2
"You will do the greatest service to the state if you shall raise, not the
roofs of the houses, but the souls of the citizens." Epicetus (Greek
philosopher, ca 55 -132) has said. Swami's Teaching is this greatest service
for the citizens of the Earth.
The Motherland should be revered as the Divine. Only then there will be
worldly peace. Starting with values you end up with spiritual awareness and
peace. That is the truth. There can be no peace without values (cheers).
"Let the people know the truth and the country is safe," Abraham Lincoln
(U.S. president,1809-1865).
Without the cultivation of human values, all studies and spiritual exercises
are of no use. Without eternal values, life is meaningless. Without
spirituality there will be neither purity, nor morality nor integrity. When
there is purity in thought, word and deed, human values are practised. The
unity of the three H's is essential - Heart, Head and Hand.
All beings are flowers strung on the selfsame string to make a multicoloured
garland for the Lord. When a thorn pricks your foot, you get tears in the
eye. So too, when a worm is crushed, your heart must react to its pain. This
must be cultivated as a sadhana and practised until it becomes one's nature.
The Supreme is One, but wears many vestures. All names are associated with
the 'Divine. You should develop this feeling of equality. Only then will you
be aware of the unity that underlies the diversity.
From the fathomless ocean, countless waves arise. Though the waves appear as
different from each other, the ocean is one. Likewise, though living beings
appear in the Universe in a myriad forms, all of them are waves that have
emerged from the ocean of Sath-Chith-Ananda (Being-Awareness-Bliss ).
As long as human is subject to the feeling of duality, human cannot be free
from attachments and hatred. There can be no escape from dualism as long as
human does not recognise inherent divinity.
There are today few who recognise unity in diversity, though there are any
number of intellectuals who are engaged in promoting divisions and
differences. The world today needs righteous people who will promote unity.
Unity is vital for all, wherever
students and teachers are and whatever their country, religion or sex. Love
should be the unifying force.
Teachers over the world would
promote the sense of human unity among all people, without regard to race,
religion or caste. Imbibe the students with confidence and courage. Unify
them through Love and Love alone.
Think it over in silence, make it over in silence, make it part of your
consciousness.
Life is the chance afforded to human to recover the peace and the joy that
had lost. Human loses them through ignorance of their value and of the means
of retaining them. If only person would stay in the consciousness of
Shivoham - "I am Shiva; I am immortal, I am the source and spring of Bliss"
- would be supremely content. But human goes about weeping at own
helplessness, inadequacy, poverty and evanescence. This is the tragic fate
from which human has to be rescued.
People have belief in things which should not be believed, but do not
believe that which they ought to believe. People are ready to believe in the
statements of the author of an almanac or the predictions, but will not
believe in the sacred pronouncements of the Vedas.
The Vedas have declared: "Thath
Thvam Asi," "Aham Brahma-asmi," "So-Ham" ("Thou art that," "I am Brahmam,"
"I am He").
"So-Ham," the third Vedic dictum is
confirmed by the inhaling and exhaling that go on in everyone. But nearly no
one believes in it. People believe in the films, in novels and newspapers
and many other sources. But one does not believe in the truth of own Atma
(Self). People today pursue studies all their life, but hardly practise what
they have learnt.
Krishna acknowledged Arjuna's
devotion to Him only when the latter declared: "Karishye Vachanam Thava" (I
shall abide by your words).
As a result, human is growing weaker
and losing own humanness because of the, lack of faith in the Self. In many
cases, as humans grow in years and study more and more books, they develop
doubts. (There is no difference between books without consciousness and
minds filled with bookish knowledge. Both are equally sterile).
It is not accumulation of
information that is important, but the transformation is important.
The mansion of Self-Realisation has
to be erected on the foundation of Self-confidence, with the walls of
self-satisfaction and the ceiling of self-sacrifice. Confidence is at the
root of it all and therefore confidence is the first step is for each one to
comprehend own true Self.
Human being is called Manuja, the
one who has come from Manu, the primal author of the Dharmasastra (the Code
of Conduct for all mankind). Every human being has the latent tendencies of
a sage Manu.
People talk grandly of adwaitha, (non-dualism or monism, the Vedantic
doctrine that everything is God) of the oneness of all, but, they are the
very persons who exaggerate every difference and emphasise every
distinction.
How can human realise the Truth
about own real Nature, the Self? Only when human being experiences the
non-dualism. As long as person is steeped in dualism (that he/she and the
Divine are different), person is bound to be racked by the opposites: joy
and sorrow, the real and the unreal.
One's life should reflect the unity of thought, speech and action. Devotion
should also be the unified expression of love for God, action in the service
of God and total surrender to the will of God. These are intertwined like
the braid of a woman's tresses.
Bhakthi (devotion), upasana
(worship) and jnana (awareness of the Self) together demonstrate the oneness
of the Divine. This truth is common to all religions. However, by regarding
God as separate, human resorts to various kinds of worship.
The eye scatters your vision in a
hundred directions; the ear drags your mind to many false melodies; the
hands hanker after hundred flimsy acts. Human being Divine must have the
Divine all around all the time, in order to be alive; like fish, he must
have the water of divine joy all around him.
People would go away from the
worldly path like the fish which swim against the current in a river. That
is the way to realise the Divine. If you allow yourself to be carried away
by the worldly current, you can only meet with a sad end. Whatever the world
may think, keep your eye on the spiritual goal. When people ask for
liberation, they should understand that liberation means oneness with the
Divine.
Compared to the behaviour of the educated urban population, there seems to
be more goodness and virtue among unlettered hill tribes. Injustice and
wickedness seem to flourish in the places where you have educational
institutions and courts of law.
Human is becoming heavier every day.
Desires are getting insatiable. Selfishness and self interest are reaching
the skies. How can a heavy-loaded mind and over-burdened senses help human
to attain oneness with the Divine? This is impossible. (Usually individual
is unable to go up spiritually because he/she allows to be weighed down by
the heavy loads of possessiveness and pride).
People would concentrate on their
natural spiritual tendencies rather than succumbing to the allurements of
worldly objects. For this purpose, association with good people is
essential.
Eschew totally the company of bad
people. Good company does not mean participating in bhajans and religious
gatherings. Satsang truly means cultivating the company of one's sath
(conscience). It means being immersed in the contemplation of God. Limit,
control, regulate, set bounds and bunds; that is the way to succeed. In
essence, there is no difference between work and worship.
If people let loose their thoughts, words and deeds, calamity will be the
consequence.
(Imagine a game of football which
has no rules, the ball is never 'out', there is no foul, no corner, no
offside, no hands, nothing by which you can decide who plays well or ill,
who wins or loses).
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa once slapped Raani Rasmani on the cheek at a
spiritual gathering when he noticed that while appearing to follow his
discourse, her mind was thinking about some legal matters. Many resented
Ramakrishna's action, but after his explanation, the Raani admitted the
lapse.
Today no one can inflict punishment
on erring devotees. Each has to examine own lapses and correct him/herself.
Be simple in your method of living; let your thoughts be guided by sathya,
dharma, shanthi and prema and all actions be performed in the spirit
of dedication and in accordance with the dictates of one's conscience.
In the present day world the type of karmopasana (worship through action) is
necessary. But one should not be engaged all the life in this form of
worship. Gradually one should reach a higher level.
Before explanation the leading role
of true education by Swami what indicates the path to spiritual awareness,
let us remember three forms of spiritual exercises available for all people.
1. As this may not be an easy
process, the method of Likhitha japam has been recommended for purifying
one's mind. (Likhitha japam is a form of spiritual exercise in which one is
engaged in writing the name of the Lord). A wealthy man, who had no
peace of mind and spire his riches, went to a sage for advice. The sage
suggested to him that as a way of reducing his insatiable desires, he should
write the name of the Lord some crores of times. Unused to such an arduous
exercise, the rich man found a shortcut to achieving what the sage had
suggested, by resorting to mechanical devices for multiplying the number of
times he wrote the name of the Lord. This is a total travesty of the
spiritual exercise suggested by the sage. This sort of deception and
hypocrisy is rampant today. (Even the writing of a few names with sincere
devotion is better than filling pages mechanically).
2. The name of the Lord is like a precious jewel which must be considered
valuable and cherished as a gem. Tulsidas (author of the greatest medieval
devotional poetical work concerning the acts of Rama) sang in praise of the
Lord's name (Rama's name) as the most invaluable gift given to him by his
guru. The Lord's name should be recited with deep feeling so that it gets
firmly entrenched in the heart.
At the time of Rama's coronation in Ayodhya after his return from Lanka,
Rama gave presents to all those who had helped him in the battle against
Ravana. When it came to Hanuman, Rama could not find anything that was
worthy of the unparallelled devotion of Hanuman. Praising Hanuman's
unexcelled services, Rama said that the only fitting reward for such a
devotee was to give himself to Hanuman. He embraced Hanuman most lovingly.
Sita saw this and felt Hanuman should not be left unrewarded for his great
services. She took out from her neck the pearl necklace she had received
from her father Janaka at the time of her wedding and gave it to Hanuman.
Immediately after receiving the necklace, Hanuman removed one pearl after
another from the necklace, crushed it between his teeth, placed it close to
his ear and then threw it away. Surprised at his strange behaviour, Sita
asked him why he was treating the pearls in that manner.
Hanuman explained that he had no use
for any object that did not chant Rama's name. Hanuman immediately pulled
out a hair from his arm and kept it close to Sita's ear. The hair was
chanting Rama's name!
3. The devotee's from ancient until today yearning for touching the feet of
the Lord as a special form of worship. A spiritual significance is attached
to the touching of the Lord's Feet which sanctify the earth by walking on
it. The blood circulates from the feet to the head. When one touches the toe
of the Lord's Feet, he/she can experience a current the Divine energy
present in the toe. Lakshmana served Rama and Sita for thirteen years in the
forest. During all these years Lakshmana had never looked at the face of
Sita but revered her feet every day.
From a mundane point of view the body appears as a physical form. But from
the spiritual point of view, there is an aura around every body. It has
effulgence from which arises spiritual energy. This energy produces
vibrations. That is why it is declared: "Dharshanam Paapa naashanam" (Sight
of the Lord destroys all sins). "Sambhaashanam Sankata naashanam" (Dialogue
with the Lord destroys all sorrows). "Sparshanam Karma vimochanam" (The
touch of the Lord frees one from the consequences of one's actions). This
connection should be from heart to heart. Then the Lord and the devotee
become one. Because the spiritual significance of these practices is not
properly understood people fall a prey to confusion.
Activise your devotion. Let your actions be pure and sacred.
(Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai
Speaks. Vol. 5. "The rules of the game," Chapter 56; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol.
26. "Through Self-enquiry to Self-realisation," Chapter 11; Sathya Sai
Speaks. Vol. 27. "Role of teachers, parents and Governments," Chapter 19;
and "The devotion that God loves," Chapter 32; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 28.
"Cherish Bhaaratheeya culture," Chapter 35).
Namaste - Reet
Light and Love
Swami teaches... 13 - 16 Nov. 2006
Stop Not Until the Atmic Principle has Obtained
Part 3
"All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced
that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth." Aristotle
(Greek philosopher, 384-322 B.C.). These words are timeless and even more
actual today than about 2360 years ago.
Education lends beauty to human. Education is human's
secret wealth. Education is the source of fame and happiness. It is the
teacher of teachers. Education is the true kinsman and the third eye. Rulers
honour the scholar more than the person of wealth.
"Public education is a great instrument of social change.
Through it, if we so desire, we can make our country more nearly a democracy
without classes.... Education is a social process, perhaps the most
important process in determining the future of our country, it should
command a far larger portion of our national income than it does today."
(James Bryant Conant, U.S. chemist and educator, 1893-1978).
Swami underlines that the fate of the every country will depend at first on
the education, character of its people and character is elevated and
purified by sadhana, the hard way of regulation of behaviour and the control
of desires. Rules of behaviour must be observed by politicians, rulers,
subjects, monks, who are leaders of the community and heads of monasteries,
scholars and others, for they are exemplars and guides and their
responsibilities are greater.
What we need today is not a new system of education. Not do we need a new
social system. Such changes will not serve to solve the problems we face. We
need today men and women who are pure in mind and heart. Imagine how
students would be able to serve the nation in the future if the basic truths
were taught to them.
In a society lacking in purity of mind and integrity of
character, noble-minded human beings will be few.
(Here is meaningful to mention the distinction between
the body and the mind. The body can stand still easily; but cannot run so
easily. In the case of the mind, to keep it still and pure is difficult; but
it can be always fleeting).
The educational system should not be subject to changes
according to changes in Education Ministers. Education, like justice, should
be free from governmental interference. Students should realise that what
matters is not the religion they profess, but how far they are truly human
in their life. They should realise the sacredness of their Motherland.
Modern the educational system has to be examined. Teachers have to consider
the fundamental features of this system.
From early times, the ancient system of education
developed a broad outlook and promoted virtues and morals which served to
foster noble ideals in society. What are the changes we witness today in the
educational set-up?
It is only when this question is properly examined that
we will find the right solution for problems.
Is the responsibility that of the parents?
Or is it that of the teachers who enrich the intellects
of the students?
Or that of the national leaders who profess to strive for
the progress of the nation?
Or is it that of the administrators who are in charge of
educational institutions?
Or is it that of the writers who are producing the
literature for the students and the public?
The question may be asked whether all of them are
discharging their respective duties properly. Let them examine their hearts
and furnish the answer. Then we shall find the solutions to educational
problems.
The reality is that among students discipline has almost totally declined.
Students today, without developing good qualities, are wasting their lives
by bad association and giving free rein to their energies.
Students are going astray because their virtues are not
cultivated.
Students today are getting involved in all kinds of petty
agitational movements. Morality and discipline are not to be found.
Educational institutions are growing in numbers but the quality of education
is declining. It is because teachers, parents and rulers have failed to set
the right example that today our educational system is in shambles.
Morality and character are confined to books.
The hearts are filled with foul things.
The hands are used for selfish purposes.
This is the progress made in education today.
One repays with harm the good done to him.
One betrays the man that feeds him.
Students mock at teachers.
This is our progress.
Life goes on whether a person acquires culture or not or pursues studies or
not. In the sphere of education, every thinking individual is confronted
with baffling problems. Educational institutions have forgotten their
obligation to make education a source of strength and happiness in daily
life. Educational ideals have lost their appeal. Education has ceased to be
creative.
What is the means to restore this discipline on right lines? Is any one
trying to find out the cause of indiscipline or the means to remedy the
situation? Without seeking to find out who is responsible for this
indiscipline, it is wrong to blame the students.
Are teachers teaching to the students the message of
great men who proclaimed the supremacy of morality and character?
Who are responsible for this? In the home, the parents
are responsible, in schools and colleges, the teachers, and outside, the
governments which have tiled to provide a proper system of education and the
administrators who have not recognized their obligation to train young
people on right lines. The responsibility thus rests on all of them and not
on any one single agency.
The degeneration in education is indicated by the change in addressing a
student as "good boy" in olden days, to "bye-bye" at present.
Respect and reverence are down in the dumps. Education
has been commercialized. "When money speaks, the truth keeps silent," the
Russian proverb declares. Educational institutions which ought to be
citadels of morality, integrity, sacrifice and character, have cease to
foster morality. Students don't make any attempt to develop good qualities,
while cultivating friendships and participating in common activities.
Without cultural refinement, can anyone hope to earn
honour? Without morals, can you acquire the esteem of others? How to teach
students to develop purity in mind and heart?
Students should cultivate human values. The teachings of great and noble
souls should be taught to them. Education should be for elevation. Teachers
should teach students discipline, observance of humility and respect, and
instill in them the spirit of service to society and the sense of
fellowship.
"We are born for cooperation, as are the feet, the hands,
the eyelids, and the upper and lower jaws." (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus,
Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, 121-180).
Students should feel the sense of human unity, with faith
in God. All religions teach essentially the same truths.
Hence no religion should be despised. Because of the
Government's policies, a wrong attitude has been developed towards religion.
The concept of a Secular State is bandied about. Secularism really means
that you should have equal respect for all religions and beliefs.
Teachers, inspire your students by your example. Give no room for anger,
jealousy or hatred within you: Teach the students three P's: Purity,
Patience, Perseverance.
Students have to acquire faith, which generates love.
That is the ultimate destiny of human - the full realisation of human
potential by practising human values.
When all concerned - from students to educational authorities - function in
this spirit, they can achieve all that they want. Teachers should not be
content with merely teaching the children. They should contact the parents
and ascertain how the children are behaving at home. It is not enough to
relate stories and reach songs and bhajans to the students. They should tell
them about health, food and nature protection, about culture of behaviour,
morality and ethics.
Students should dedicate themselves to social service what leads to the
ripening of wisdom. Wisdom is the source of good qualities. Develop good
qualities and good conduct. Realise that service is the means to overcome
the ego, broaden the vision and promote love.
Every student should observe the three principles of
equality, unity and co-operation. The nation is going to pieces because of
the lack of mutual respect and unity. Education is not confined to reading,
writing and listening. Degrees do not constitute true marks of learning.
Without wisdom and spiritual knowledge, can there be real education?
True education should promote morality, character and
spirituality. There is an unseen power which underlies the physical world.
Today students should acquire both physical knowledge for
living and spiritual knowledge for understanding that which sustains life.
The two together help to make humanness blossom.
"Education has now become the chief problem of the world, its one holy
cause. The nations that see this will survive, and those that fail to do so
will slowly perish.... There must be re-education of the will and of the
heart as well as of the intellect, and the ideals of service must supplant
those of selfishness and greed." (Granville Stanley Hall, U.S. psychologist,
philosopher, educationist, 1844-1924).
Experience bliss by taking to the spiritual path of true education. Engage
yourselves in spiritual enquiry and practice at least a fraction of what you
learn. However, remember that the joy experienced will be in inverse
proportion to your desires. The greater the desires, the less the happiness
you will experience.
( Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 5.
"The rules of the game," Chapter 56; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 26. "Through
Self-enquiry to Self-realisation," Chapter 11; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 27.
"Role of teachers, parents and Governments," Chapter 19; and "The devotion
that God loves," Chapter 32; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 28. "Cherish
Bhaaratheeya culture," Chapter 35).
Namaste - Reet |
