The Spiritual Task Of Education
June 2011
By Life Positive
Here’s a myth I read which goes like this:
Before we are born, in our mother’s womb we have a bright light on our forehead due to which we are able to remember our past and see our future and we are aware about the purpose of our birth on this earth. But, just before we are born, a fairy touches our upper lip with her index finger and the light goes off. So we forget our past and are unable to see our future. Moreover, we forget the purpose of coming to this planet. As the myth goes, rediscovering that ‘Light’ is the very purpose of this life.
A soul has descended here, to realise through its experiences the mission which it has come here to accomplish. How can this soul which has got into a new body achieve that goal?
We live in times when this purpose of existence is not the main focus of our awareness. The child is equipped to learn varied skills as soon as possible in order to earn a livelihood.
Parents, the education system, employers and all are focused on equipping him for a livelihood. There is turmoil within the being because the inner striving contradicts the outside expectation. What can be done?
It is only education which can help the individual realise his true goal. The task of education, indeed, is rediscovery of that Light. Educational systems must ensure the environment for facilitating the flowering of the seed planted in the soul at birth. In such educational systems the teachers should receive the children in reverence, educate them in love and set them forth in freedom. The education, while training the child in various skills, should allow the child to understand itself. Only then can it comprehend the purpose of his coming, only then can he experience the joy of living. Only then can he know how to relate with others, only then can he contribute to the quality of the society. So, it is the quality of education alone that can assist the spiritual being to become human to rediscover the ‘spiritual-ness’ within himself/herself. To help understand the True Self is the task of education.
Bindu Chowdary, Mumbai