The desire to know is in everyone. From the moment we are born, we start gathering knowledge. We must be able to distinguish between what is good and bad, what is beneficial and what isn’t, and take in only what is necessary.
Education ought to teach our children to refine their characters, hone their talents, give them a civic consciousness, and uplift them spiritually. Though there is infinite power within all of us, many of us are not aware of it. We must awaken this power lying dormant within our children.
Decrease thoughts, increase knowledge
To help our children gain this knowledge, we must teach them how to curb their thoughts and still their minds. Many students work hard so as to score high marks in their exams. They study day and night, and commit everything to memory. They might gain high marks and good grades, but they might not succeed in life.
Others might be the ones who discover new ideas and ways to implement them. Even though they might not have scored high marks in exams, they achieve great heights. There is a difference between acquiring information and making practical use of it.
God has given everyone different aptitudes and talents. Through effort, we can lead our children to develop them. In fact, they can accomplish anything when supported through one-pointed focus, enthusiasm and discipline. Discipline alone will take their lives to a higher level. A knife will not rust if it is used daily. Similarly, when our children polish their minds daily, their talents will blossom.
Education for life, education for living
Then comes the highest priority—including essential human values in our education system. It is not enough if our children’s studies only support their ability to earn a livelihood. We must also teach them to uphold dharma.
Student life is an opportunity to develop inner virtues that are more important than science, mathematics and English. For balanced and stable lives, they must also learn compassion, friendship, helping each other, discipline, obedience, respecting elders, patience, speaking kind words, not wasting food and water, and many other lessons besides.
They can imbibe these teachings not only from teachers but also from friends. But most importantly, it is the atmosphere that parents foster at home and the example they set. Supporting their creativity can give them the confidence to think for themselves and thus discover many things on their own. It will help them to maintain the enthusiasm to learn throughout life.
A final question
Once your children are adults, they might ask, “What did you give me?” You could reply, “We raised you, fulfilled your desires, provided you with a good education, purchased two decent apartments in the city and furnished them with imported furniture, and so on.”
They may then inquire, “Were you ever good role models? Did you have a loving, understanding, caring, and joyful marriage? Did you discipline us properly by instilling virtues and values?” Consider this carefully and take action now.
We must not let our children become disheartened when they encounter small setbacks. Everyone can learn from failure and move on. When we mould our next generation to become attentive, enthusiastic and patient, they, ultimately, will never fail anywhere.
For this to happen education must be built upon a foundation of love. Children can begin when they are young by learning to prostrate to their parents before leaving for school. We have heard of the saying, ‘Mātā pitā guru daivam’—‘Mother, father, teacher, God.’ What this means is that our first Guru is our mother. Then comes the father. After that come our teachers. Ultimately, it is all the Divine Will.
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