SPIRITUAL EDUCATION - (Meaning, Need And Impact)

“Na Jane Insaan Ki Haalat Kya Ho Gayi Bhagwan,
Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan.”

The above lines in Hindi say, “O God, not known, as to why the condition of man has so worsened that he is totally changed.”

One wonders as to why, in the present era, our values of life have degraded so much though we have advanced enough in scientific fields .Is it not true that many luminaries and successful persons including industrialists ,now and in the past, are/ were not highly academically qualified? They are/ were men of profound wisdom and caliber, morally sound, disciplined, well nurtured, firm belief/ faith in God, determined/ spirited, men of equanimity, endurance and hard work. They reached the summit of their goal of whatever they dreamt. They were neither masters of trickery or deception. A wise and very successful person like Henry Ford of Ford Motor Company said, ‘ Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. It is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait, the grip of your hands, and the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.’ One gains all these qualities and morals and ethics with firm faith in God and spiritual education/ knowledge and understanding. All sorts of media ( with illicit news and views ), wrong type of education, wearing skimpy and revealing clothes, drug addiction and consumption of food ( causing obesity, diabetes and heart diseases etc. ) have adversely affected our younger generation. It is deeply felt that only spiritual knowledge can make our life harmonious by blending it with scientific education. Our sectarian outlook has further shattered our lives.

Spiritual education is to develop the ability to delve deeper, expose and exalt/ surge the divinity inherent/ entrapped in human being. It is like an internally taken medicine to cleanse him of his vices. It raises the level of mind to such an extent where worldly enormities get sunk and divinity strengthens the mind and intellect. It enhances, step by step, the realization and severity of peace, thoughts and pure values resulting in total transformation. Spiritual education affords to convert our entire energy into positive, refined and constructive actions. Its effect is not visible in the form of worldly commodities but it becomes means of flow of bliss.

To stem the rot, our old tradition of Guru/ Shishya( Mentor/ Disciple ) education comes to our mind when it was considered a most difficult but important task to remove ignorance and learn about civilization with the help of a True Master. As the views expressed by some educationists and appeared in “ The Times of India” dated September 30,2010, the values learnt in the present-day schools do not work in real life. They quoted these views of Bill Gates ( a school drop-out), Chairman of Microsoft and Robert Fulghum ,an American author who learnt all his values in kindergarten. They concluded that over the years the values imbibed in a child are dependent on cultural influences and family background .Is it not true that many wealthy philanthropists gave a part of their wealth to the needy society, by many ways like charity and education etc. to keep balance by maintaining middle path? It is also sadly reported in the same press on March 31,2009 that in UK over 100,000 Christians sought de-baptism due to non-belief in God. It is beyond doubt the spirituality surpasses religion which is like a steppingstone only.

It is to remind as to what Lord McCauley, the architect of British Domination in India said about India, before the British came to India, that it was not possible to conquer India unless they broke her deep-rooted morality, ethical conduct and the bond amongst all religions. The British succeeded through their” Divide and Rule” policy and by exploiting our weaknesses including different religions.

In the light of above, it is very pertinent to impart spiritual education to the children who can be molded to the right direction at the right moment at the young/ virgin age. Unfortunately, presently they are in the habit of making girl/ boy friendship and also opting for living relationship even before tying the nuptial knot at unripe age which is very dangerous and unhealthy for the society. All life is for receiving proper education and we are still not perfect. We are ignorant of ourselves, our spirit and cosmos. That is why we require spiritual knowledge and how to connect ourselves with Supreme God and His creation. Nowadays people are always demanding something from God without ever thanking Him or pray to Him in fear psycho. It manifests selfish motive. They do not know that God always fulfills the right desires of His ardent devotees without asking.

Before proceeding further, let us know what is good or bad, wrong and right as this topic is also worth discussing for spiritual aspirant. It depends upon one’s quality of mind. One wise man said, “when you are doing something and you fear that someone is watching you, you should not do that thing as it is labeled as wrong.” In the same way, while doing something when your conscious does not permit you as the same carries bad results, you should avoid to do that thing. Swami Vivekananda said, “Anything done in selfishness is bad and the one done with selfless motive is good.” It is not known as to why people, in the whole world, are fighting in the name of religion when the result in the shape of destruction and fear is before them which is also haunting badly due to upheavals taking place .In fact, such people are cruel/ brute and not godly. The education reforms are badly needed at this juncture. Also there is an acute crisis of spiritual leadership/ mentor for guidance in real sense everywhere. Our life is incomplete, unsuccessful and wilting without them.

The spiritual person knows the art of living and purpose of life. He will defend and protect his religion, culture and human values. He is a great motivator and being calm and composed is an embodiment of non-violence and magnanimity. He bears no enmity with anyone, of any religion, caste or creed or country and of high and low status. He is of acumen personality and will not fight over trifling matters. He will remove all sorts of ignorance and lighten up the burden of heavy hearts of others with real knowledge. He is transparent and like an open book. He eats proper nutritious food to keep his body and mind balanced and healthy.

Spiritual education makes one humble, obedient, simple, truthful, trustworthy, daring; an acme of etiquettes with morals and ethics; theist, straight forward, aspirant, precocious person, far-sighted, equanimous, of top-notch values, a productive citizen, confident, virtuous, helpful, vigourous, receives plaudits from all, can cap his emotions/ tempers, not traversing or ingresses upon his limits, takes a lofty attitude, becomes a divine figure, becomes a person of gritty determination. He is free from many ailments with no anger and animosity. He remains fearless, gets sound sleep, increases his will-power, does not lead sedentary life and not be obstinate.

Apart from above said qualities he obtains an insight and is a deep thinker and a personage of knowledge and will utilize, in the best possible way, the splendid moments of life. He will spread the message of brotherhood, love and amity in the whole world. He can heal and caress the people even with human touch and benediction. He feels pleasure even in sufferings/ predicament. He is contented with his possessions.

The students are an asset and hope of the nation/world. The institutions churning spirituality leaning students along with their academic qualifications will enhance their as well as our values and status in furthering the overall development of the nation. We should bear in mind that human life is a unique and rare gift from God and thus we should make proper use of it. With spiritual studies and understanding it does not take much time for the aspiring student to know the reality that God is Supreme and pervades everywhere. Such a student will resign his fate to the will of God. India is still a fore-runner in the whole world as far as spiritual knowledge is concerned though we have fallen back a lot. By instilling and implanting the seeds of all virtues the True Master will lift-up the student in the society.

The student with best spiritual and humanistic education with full of noble and social ideas will turn out to become a diehard social reformer. He will be like a smiling and rocking flower exuding fragrance of love, peace and brotherhood in every corner of the globe. Flowers also feed the soul, being a part of Nature, and he will drink the nectar extracted from all the fragrant blooming flowers of spirituality and efface his all wrong doings. Synthesis of science and religion can make our life comfortable, fearless, peaceful and pious. May spiritual education flourish all over .