I often reflect on the importance of right education and its significance in living. When I mention right education, I am referring not just to schooling but to the whole environment in which a child grows including family and society.
As one who had the benefit of schooling in a good boarding school and a family that was reasonably well to do, I still feel that I missed out on something absolutely crucial. I mention this in the context of what J Krishnamurti (K) had in mind when he talked about education. He often said that the purpose of education is to bring about inner freedom, the flowering of goodness, love and the transformation of society.
A friend mentioned to me a very good analogy to show what happens when the very essence of education is missing. One might end up with degrees, a good job, money, prestige and what not. And yet, sooner or later, one will see it all to be trivial if inner growth has not happened. He said it is much like getting onto the wrong train. “You are at Point A and want to go North and somehow board a train that is South bound. Whenever you discover the error, there is no other option but to get all the way back to Point A and then begin the journey to the North”.
That is why the proper nurturing of a child is so crucial. The child is innocent, fresh and receptive. Given the right education environment, the child can grow in life, deeply connected with that power house of energy that is at the source of all existence. Deeply connected with nature too. Unspoilt, sensitive, aware and truly intelligent. Most important, because of the connect with that energy, the child learns to live life rightly, free from abuse. All in all, there is the possibility of a mind that is not loaded with conditioning as time goes by. A mind that is capable of seeing things as they actually are.
I must confess that my own life matches the analogy mentioned by my friend. I was on the wrong train and by the time I discovered how badly things had gone wrong, it was quite late. My education missed out on the very essence of right living – inner growth and freedom from conditioning. Of course, it is never too late but in one’s seventies, it is that much more difficult to retrieve lost ground. Neither the body nor the brain has the health and energy to respond to the demands of an unconditioned mind.
It is in this context that the beauty of K’s teachings stands out even more. Educators need to realise the huge responsibility they have. Right education alone can lay the foundation of a ‘new mind’, of a society that is rich in goodness, truth and compassion. Without right education, the world is destined to more and more of what exists now – selfishness, violence and falsehood.
A friend sent this lovely quote by Shams Tabrizi in response to the article.
‘It is never late to ask yourself “Am I ready to change my life, am I ready to change myself?”
However old we are, whatever we went through, it is always possible to be reborn anew. If each day is a copy of the last one, what a pity! Every breath is a chance to be reborn. But to be reborn into a new life… you have to die before dying.’
How lovely in this sensitive reflective essay on the innocence of early years and the flowering therein . It’s so true most of us are travellers in a wrong direction and we all have to await till the “destination “ of realisation arrives in her own splendour , with the silent sign board “ go northwards “ or often “ go inwards “ or wherever, and with this silent sanguine signage we will start to listen to ourselves , astutely , intensely , everlastingly ….oh how I love this adorable SEPTUAGENERIAN !
Very well portrayed and observations are so true. Even in the best interest of the child, we aren’t even aware of the direction for a very long time. Also, totally agree with the “never too late, better late than Never” comment! It’s seems more important to begin!!
If we can ignore the “lost ground” and leave the “unconditioned mind’s” reference aside for a moment, there can be a beginning with its own energy and interest. And that would be experiential truth unfolding a path anew!
As regards the energy to respond to the demands of an unconditioned mind…
The moment one observes that one is conditioned, the energy that was blocked due to the conclusions is now available ….isnt it?