holistic education

Child suicides are increasing at an alarming rate in India.Pondicherry has the highest ratio of 35.6 per 1 lac of population as against the national average of 11.1.This is primarily due to excessive pressure on the child both at school and home to get higher grades.Even if the child has no aptitude for the subject,he is compelled to excel at it.
Learning has taken a back seat in all educational institutions in India.The entire educational scenario is bleak as it has become grade-centric rather than learning centric.This pattern is stifling the latent creativity and imaginative capacity of the child..In almost all private schools in India children have become caricatures of Humpty Dumpty with large bellies and specs.Most of them look drugged and stupified.There are hardly any smiling faces to be seen.Due to lack of space,sports and physical exercise are being neglected and more priority is being given to installing computers and TV sets.There are hardly any libraries in schools and children prefer to play computer games or watch soap operas.Schools resemble some prison establishments with photo IDs hanging around their necks.If this trend continues children will soon become nervous wrecks completely jeopardising India's future.
Education to be meaningful should be holistic with a balanced approach to academics,sports and co-curricular activities.Learning should be fun and spontaneous.Each child should have  full opportunities to explore his talents.The spiritual dimension has to be given the topmost priority.
The child looks to his teachers and parents to give him the necessary guidance and support.Discipline,sincerity,affection,hygiene, and team-spirit have to be nurtured in every child,if he is to grow up to be a mature and sensitive individual.

sanskrit-language of the future

ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु
मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah |
Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu
Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Meaning:
1: Om, May All become Happy,
2: May All be Free from Illness.
3: May All See what is Auspicious,
4: May no one Suffer.
5: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.



ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya |
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya |
Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Meaning:
1: Om, Lead us from Unreality (of Transitory Existence) to the Reality (of the Eternal Self),
2: Lead us from the Darkness (of Ignorance) to the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge),
3: Lead us from the Fear of Death to the Knowledge of Immortality.
4: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.



ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पुर्णमुदच्यते
पूर्णश्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam Puurnnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate
Puurnnashya Puurnnam-Aadaaya Puurnnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Meaning:
1: Om, That is Full, This also is Full, From Fullness comes that Fullness,
2: Taking Fullness from Fullness, Fullness Indeed Remains.
3: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.




ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥Om Bhuur-Bhuvah Svah
Tat-Savitur-Varennyam |
Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracodayaat ||

Meaning:
1: Om, that (Divine Illumination) which Pervades the Bhu Loka (Physical Plane), Bhuvar Loka(Antariksha Loka or the Astral Plane) and Suvar Loka (Swarga Loka or the Celestial Plane),
2: That Savitr (Divine Illumination) which is the Most Adorable, 
3: On that Divine Radiance we Meditate,
4: May that Enlighten Our Intellect and Awaken our Spiritual Wisdom.





ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥Om Saha Nau-Avatu |
Saha Nau Bhunaktu |
Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai |
Tejasvi Nau-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Meaning:
1: Om, May God Protect us Both (the Teacher and the Student),
2: May God Nourish us Both,
3: May we Work Together with Energy and Vigour,
4: May our Study be Enlightening and not give rise to Hostility,
5: Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.





सुरवरवर्षिणि दुर्धरधर्षिणि दुर्मुखमर्षिणि हर्षरते
त्रिभुवनपोषिणि शङ्करतोषिणि किल्बिषमोषिणि घोषरते
दनुजनिरोषिणि दितिसुतरोषिणि दुर्मदशोषिणि सिन्धुसुते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ २ ॥Suravara-Varssinni Durdhara-Dharssinni Durmukha-Marssinni Harssa-Rate
Tribhuvana-Possinni Shangkara-Tossinni Kilbissa-Mossinni Ghossa-Rate
Danuja-Nirossinni Diti-Suta-Rossinni Durmada-Shossinni Sindhu-Sute
Jaya Jaya He Mahissaasura-Mardini Ramya-Kapardini Shaila-Sute || 2 ||

Meaning:
2.1: (Salutations to the Divine Mother) Who Shower Boons on the Devas, Who Overpoweredthe Demon Durdhara (literally meaning Unrestrainable), Who Endured the Demon Durmukha(literally meaning Foul-Mouthed) and finally killed him and Who Delight in Her own Bliss,
2.2: Who Sustain and Nourish the Three-Worlds and Delight Lord Shiva by Removing the Sins(i.e. Sinful Demons) by Indulging Herself in the Tumult of the Battle,
2.3: Who Quel the Wrath of the Danavas (Born from Danu), Who is Angry with the Daityas (Son of Diti), Who Dry Up the Foolish Pride of Demons and Who is the Daughter of the Ocean(as Devi Lakshmi),
2.4: Victory to You, the Destroyer of the Demon Mahishasura, Who has Beautiful Locks of Hair and Who is the Daughter of the Mountain.





गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुर्गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।
गुरुरेव परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥१॥Gurur-Brahmaa Gurur-Vissnnur-Gururdevo Maheshvarah |
Gurure[-I]va Param Brahma Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||1||

Meaning:
1.1: The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru Deva is Maheswara (Shiva),
1.2: The Guru is Verily the Para-Brahman (Supreme Brahman); Salutations to that Guru.

participatory education or open school

Education is a life-long process and must involve all the stake holders-children,parents,teachers and all the residents of the community.In evolving the curriculum all the residents of the community should be consulted.The objectives should be in tune with the cultural and social ethos of the community. There should be ample scope for experimentation and innovation.The child should be encouraged to think for himself and his views should be taken into account by the teacher.
Once the child has been taught the 3Rs,the choice of further studies should be left to the child depending on his talent and inclination.It is important that the spirit of inquiry and wonder latent in every child is preserved lifelong and the child should be encouraged to develop a bonding with nature-animals,birds and plants.
To be meaningful education should include all facets of the personality-physical,mental,vital,moral and spiritual.

guru-shishya parampara

To acquire knowledge it is imperative to follow a Guru.The choice of the Guru depends on one's calling. Once chosen the Guru has to be the guiding force in life.Physical proximity  may not be necessary but sincerity is of the utmost importance.One has to become so single-minded in mastering the subject of choice that everything else becomes insignificant.Suffering,hardship,neglect by society and ridicule have to be faced and overcome.
As one gains in knowledge,the shishya can feel the Guru guiding him from behind and gradually a feeling of calm confidence and assurance comes.A true Guru never insists on blind obeisance to his teachings but encourages revolt and defiance.As long as one is sincere to the principle the Guru represents there is ample scope for experimentation and innovation.

Education and the universal spirit

There has never been a time more amenable for fostering the universal spirit in mankind. Scientific advances in the field of communication,travel,entertainment and commerce are enabling billions of people all over the globe to share,exchange and transfer their ideas,feelings and resources to each other without any inhibitions or fear.
The youth are at the forefront of this cultural and social revolution. They are travelling all over the globe in a spirit of adventure and goodwill.They are open to experimentation and trying out new ways of living. Social media like Facebook,Twitter and Blogger are opening up undreamt of vistas and avenues for making friends and unleashing creativity all over the world.
Education methods will have to adapt to the changing times.A fossilized and standardised approach will be counter productive and will only lead to disillusionment among the children and youth.
The Internet has made it possible for everybody without distinction to acquire knowledge and pursue subjects of their interest. There is no need for anybody to stick to the school based pattern of education.All that is required is a mentor or a guide who can guide the child.It can be the parent or anybody else who can nurture the latent genius within the child.
The English language is fast becoming a universal language of communication and education.There are imminent signs that the Social media will usher in revolutionary changes in thought patterns all over the world forcing the authorities and politicians to adopt a more liberal,tolerant and flexible approach while dealing with global issues.
Social problems like poverty,illiteracy,malnutrition,gender violence and civil strife can easily be minimised if there is a global approach to tackle these issues. International bodies like the United Nations,The Commonwealth,the EU,Asean and SAARC can work in tandem to tackle the serious issues facing mankind.
Human Unity is inevitable and only human imbecility and stupidity can prevent it from taking place.Sri Aurobindo

A public appeal for funds

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.Eleanor Roosevelt
A small group of committed individuals based in Auroville,India is involved in a project to usher in revolutionary changes in the Education methodology being followed all over the world.
We believe that the real purpose of education is growth of the consciousness and not success. The present utilitarian model of education has outlived its purpose and there is an increasing awareness all over the world for a more integrated and balanced approach to education.Education should include the development of physical,mental,vital,moral and spiritual aspects of the human psyche.
Every child is potentially a genius and should be allowed to follow his natural bent.The true role of the teacher is to be a facilitator and guide.
All those who subscribe to this point of view are invited to join in this revolutionary endeavour.Any financial contribution howsoever small would be welcome. Being a charitable body we are entitled to tax exemption under section 80/G of the IT Act.
Please contact bhagwat.umesh4@gmail.com

science and spirituality

India will teach to the world that matter is false unless it is a manifestation of the spirit. The Mother
The dichotomy between spirit and matter has been the subject of debate since times immemorial.The Vedic Rishis and the Greek philosophers grappled with this question but could not arrive at any definite conclusions. There were periods in human history when spirituality was the determining factor behind all activities but such periods were of a comparitively shorter duration. With the development of reason and science, the spiritual element in the human psyche was virtually extinguished.It was left to a few brave individuals like Ramakrishna Paramhansa,Swami Vivekananda,Sri Aurobindo,The Mother,Osho and others to keep the spiritual element alive for humanity.
The Western Culture which has dominated for the last four millenium is based on individuality,strife,competition,material affluence and science which have made the whole world unipolar and unbalanced.
The time has now come to find a synthesis of Western Science and Eastern Spirituality to restore the balance and ensure a safe passage for humanity towards its next step.We owe it to the future generations to forsake the mutually antagonistic approach and move towards a harmonious and cohesive approach.
Education methods all over the world will have to be completely revamped and a more integrated approach adopted. The internet has opened vast possibilities for people to study subjects of their choice at their pace and leisure.The future lies with those individuals and societies who can quickly adopt a more flexible and evolving curriculum.