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.