1. Secular Education + Culture = True Education:

Swami says: What is education? It is of two types: The first type is collection of facts and knowledge about the external world and sharing them with students. The second type is educare. Educare involves the deep understanding of the knowledge that springs from within and imparting it to students.

Swami has often mentioned that the end of Education is character. He points out: Only culture or refinement can develop good personality.

And further stresses: Only if education is blended with culture, it will shine forth as true education.

Which of the following explanations of culture or refinement are true?

i. Cultivation of discrimination between good and evil, sin and merit, truth and untruth

ii. Removal of one’s evil thoughts, feelings and actions and cultivation of good thoughts, feelings and good qualities

iii. Development of broadmindedness by getting rid of one’s narrow-mindedness

2. The Process of Moving from Book Knowledge to Practical Knowledge

Swami says: Today’s education comprises only bookish knowledge. It is only superficial knowledge and it changes every moment. So we must add ‘Educare’ to this bookish knowledge. Educare is practical knowledge.

There are a few steps between the superficial knowledge and practical knowledge. From superficial knowledge we must proceed to general knowledge.

After analysing this general knowledge one gains discrimination knowledge and knows the difference between good and evil.

From this discrimination knowledge we proceed to practical knowledge. This practical knowledge is changeless.

True and eternal education never changes when the heart is filled with compassion; it becomes sacred and aspires for the welfare of one and all. An educated person should not have bad qualities and must not indulge in bad deeds.

He clarifies: To acquire discrimination knowledge one requires general knowledge, which consists of ordinary cleverness and intelligence. Discrimination knowledge also has in it common sense. Both are essential for life in this world.

Swami gives the following example: A washerman in a village goes from house to house collecting clothes for washing. In each household the number of clothes given for washing, are noted down in a notebook. But the washerman does not have an account. By evening he returns the clothes to the respective houses.

What is the knowledge that the washerman exhibits?

Only one of the below options is true. Carefully read the above passage to increase your understanding of the different types of knowledge, as defined by Swami and then pick out the right answer:

3. Discrimination Knowledge and the Process of Moving from I to We.

Swami says: Discrimination knowledge is being used but in the wrong way. Today “individual discrimination” is used: “Is it convenient and beneficial to me and my family?” No, no. We must exercise “fundamental discrimination”: Is it good for me, my family, for the world... Is it the Truth? Only with such discrimination does the fifth knowledge, practical knowledge, dawn.

Truth is that which is changeless in eternity. Which of the following is Truth?

4. The Only Goal of Education - Truth

Swami says:

Modern education is fully self-centred. Wherever you see, selfishness is rampant. Contrary to it, true education teaches selflessness. People pursuing such type of education, give up their selfish interests and work for the larger interest of society.

Why would a truly educated person work for the larger interest of society?

5. Educare – A Process of Manifesting the Human Values

Swami teaches: Are we human beings, animals, or beasts? Of course, we are not animals or beasts; we are human beings. When we know this, we should develop befitting human qualities.

Everybody should think and ask themselves, “Do I have human qualities or not?” The human values of truth, righteousness, peace, love, and nonviolence (sathya, dharma, santhi, prema, and ahimsa) are like the five life-breaths of the human. You can call yourself a human being only when you possess these five human values. If you lack these five values, then whatever other qualities you may have, they cannot make you a real human being.

How can we develop human values?

6. Understanding Total Reality as a Composite of Everything Within and Everything Outside

Swami says: The five elements of which the entire cosmos is built up, are present also in the human being. These five elements, namely, pruthvi (earth), jala (water), agni (fire), vayu (wind), and akasa (ether) are cognised by us through the sensations of sabda (sound), sparsha (touch), rupa (sight or the perception of the form), rasa (taste) and gandha (smell).

He has advised: Understand the spiritual basis of the five elements and the five life principles (pancha pranas). A proper understanding of these alone will guide you to the right path and remove your miseries.

The reason for contamination of the five elements is:

7. Healing the Elements Through the Process of Educare

Swami narrates a story:

Once, Narada went to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu. The Lord smiled and asked, “Narada, where are you coming from?”

The sage replied, “Swami, I have neither a home nor a family. I am all the time on the move. I wander over the three worlds, incessantly singing Your praise.”

Vishnu said, “Is that so? Very good. Now tell me, have you understood the mystery of My creation?”

Narada replied, “Lord, are You suggesting that I do not? Of course I have understood it.”

Vishnu then continued, “Then you must have appreciated that there is nothing bad in My creation. Have you ever seen anything bad?”

Narada thought for a while and replied, “Lord, forgive me but I have seen one thing that is bad.”

Vishnu exclaimed, “What! Something bad in My creation? Impossible! There is absolutely nothing bad in creation.”

Narada hesitantly said, “Lord, there is one thing that is foul.”

Vishnu then demanded, “What is it?” Narada whispered, “It is faecal matter. It is absolutely foul and no one can go near it. Why did You create such a thing?”

Vishnu said, “Narada, you are wrong. Go and ask that faecal matter who created it?”

Narada resisted and protested that he could not go near that foul matter. But Vishnu was firm and commanded Narada to do as instructed.

The Lord’s command cannot be disobeyed, and reluctantly Narada went toward the waste matter. Even as he was approaching, the faeces said, “Stop! Don’t come near me. Stay away.” Narada was utterly surprised and angrily demanded, “What? You foul object asking a sacred one like me to stay away?”

Why do you think the faeces requested Narada to stay away?

8. Religion, Spirituality and Educare

Swami explains the three terms thus: First and foremost understand what religion is - ‘Religion is realisation’. Only when you realise the truth about yourself, will you understand what religion is.

To recognise unity in diversity is spirituality. The basic truth to be recognised is that there is only one Atma in all beings.

Educare means to bring out from within. The Atma is our innermost reality. That is what educare should bring out.

Which of these statements are true?

9. Secular or Spiritual Education?

Swami clarifies: What is educare? Educare is manifesting one’s own innate divine nature. One can experience bliss by doing so. There are several colleges and universities in different parts of the world today. There are innumerable professors and Ph.Ds. too. But could their high academic degrees confer peace and happiness on them?

Why didn’t the world experience peace and happiness in spite of producing so many educated people? The reason: all their education is meant to make a comfortable living.

Education is for life, not for a mere living.

Pick out the only true answer from the below statements:

For life in the world, ___________________

10. The End of Wisdom is Freedom

Swami says:

The end of wisdom is freedom.
The end of culture is perfection.
The end of knowledge is love.
The end of education is character.

What is the freedom that Swami says is the end of wisdom?