“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school” says Albert Einstein; a long term investment, an unfolding of oneself in the realm of knowledge and an inner awakening.
As an Educator myself, and member of a Congregation with Education as its main Ministry, I always uphold its need and encourage the Young to pursue it. Whenever I enquire with children about their Education, if I learn that they do not attend school, I seek ways to enlist them.
I share with you my eye-opening encounters of an amazing person who challenged me. This experience was at Nowrojee Wadia College, Pune, was at my Graduation in Chemistry. We had a classmate who would attend lecture just on time, note down every word and leave. He seemed strange which captured everyone’s attention.
I observed that he had just two sets of clothing and a pair of slippers. He carried his books in a worn out polythene bag; my interest grew in making friends with him.
On one occasion, when at the Railway Station my eyes struck a familiar face it was this Classmate. He was lying on a packing box, opened up for use as a mat, using his books for a pillow. I was at awe seeing this.
The next day I approached him. He said, he was Raju from Daund, a village in Pune, coming from a poor, hardworking and God fearing family, which could not afford to educate him. Hence, he decided to save money by sleeping out and studying by the lamp post. It was such an austere life, with a great passion for gaining knowledge this overwhelmed me. This was a fine instance of someone who understood the value of Education.
What is the essence of Education? How has it influenced my life? What am I gaining in order to help benefit society?
As “Dispensers and Ministers” of such a boon, we can view its three facets in the light of Jesus, the best Guru I have encountered. Jesus gives us the Beatitudes, Parables, and a life experience of how to live worthy of His calling to Discipleship.
In the Indian context of Education, the Sanskrit Chant from Brithadaranyaka Upanishad-“Asato Ma Sat Gamaya, Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya, Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya”-“Lead us from Ignorance to Truth; Lead us from Darkness to Light; Lead us from Death to Life” spells out the three Forms of Learning.
Ignorance to Truth-information becomes the raw material to gain knowledge. We read the Holy Bible to derive inspiration for our life. Information becomes the core value for reference, directing the life of the person.
Darkness to Light produces Professionals who monitor students’ learning with feedback to improve teaching skills and learning, a movement from the unknown to the known.
Every student makes step by step progress, LLB students become Lawyers. MBBS students turn out as Doctors. In the Bible we note how Jesus confirms Peter’s commitment three times; to feed His sheep and Peter betrays the Master three times. It enables him to look after His Church?
Death to Life is a Metanoia, facilitated through consciously directed process such as appreciating, accessing and receiving the symbolic contents of the unconscious. John, the Disciple, always leaned on Jesus to listen to him and follow closely. The Samaritan Woman was transformed through a long conversation about Water at Jacobs’ Well.
Education is the way to achieve far reaching goals and promoted Compassion and Tolerance in Society. It influences our life and build convictions. We can only give what we have. Let education transform our entire way of life, so we have something to give.