Vivekananda - Part 4 Absolute freedom lies just beyond the threshold of our fear and desire. That happens when the last clouds disappear and we see life as an expression of our Consciousness. This theme finds a voice in his now-famous couplet, Bohurupe sommukhe tomar Chhari kotha khujichho Ishwar Jeebe prem kore jei jon Sei jon sebichhe Ishwar. (Its before you in million forms Yet why do you search elsewhere? One who loves life Is the one who serves God) Interestingly, he did not use the word Manav (human being) but Jeeva (life-forms or living beings). I have deliberately translated it as life (Jeebon). The great Universe is a living orgasm that seems to have a life of its own. A life that expands with a purpose. Why should we teach ourselves only to love our fellow human beings? Why not our fellow trees and plants? Why not our fellow creatures like snakes and bats? Why not our fellow ponds and rivers? Why not the land, the air, the moon, the sun, the stars and space? The connection between the macro and the micro being so intricate and tangible, how can we separate one from the other? The perception of this connection is a divine experience. He wanted us to move beyond puja rooms and temples, obsession with gods and goddesses and rituals, social prejudices and mean-mindedness in the name of religion. He tried to make religion inclusive, a way of living that promotes a collective humanity. Things are definitely changing if we compare his time with ours. But there will forever be miles to go and we cannot afford to sleep. From the personal to the national level we need to re-interpret the role of education. ...manifestation of the perfection already in man is still a favourite slogan with Vivekananda followers. It hardly has any resonance on the ground. Discerning citizens universally agree that what goes on in our schools and colleges is not only counter-productive but a degenerative social disease. And no one has the faintest about how to stem the tide. Instead of trying to react against the obvious it would be best to resist it with an attempt to institutionalize meaningful education. The passionate appeal of Vivekananda should not be lost in the wilderness. Rabindranath had tried to create an interesting model. Other distinctive ideas are being played out in isolation. A churning process is on. Even if all of us do not always agree on what and how of true education, we should start with an open mind. I hope every one of us would agree that true education should lead us all towards discovery, strength, freedom and love. Education is the pivot on which the human civilization will move on to the next level. (Concluded)
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 18:34:53 +0000