Education is defined as “the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction.”
I find it especially noteworthy that the “receiving” came before the giving–as too often is not the case. Also noteworthy is the fact that education is of innumerable kinds. The most simple explanation I recall, came from an elderly country gentleman who stated, “The only difference between city folks and country folks is they’re dumb about different things.”
Isn’t that the biggest difference between any (or at least most) of us?
Also considered secondary (if at all) is spiritual education, which supercedes all others as it ads balance to the equation. The key word here is spiritual–which is one, rather than religious, which is multiple, often within same denominations.
“Read in the school of God the lessons of the spirit,” we glean from the Baha’i Holy Writings, which come through different Messengers throughout the centuries just as one academic teacher does not take a student through all grades of physical/intellectual education.
“Although to acquire the sciences and the arts is the greatest glory of mankind, this is so only on condition that man’s river flows into the mighty sea and draws from God’s ancient Source and Inspiration. If then, every teacher is a shoreless ocean, and every pupil a prodigal fountain of knowledge. If not, a mere drop could shut one off from the flooding grace, for with mere learning cometh arrogance and pride that leadeth to error and bringeth on indifference to God.”
The sciences of today are bridges to reality; if they lead not to reality, naught remains but fruitless illusion…” – Foundations for a Spiritual Education
Instruction in schools must begin with spiritual training, binding the child’s heart to the love of (and accountability to) some Superior Force that exists before and after one’s brief earthly pilgrimage. “Institutions of higher learning must then hold fast to three cardinal principles:
1st – Wholehearted service to the cause of education, upholding the mysteries of nature, extension of the boundaries of pure science, elimination of the causes of ignorance and social evils, a standard universal system of instruction, and diffusion of the lights of knowledge and reality.
2nd – Service to the cause of morality; raising the moral tone of students; inspiring them with sublimest ideals of ethical refinement and altruism, inculcating in their lives the beauty of holiness and the excellency of virtue, animating them with the excellence and perfections of the religion of God, and;
3rd – Service to the oneness of the world of humanity so that each student may consciously realize the brotherhood of all mankind, irrespective of race or religion. Thoughts of universal peace must be instilled into the minds of all scholars in order that they may become armies of peace, the real servants of the body politic–the world; One Father, all mankind His children! This globe one home; all nations members of one family! Mothers in their homes, teachers in their classrooms, professors in the colleges and presidents in universities must all teach these ideals from the cradle up to the age of manhood.
For “Man is now in the highest degree of materiality, and at the beginning of spirituality. That is to say, he is at the end of imperfection and the beginning of perfection. He is at the last degree of darkness and at the beginning of Light. That is why it is has been said that the condition of man is at the end of night and the beginning of day–meaning that he is the sum of all the degrees of imperfection and that he possesses the degrees of perfection! He has the animal side as well as the angelic side, and the aim of an educator is to so train human souls that their angelic aspect may overcome their animal side. ~Some Answered Questions
The primary consideration is that the child should develop spiritual characteristics and the praiseworthy virtues of humankind. “If a person be unlettered and clothed with Divine excellence, that individual will contribute to the welfare of society and his inability to read and write will do him no harm. And if a person be versed in the arts and every branch of knowledge, and not be directed by pure intent but engrossed in the life of the flesh, then he is harm personified, and nothing will come of all his learning and intellectual accomplishments but scandal and torment.
“If, however, an individual hath spiritual characteristics and virtues that shine forth, his purpose in life be spiritual, his inclinations directed toward God and he also studies other branches of knowledge, then we have light upon light: his outer being luminous, his private character radiant, his heart sound, his thought elevated, his understanding swift–his rank noble. Blessed is he who attaineth this exalted station!”
Therefore it becomes evident at this critical junction in the maturation of mankind that the spiritual education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind. Through such education, high moral character and conduct will take precedence in perfecting the arts, sciences and political affairs–otherwise descending to deadly poison and frightful danger.
“Regard man as a mine, rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and mankind to benefit therefrom.” (Investigate!–1-800-22UNITE)
