20 Wellbeing
is constantly training people to think only about themselves and nothing else. There is a deeply set attitude in the human mind that everything must be exploited for our benefit. Initially, you use the planet, then the trees and plants, then animals, then of course, even human beings for your comfort and convenience. Education leaves one hugely empowered. When people are empowered but have no love in their heart, it is very dangerous. We will end up with tyrants. Before being empowered, you must have a sense of inclusiveness. This is why in Indian culture, education always started only after certain initiations, where in some experiential way, it is brought about in the child’s life that they feel for everything in the existence. Traditionally, the basic mantra which was taught to the child in India was “Aham Brahmasmi,” which means “My identity is cosmic.” When the child chanted this, he or she was taking responsibility for everything around them. The idea was that before you empower them with mathematics, astronomy, science or anything else, you must ensure that their identity is not limited, that they take on a universal identity. The understanding was that only those who have gone through this must be given the power of education. So, we should always ensure our children’s attitude is about responsibility, inclusion, contribution, and constantly seeing how to make a difference around them. 8. How can schools integrate practices that promote mental and emotional health, ensuring that students are not just academically successful but also emotionally balanced and liberated to explore their true potential? Sadhguru: It must be understood that what is taught in the school is not an absolute. A school must provide an ambience for the child to interact with their own age group and grow by exposure; above all, to develop a thirst for knowing something new every day. If the thirst for knowledge is kindled in the child, you cannot stop them from learning. This is all a school should do.
Education can no longer be about just gathering information, passing examinations and getting a job. What we need is an inspirational schooling so that a child does something beyond his or her limitations. If you can do something that you never thought you would do because of someone’s influence, then this is inspiration. We run a residential school in the Isha Yoga Center in India, called the Isha Home School. Groups of twenty children are part of a household and taken care of by teachers who are like dedicated parents for them. The teaching community is absolutely committed to the development of the child. We use a thematic mode of education. What this means is, for example, during the two months of the monsoon season, the pouring rain will soak you through and through. We expose the children to the rain and use it as a fulcrum to explore many other subjects – the chemistry, biology, physics and economics of rain. There is an enormous enthusiasm in learning because it is a very exploratory approach. There are no marks and no branding the child with grades of “A, B, C,” but among the teachers there is an evaluation method, and constantly the children are being nurtured.
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