There are so many changes in the educational front. Some leaders have plans which are quite irrelevant. They are after so many permutations and combinations in subjects like mathematics and science, economics and science, economics and mathematics, etc. In fact these are special disciplines. We may have such combinations. They think that we have got enough lecturers who will be able to implement this interdisciplinary approach. But do we have qualified teachers? We don’t have them. When we don’t have qualified teachers how do you expect students to learn? So to begin with, we need qualified teachers in the country. In our University, all efforts are made to train good teachers. When teachers are good, students also will be good. So good and bad depends on the teachers.
Pollution Everywhere
We should not run after the changes, alteration or modifications. Because of the constant changes that we bring in relation to our health and our body, we fall sick. Earlier most of the items were made out of clay - mud pots and earthenware. Today, all the potteries are replaced by the usage of stainless steel utensils. We also find plates which are totally different, and these plates lead to contamination and make us fall sick. Now we also make use of plastic bags. Plastic will never go, wherever you throw it, it remains like that. These plastic bags remain like that even for couple of years and because of the plastic which is dropped as wastage, it leads to soil pollution. And all eatables also get spoilt leading to food pollution. Thus, because of the constant changes we find pollution everywhere.
Live in the Present – The Omnipresent
Therefore in the field of education, we should not bring about constant changes and we should not imitate anybody. You should also understand that the present Ananda - bliss that you experience here will follow you in future too. You can be blissful in the future too. People are very much interested in their future. What is future? It is based on the past. Don’t brood over the past and don’t worry about future. Past is past. Don’t worry about it or think about it. Past is past, forget the past. Present is important. Present is omnipresent. Therefore we should live in the moment and follow the present. It is only the Sathya Sai University that has got its curriculum and academic courses designed based on the moment – here and now; based on the present. Do not change the Sathya Sai Education System. The Sathya Sai Education System will ensure a bright future ahead of you, though it may appear to be a life of continuous work.
Bhagavan always says - Help ever, hurt never. Never hurt anybody. We should not hurt anybody. Either we think of the past, or of the future and thus we ruin the present. In fact, you cannot always expect to be happy in the future. Past is past. What extent were you happy then? You are very happy in the present right now. You have sufficient money, no dearth. There is no change in your attitudes. Right now you are in perfect steady-mindedness. The mind right now is blessed. Earlier it was a dirty mind. There is a change in man because of the mind. Parents also do not notice the nature of the mind. Parents also teach in such a way that we follow past or the future. In such a case, what is the use of all your efforts? They are all useless.
Our students are progressing. They are coming up in life in the present. And these present students are right now ideals to the whole world. In the present you must have less luggage and more comfort and thus make your travel a pleasure. Don’t think of the past, not in the least. Past is past, forget the past. The past which is dead and gone will be of no use. We have to work for our progress living in the present, living in the moment. Just think of the greatness of the present. Living in the present, think of yourselves. What does ‘present’ mean in a class? It means that you are in the classroom. If you are not present, you will be marked absent. Naturally, when you are marked absent, you lose your value. Therefore, ‘present’ is important in every aspect of life. Bhagavan wants all of you to follow the present, enquire and investigate it.
Lead a Simple Life in Your Motherland
Today all elders are feeling very sad because the past was glorious. The past was good and in the present they don’t find that quality. In the past elders were respected. People were courteous to elders and extended hospitality. They prayed to all elders and they received the teachings from them as to how to lead one’s life. As we know at our homes, we have grandmothers. Grandmothers teach all subtle things, simple things, easily. Those days were very happy, extremely happy days. Therefore, it is said old is gold. They taught a noble path of life. Today, we don’t follow that righteous path taught by elders. We should take care that we don’t spoil or loose the traditions of the past and ruin the present. What is happening today? Wherever you go, you find conflict. People fight for every issue. There is no unity. There is no purity. There is no unity, only enmity everywhere. You may talk to anybody but the other person is always full of anger and fear. There is constant conflict. Therefore we should give up evil qualities like anger, jealousy, pomp and show. Once we give up these evil tendencies, we will be able to attain unity.
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| Subhas Chandra Bose |
What was the reason for Bose being driven out of India? It was only enmity that was the prime cause. The enmity is born out of selfishness. Out of utter selfishness, Bose was sent out of this country. But wherever he went, he served the society and community. Therefore, we need good and virtuous people in this land. Our teachers also said that we have students of very high quality who secure very high percentage. Why should they go abroad? They can serve this country as well. Instead of earning Rs. 10,000 abroad, it is better even if you earn Rs. 1,000 in this country – India. From the Rs. 10,000 that you earn there, half has to be spent for house rent and you have to pay heavily for lots of expenses. It is difficult even to get drinking water. For everything you have to pay. Even if you want to buy a banana fruit, you have to pay Rs. 10. How can you afford all such expenses abroad? How can you take care of your children? Instead, it is enough if you serve some food at home – rice and little chutney, children will be extremely happy. You can just live the path of simple life. But you want to strain yourself, you want to exert yourself, you want to go abroad and struggle hard there.
Source: Discourse 14, My Dear Students Volume 2; Divine Discourse delivered on August 22, 2007
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