Educare and Education

Educare and Education

In an earlier issue, we discussed the question of spiritual balance. Presently, we shall look at that issue in terms of education and educare, especially in the light of the great importance that Swami attaches to educare, the conferences that have been held and continue to be held on educare, and the stress on educare that is constantly being laid in the Organisation.

We begin with what Swami Vivekananda said over a hundred years ago. He made two important points and both of these have been elaborately stressed by Bhagavan in recent years. Vivekananda said that education must bring out the Divinity latent in man. He also pointed out that humanity’s thinking has been shaped by two great streams of thought and philosophy. One originating in Greece drew people into the outside world. This in turn led to exploration, advances in science and technology and all that. The other stream of thought originated in ancient India, and sought to take man deep inwards. As scientist David Bohm remarks, the Western Approach is analytic and tries to understand the whole by breaking it into parts. The Eastern Approach, by which is meant really the Indian Approach, is holistic. Vivekananda says that what modern society needs is a good and practical blend of the two schools of thought. Let us now see how Swami describes this blend in terms of what may be called education and educare.

Education is the name given to the knowledge that one acquires about the external world. This knowledge is acquired, among other things, through our senses. Educare, on the other hand, relates to the knowledge about our Inner world. This knowledge has already been deposited in our Heart by a loving and merciful God. This treasure is His gift to us. It has been given to each and every individual, WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTION.

Swami describes education and educare as follows. He says:

EDUCATION: MIND SHAPED BY EXTERNAL FORCES.
EDUCARE: MIND SHAPED BY THE DIVINE SOURCE WITHIN.

IN THE CASE OF EDUCATION, ACTION IS INFLUENCED AND DETERMINED SOLELY BY THE EXTERNAL WORLD.

IF EDUCARE IS THE FOUNDATION, THE INTERNAL FORCE GENERATED BY SATHYA, DHARMA AND PREMA ALONE DETERMINES THE ACTIONS PERFORMED IN THE EXTERNAL WORLD.

EDUCATION: SURVIVAL PHILOSOPHY [DESTROY OPPOSITION, BEAT THE COMPETITION, ETC.]

EDUCARE: DIVINE PHILOSOPHY [LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL].

FINALLY, EDUCATION IS FOR THE HEAD, AND EDUCARE IS FOR THE HEART!

Incidentally, the word educare has its origin from the Latin word ‘educare’ [pronounced edukare], meaning, to bring out or develop from latent or potential existence. On our context, it means bringing out the Divinity latent in the person.

The question arises: “Why suddenly EDUCARE? Why was it not there before?” The answer is the following: Earlier, the forces related to educare were working silently, implicitly and unobtrusively. There was morality in the home, morality in the school, morality in the work-pace, and finally, morality in the community also. Today, the situation has changed completely. God has been put on the back burner so to speak. Therefore, an entirely different strategy and set of priorities are called for. We have to first invoke God strongly and then only move on to other matters and business.

Just look at the recent happenings in the Corporate sector for example. All of a sudden, one is hearing of scam after scam, and how greedy executives at the top have been taking the public for one huge ride and swindling money, millions of dollars if not billions. Commenting on this spate of corporate fraud, one pained teacher of a business school asked, “Whatever happened to old-fashioned ideas of honesty and integrity?” They got thrown out because people thought they were old-fashioned – that is what happened! Who wants honesty when one has to compete severely in order to survive?

Educare and Education – A Divine Path Of Character, Wisdom, And Inner Growth

Educare and Education is a meaningful spiritual theme that helps us understand the difference between outer learning and inner awakening. Education usually gives knowledge about the world, while educare brings out the values already hidden within the heart. A person may become highly qualified through books, exams, and degrees, but true growth happens only when knowledge is joined with character, humility, compassion, and self-discipline.

In modern life, education is often connected with career, success, income, and social status. These are important for practical living, but they are not enough to make life complete. A person may have great intelligence and still remain restless, selfish, or unhappy. Real education should not only train the mind; it should also refine the heart. It should help a person become truthful, responsible, loving, and useful to society.

Educare and Education teaches that every child already carries goodness within. The purpose of true learning is not to fill the child with information alone, but to bring out inner qualities such as love, peace, kindness, courage, honesty, and respect. A good teacher does not merely transfer facts. A good teacher inspires the student to discover the best version of themselves and live with noble values.

The word educare suggests drawing out what is already inside. This is very different from ordinary teaching that only gives external knowledge. When values are awakened from within, they become natural. A student does not speak truth only because of fear of punishment, but because the heart understands the beauty of honesty. Such learning becomes permanent because it touches the conscience.

Educare and Education reminds us that character is the real foundation of human life. Without character, knowledge can become dangerous. Science without compassion can harm society. Wealth without morality can create greed. Power without humility can become destructive. Therefore, students must be guided not only to become clever, but also to become good. Goodness gives direction to intelligence.

A complete education should balance the head, heart, and hand. The head must learn clearly, the heart must feel deeply, and the hand must serve selflessly. When these three work together, life becomes harmonious. Knowledge should lead to understanding, understanding should lead to love, and love should lead to service. This is the real purpose of learning.

Educare and Education also highlights the importance of teachers and parents. Children learn more from example than from advice. If elders speak about honesty but act dishonestly, children become confused. If parents teach kindness but show anger and disrespect, the lesson loses power. The best teaching is a life lived with values. A peaceful home and a noble classroom can shape strong character.

In spiritual understanding, education should help a person know not only the world, but also the Self. Man is not merely a body, mind, name, or profession. There is a deeper divine presence within every heart. When education ignores this inner truth, life becomes outwardly successful but inwardly empty. When education includes self-awareness, the student grows with balance and peace.

Educare and Education teaches that values should be practiced daily. Love should be shown through kind words. Truth should be shown through honest action. Peace should be shown through patience. Right conduct should be shown through responsibility. Nonviolence should be shown through respect for all beings. Values are not meant only for speeches or textbooks; they must become part of daily behavior.

A student’s life becomes beautiful when discipline is joined with joy. Discipline does not mean pressure or fear. True discipline means using time wisely, controlling harmful habits, respecting elders, completing duties, and keeping the mind focused. When discipline is guided by love, it becomes a strength. It helps students build confidence and prepare for life’s responsibilities.

Educare and Education also reminds us that competition should not destroy compassion. In today’s world, many students are taught to become better than others, but true learning teaches them to become better than their own past self. Healthy effort is good, but jealousy, pride, and comparison disturb the mind. Education should create cooperation, respect, and unity, not ego and division.

Service is an important part of true learning. When students serve others, they understand life more deeply. Helping the poor, caring for nature, respecting workers, sharing with classmates, and supporting those in need teach lessons that books alone cannot give. Service softens the heart and removes selfishness. It helps students understand that knowledge should benefit others.

Educare and Education finally shows that the highest aim of learning is transformation. A truly educated person is not one who has only collected information, but one who has become wise, humble, peaceful, and compassionate. Such a person uses knowledge for the good of society and lives with responsibility before God and humanity.

In the end, education must prepare a person not only to earn a living, but to live with meaning. It must awaken inner values, strengthen character, and guide action toward love and service. When outer knowledge and inner values come together, life becomes balanced and noble. This is the true beauty of Educare and Education, where learning becomes a path to wisdom, goodness, and divine grace.

Easwaramma Day