As you know, it is a vast subject on which much has been written, though very little practiced, given the inherent complexity of human nature that doesn’t operate in a straightjacketed manner. One can speak of general principles and suggest a few things that will need to be adapted, taking into consideration the uniqueness of each child and the circumstances.
The first thing I would advise is to read Sri Aurobindo and the Mother’s writings on this subject. They are quite exhaustive and comprehensive.
The first thing to understand is that education is a continuous process and goes way beyond the classroom. Children should love to learn and enjoy the education process. They should be able to learn from everywhere and everything, in fact, from all life and objects around them. It is something they develop by observing their parents.
Especially important is the effect of the psychological environment and the influence of parents (and other significant persons, including teachers) upon a child. It is important, therefore, to keep the atmosphere at home peaceful and happy and the relationship as harmonious as possible. Children readily pick up the habits and tendencies of the parents and absorb the psychological atmosphere around them like a sponge.
Coming to the child itself, the education should be a comprehensive process. It should include not only his mental development but also his emotional, psychological, vital, physical and the most neglected of all, spiritual development. Academics only help develop some parts of the mind, but there are many aspects and functioning of the mind that remain dormant, such as the capacity of concentration, judgment, discernment, intuition and others. Similarly, there are dormant capacities and possibilities of the physical, mental, vital and spiritual nature. That is what is meant by an integral education, which involves developing the capacities of our body, mind, emotions, force of life and the now hidden spiritual being. The means to do so can be very briefly summarised as regular physical exercises, disciplining and refining the vital force through sports, music, art, poetry, teaching the vital to obey the higher impulsion rather than the lower impulses, quietening the restless vital through methodical training, disciplining and directing its energies through games, work and other focused activities, exposing the child to stories that build character especially stories that inspire and instill in us the certitude for the victory of truth. Love for truth, beauty and good, scriptures such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the constant urge for progress, faith in new and higher possibilities, the spontaneous unease in the heart when one is doing something wrong are some of the ways of bringing out the deeper spiritual being in us.
As you see, the list is long. The things to remember are:
Read Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
Create an atmosphere of love, harmony and peace at home. Parents must be the living examples of what they want their children to be.
Focus on progress in all dimensions and every level rather than on marks, outer success, earning money, etc.
Never to bring fear of any kind in the process of education. Firmness is sometimes required but scolding is best avoided and hitting should never be done.
Teach the child to listen to the deeper inmost heart with regard to the right action.
Cultivate the habit of reading. Good books, beautiful stories are excellent companions.
Games, sports, music, art are important in building characters.
Physical exercises are important and should not be neglected in pursuit of studies.
Travelling together, having at least one meal together, keeping the phone off limits at that time is important for a number of reasons.
The Ramayana and the Gita should be taught to every child in a way appropriate to their age. Stories from the Mother and Sri Aurobindo’s life, tales of Sri Krishna and Hanuman, lay a very good foundation for the spiritual life.
As the child develops, he should gradually learn the idea of service and sacrifice (both missing so much these days) as well as be gradually exposed to fundamental spiritual truths through suitable passages. He should gradually be taught to sit quietly and stay inwardly quiet.
Finally, inculcate the habit of thinking things out, to reflect and discern rather than just blindly accept. It is the Yuga dharma as well as the right way to prepare the mind for receiving the truth.
Affectionately
Alok Da
