The simple question of who I am is rarely taken seriously by people in today’s world because everyone is greatly conditioned with conceptions of who they are, that they are this body and the designations of these bodies are theirs. And people accept those things that have a relation to their bodies as theirs.
Very few ask the question: But really who am I? A very simple example can be given: we don’t say "I hand" or "I leg" or "I eye", we say "My hand", "My leg", "My eye". So if this is mine then who am I? Who is the possessor? What is the difference between living body and dead body? Consciousness! What is the nature of consciousness? So much is taught and known about this material nature but what do I know about the nature of life? Out of all the thousands of subjects taught in schools there is not a single one that informs people of what is the difference between living body and a dead body. Who am I?
Yes, academic education could be very useful but it should be developed on the foundation of knowledge of the Truth. The example is given that, if I have the wrong premise then what ever I develop from that premise will be wrong. If I say four plus four is twelve, I can develop hundreds and thousands of equations and if they are all based on that premise they will all be wrong. Similarly we have developed so many philosophies, so many sciences, we have made so much amazing academic development but what is the premise if we do not know who we are; how will it bring us real fulfillment or real purpose in life?
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His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj has clearly explained the benefit of adding the knowledge of truth in our academic education.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. There is not a school on this planet which teaches this basic fact that I am not this body but something more permanent. Maharaj has so eloquently explained the problem with our academics today.
ReplyDeletevery true.
ReplyDeleteHow can we know what is good for us, if we don't even know who we are?
ReplyDeleteSome schools do tell about living and non living beings, but then tell that life comes from chemicals. How unfortunate , that schools teach children to speak truth, but they themselves are lying.
ReplyDeleteA correct description,especially last para telling us about education not based on real knowledge.Very amazing.Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteExtremely important guidance for today's society - fast paced but heading in dangerous direction!
ReplyDeleteThank you Radhanath Swami for thoroughly explaining the need for knowledge of the soul.
ReplyDeleteamazing explanation. thank you maharaj
ReplyDeleteAll Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful understanding. And truly so how our schools dont teach us the most important subject of life.
Hare Krishna
So true, today's education system is just teachinh children how to eat, sleep, defend and have sex nicely. There is no department for research on the soul.
ReplyDeleteThis is a sorry condition for the students that in schools & colleges there are no teachings of soul......
ReplyDeleteThe only true consciousness is Krishna Consciousness. The sooner this conclusion is arrived at, the better it is for the human society at large. Maharaj is shouldering a great responsibility in bringing people from all walks of life into Krishna Consciousness.All glories to Guru Maharaj.
ReplyDeleteVerily true. Without understanding who I am, nothing is beneficial. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
ReplyDelete