July 13, 2019, Bengaluru
On July 13, 2019 Dr. Sampadananda Mishra, Director SAFIC addressed the teachers of the Mirambika School for New Age, Bengaluru. He spoke on the topic “What does it mean to be a Teacher.” In this interactive session the following points were highlighted as ideals for a teacher to work towards in his/her practice.
- A teacher must have a deeper clarity on why he/she has chosen to be teacher.
- A teacher must be aware of the very purpose of life and education and must always have an intense aspiration to rise towards the realization of that purpose.
- If the purpose of the education is to realize one’s highest perfection, the ever-perfect nature of the Atman, then teacher is expected to be a self-realized person to guide and lead the students on the path of self-realization.
- Only an integrated system of learning and not some kind of fragmentary learning can help realize the highest aim of education. For this the teacher is expected to be the one with an integral personality.
- Regardless of the subject being taught a teacher must teach in a manner that helps the student connect with his/her inner self.
- For a teacher, classroom is the best place for his/her sadhana, and teaching the discipline for inner growth.
- If a teacher expects students to be quiet and attentive in the classroom, then he/she has to be a role model for that.
- The effectiveness of teaching and learning also depends on the relationship between the teacher and the students.
- A true teacher is always aware of his/her limitations and works hard for overcoming those.
- A teacher, according to Sri Aurobindo, must be a YOGI.
The teachers were also given an update on the various activities and programmes organised and developed by SAFIC. A brief explanation was given to them on how they may utilize the various knowledge resources created by SAFIC, not only for their own learning and growth but also for as learning resources in their classrooms, especially in the areas of Sanskrit and Indian culture.
Later that day, Dr. Samapadananda Mishra was invited to speak on the topic “Renaissance in Indian Culture” at Sri Aurobindo Complex Trust, JP Nagar, Bengaluru. This lecture was part of the weekly programme organised by Bengaluru Center of Sri Aurobindo Society, designed to help connect the people in the community with various aspects of Indian culture. The following points were highlighted by Dr. Mishra in his lecture:
- The Indian culture is unique because of its multifaceted nature.
- Because of its strong spiritual foundation Indian culture has been able to sustain its inner and outer forms for several thousands of years, in spite of much adverse situation.
- The Shastras or the record of the spiritual and occult realisations of the ancient sages and seers have been the guiding force in sustaining the inner spirit of the Indian culture.
- The ancient seers and sages of India were able to create a discipline for themselves in order to attain Satyam, the Truth, Ritam, the Right, and Brihat, the Vast and be guided by this realisation.
- A revival of Indian culture means to revive the spirit behind all that has been responsible in creating a civilisation that was one of the greatest among all.
- India can rise again to its highest peak, but it will not happen by merely singing of the glories of the past but by manifesting the qualities of the great ones (the Aryas, the hero warriors, the masters) and living in consonance with those qualities.
- India has the potential and the possibility to be the guide to the entire humanity in its journey towards realising the true purpose of life. But for that to happen, India must rise first to her true inner spirit.
