(An experience of searching the answer for an important question, ��Did India have an education system of her own, if so, how effective was it comparable to the one we have today?��)
Background: The whole life is a celebration with all its various colorful dimensions and with the core truth, which lies as the foundational reality of all its dimensions. Vedas, which exist for time immemorial, are the original sciences to demystify the life. Ramayana is the literature, which reflects the Vedic values in day-to-day life. Web of Life Makers (Webolim) is an organization, which facilitates people to experience the treasured esoteric values of Vedas and Ramayana and inculcate them in their everyday life. It conducts regular workshops, classes, camps, lectures and demonstrations on Vedas and Ramayana around the country and abroad to elucidate the public on various topics of interest, thereby providing simple yet clear solutions that are always integrated to the ��Fundamental Reality��. It has conducted lectures / workshops on Vedas & Ramayana in Hyderabad (29th Feb 05), Karimnagar (July 10th), Bangalore, Mysore, Madurai, Singapore and Chennai. (July 25th.) These workshops had participants from various cities like Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Trivandrum and Bangalore. On continuing this endeavor, this workshop was conducted in Madurai in South Tamil Nadu from 18th November 2006 to 19th November 2006 Venue: Agrini Premises, Tirupparankundram Road, Andalpuram, Madurai �� 625003. Inaugural Address �� Shri Mohanji �� 9.00 to 9.15 pm 17/11/06 The workshop started with lighting up the lamp and the inaugural address by Sri Mohanji and Sri Ranganji. Both of them in inaugural address emphasized upon the Vedic education and described how the Vedic education can solve most of the problems in India.
Asanas , Pranayama and Meditation by Shri. Mohanji �� 5.00 to 6.00 am 18/11/06 Sri Mohanji conducted the classes of Asanas, pranayama and meditation. It was totally a different experience which Sri Mohanji brought. Asanas and Pranayamas conducted by Sri Mohanji did not appear to be mere physical and breathing exercises. Participants experienced the deep layers of silence while Sri Mohanji took Asanas and Pranayamas. It was a beautiful fusion of exercises, Mudras and meditation with Omkara chanting. Vedic Chanting with Meaning �� 7.00 to 8.30 am 18/11/06 As is the custom, various Vedic mantras were chanted and their meanings explained. This time the mantras were related to almost all the walks of a practical life.
Introduction to Vedas �� Smt. Dhrushya Rangan �� 9.00 to 11.00 am 18/11/06 Smt. Dhrushya Rangan dealt with the structure by detailing on the Systematic Arrangement of the Vedas, Uniqueness of Vedas and ��Why Vedas?�� This was followed by a question & answer session. Happiness analysis by Shri. Mohanji�� 11.00 am to 1.00 pm 18/11/06 Every body was enthralled by Sri Mohanji��s lecture on Happiness analysis. This lecture was engaging with lot of anecdotes from practical and real life. First he made the audience to understand that the happiness is not from the external objects that we consume. It is not the external object, which has happiness in it. But it is an internal experience to which one is thrown for a fraction of second when one cognizes some external object. This experience is essentially silence. The main idea conveyed is that a spiritual man is he who has the capability to stay in that experience of silence without the help of any external object. There was a session of question and answer after the lecture.
Panel Discussion on Comparison of Indian Education Systems of Today, Yesterday and Tomorrow �� Shri. Ranganji and Shri. Mohanji �� 3.00 to 4.30 pm 18/11/06
The present day lifestyle with all its unheard stress factors is producing an imbecile mass of humans in India. This needs a rapid change; and this change must come from a very young age. Hence ��catch those young and train them right!�� This indeed is the need of the hour! This was the message in brief given by the panelists. Now, let��s delve into the discussion points. One must understand that real education is not mere transfer of information. Real education is man-making and nation-building and the tool with which this can be achieved is Yoga. Lust and greed are the two main reasons for the present day problems in education, evident from the amount of child abuse that is happening today. Shri. Mohanji explained the sense of urgency that is needed today to take a good deep look into the perilous education system prevalent in present India with a metaphorical anecdote. It was indeed poignant to see the society wearing a forlorn look, having pushed the Spiritual needs behind Materialistic and bodily pleasures. Quotes like ��We have appointments with all but not with our own selves�� and ��Ounce of practice is better than tones of teachings�� enkindled the spirits of an attentive audience. The Indian education system of the past was always aligned towards the Fundamental Reality as it was linked to inner centre. The perfected disciples were taught the Art and Science of attuning their activities to silence. This, according to Shri.Krishna is yoga. Needless to say that the students learnt this technique from their exemplary masters; Further, the panelists went on to show how ancient India was famous for its hospitality and other virtues which are almost at their ��moribund stages�� now. They were crystal clear in showcasing that a mentality of contempt [Minimum for mine and the Rest for others providing internal Happiness] is the root for these virtues and how badly that is missed today. Shri. Mohanji echoed Swami Vivekananda��s words, ��New India will come from Hills and Tribes�� and said, It is interesting to note that the so called tribes of today are educated but are illiterate but the so called educated are literate but not educated. Beginning with Children, Youth, Retired but not tired, and by participating in organizations like WEBOLIM [through these awareness spreading camps] should be the immediate remedial step to reverse the present dismal trend and a stepping stone towards glory was the univocal suggestion given by the panelists when asked about the way to change the existing educational scenario towards betterment. One could see/visualize a New Indian Society, hearing about its profound past, repo