Review of "Education and Significance of Life" – J. Krishnamoorthi
“Education and the Significance of Life” by J. Krishnamoorthi is a book for those who are engrossed in understanding the profound meaning of life and importance of education. In this book, J.K. advocates for a life oriented education, more liberal and practical, resulting in effective living.
Krishnamoorthi acknowledges the importance of knowledge and efficiency, but does not make any secret of his concern that overemphasis on them may result only in conflict and confusion. Jiddu Krishnamoorthi questions the link between comfort and security with education as any common man would perceive and also opines that bringing about independent thinking with such a conventional education is next to impossible. Emphasizing the importance of learning to be compassionate, to be content with little, and to seek the supreme, J.K. feels only this path can lead to the true salvation of mankind.
According to J.K., education is just not a process of accumulating information and knowledge from books, but is the understanding of oneself, for it is within each one of us. Peace and happiness for men, J.K. says can come only with self-awareness that brings a change of heart, good will and inward transformation.
The master feels that to merely educate people to be brilliant engineers, luminous scientists, proficient executives, competent workmen etc. cannot account for the world peace. J.K. feels education should eliminate enmity and hatred between human beings and help each individual to discover their own psychological hindrances, and not merely impose new patterns of conduct and new modes of thought on the learner.
The passion for living beings induces J.K. to express the need for the teachers and parents to be rightly educated, so that pure knowledge shall be imparted to their pupil. Silence as a means to enhance creativity and to enjoy the beauty is strongly advocated by J.K.
Education should be a ‘life transforming process’ according to this great spiritual soul. There is not an iota of doubt that this book and the master will ever dwell in human minds, transforming practical wisdom of the highest order.