“Europe is the land of enjoyment, India of sacrifice”
Sri Aurobindo writes of the kindness, generosity, self-control, charity and other noble qualities that he witnessed in the convicts in Alipore Jail.
Sri Aurobindo writes of the kindness, generosity, self-control, charity and other noble qualities that he witnessed in the convicts in Alipore Jail.
A most divine nobility and a perfectly sincere humility are the key highlights of the adorable personality of Sri Aurobindo which we see presented in this wonderful narration by Nirodbaran. This talk was given on June 12, 1970 at Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education and was first published in Mother India.
Reading Nirodbaran’s narration of the divine qualities of Sri Aurobindo’s personality, one is reminded of the description Sri Aurobindo once gave of an Aryan gentleman. India’s rebirth and regeneration requires such character, such nobility in our youth; our national education must work toward this goal.
While the world argues over feminism and post-feminism, social equality vs. essential difference etc., here we have in these words of the Mother such clear insight into the truth that must be at the basis of a true and authentic man-woman relationship.
The Mother has given the tiny flowers of the dropseed prairie grass the spiritual significance: Humility. In this beautiful meditation on dropseed flower, the author highlights the truer meaning of humility with the help of a story and some guidance from Patanjali’s Yogasutra.
A sweet and gentle poem inspired by the Mother’s story titled ‘The Virtues’.
When a few moments of sincere introspection lead the heart to express humbly what it is feeling, a poem like this is born.
This special issue opens a year-long celebration of Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birthday and 75th anniversary of India’s political independence. Starting with this issue, the next 12 issues will explore the 12 attributes that the Mother has identified as soul-powers necessary for full manifestation of Her Work. The present issue explores Sincerity in a multi-dimensional approach. Special features on Sri Aurobindo’s work as a revolutionary nationalist are also included.
These selections taken from the Mother’s volumes highlight some practical advise on how to inculcate the values of sincerity, honesty, straightforwardness, courage, unselfishness, patience, endurance, perseverance, and self-control in children from an early age. She reminds the parents and educators that these things are taught infinitely better by example than by beautiful speeches.
In these delightful timeless tales retold by the Mother we get some important lessons on the value of straightforwardness, speaking the truth without any fear, and the importance of growing in sincerity for destroying falsehood and hypocrisy.
In this concluding part of the essay, we learn about the key methods and content areas, which as per Swami Vivekananda’s educational thought must become the basis for a holistic education aimed at character-building of the students.
This essay, presented in two parts, expounds on Swami Vivekananda’s views on character development and also briefly discusses the basic themes of his philosophy of man-making education in the light of practical Vedanta.