Education and the Significance of Life

The primary premise of the book is that nearly all of the education system (govt. based, religious based, private) fails the child. These systems educate children to be good at techniques or skills, but do not educate them to know themselves.Without knowledge of oneself, children will grow to be conflicted between the reality of their true nature, and the constrictions of conforming to civil society or religious doctrine.An educational system that truly sought to benefit the children would be staffed by adults who were continually studying themselves, and striving to deepen their own awareness, not just conformists seeking the safety of job, income and leisure. Only when open-minded, self-aware adults teach with true love can children learn to know themselves, and so lead dignified, effective lives.We are far from this vision, but it is worth it for each of us to walk along this path.

The focus point here is on just what education should produce. At present, it produces students intellectually prepared for their life's journey, but without a clue when it comes to self-knowledge. In fact, in Krishnamurti's eyes, education as it presently is, or at least was in the 50's when the book was written (and I haven't really seen evidence of huge change yet), discourages self-knowledge and focuses on false values, such as financial success and prestige. The present educational system teaches reliance on authority, on books. Krishnamurti comes down hard on the nationalistic mode our youth are molded in. This point may be difficult to agree with in today's America, especially in the past year. There has been a huge swing in patriotism since Sept. 11, and this is quite natural. And to read Krishnamurti's pleas to free ourselves from nationalism, from patriotism, may well be difficult.And yet, if we truly want peace on this planet, loyalty to nation and loyalty to religion are blocks, according to Krishnamurti. This is a book to read and study, even if you are uneasy with some points. I don't mean that this is a philosophy to pick up on and make the ruler of your life. And Krishnamurti makes it quite obvious that this isn't what he wants. Self-knowledge includes self-rule nd self-responsibility. Even if you, as I did, have a few reservations, this is a philosophy to consider, one which may call for action on your part to bring out a positive change in our educational system.

This book is a must for anyone seriously interested in real education. Written by one of the 20th century's great spiritual teachers, this book demonstrates that education must result in deep integreation of thought, feeling and action to be useful in the transformation of the child and of the world. There is not much hope for the world if this message is not heard and applied.

This is a wonderful book, stressing the need for growth in ways that the average U.S. public school does not provide. As children grow into adults, they must be taught to think for themselves, to think for their own long-term happiness. How many friends do I have that have picked careers because they sound easy, or because they have a friend that can get them a job when they get out? Way too many. In fact, almost all of my friends suffer from this. I refused to, though, realizing (almost too late) that I didn't want to do something simply because I'm good at it. Satisfaction with one's work is one thing; and this can be good. However, it cannot stand up against the satisfaction of enjoying what you do; and further of doing something you want to be doing.Krishnamurti's message carries far beyond this example, but in my life, this has proved the key element of his philosophies. I believe the world would become a much different place if every high-school aged student read and came to understand this material.

Krishnamurti is regarded by many as one of the great sages of the 20th century, and "Education and the Significance of Life" is an outstanding example of his thinking. Krishnamurti reflects that goal of education should be to help students develop into truly "integrated" human beings, and not merely to turn them into well-trained automatons.Along the way, Krishnamurti offers pointed and thought-provoking critiques of such institutions as organized religion, national identity, and the family. And throughout the book he stresses one of his core themes: a resistance to conformity and mindless obedience.Krishnamurti has been called a modern-day Buddha, and this book is a rich source of aphoristic statements that radiate with insight. On religion: "Organized religion is the frozen thought of man...." On national identity: "Nationalism is a disease, and it can never bring about world unity." On morality: "Organized religions are much concerned about our sexual morality; but they allow us to perpetuate violence and murder in the name of patriotism, to indulge in envy and crafty ruthlessness, and to pursue power and success." For both professional educators and general readers, "Education and the Significance of Life" is a challenging work of spiritual and philosophical writing.