Distinguish Between Education and Educare
Merely having a human form does not make one a human being; it is the conduct and behavior that matters. In the same manner, mere acquisition of bookish knowledge does not make one truly educated. Such worldly education is negative in nature. One must make a distinction between education and educare.
Education is information-oriented while educare is transformation-oriented. Education is limited to physical and mental levels. Just as the rivers like Krishna and Godavari have their source in the ocean, education has its roots in educare. Physical and worldly knowledge corresponds to education. Educare is related to our inner feelings and purity of heart. Our mata, pata, and bata (speech, song, and way of life) should originate from the heart. That is the essence of educare. Even if you acquire a number of degrees, if you lack purity of heart, you cannot be called truly educated. Nowadays very few make efforts to understand what educare is. Only those endowed with practical knowledge and wisdom will be able to understand and appreciate the concept of educare. Others will be deluded by high academic degrees.
Educare is related to bhava (feeling), whereas education is related to bahya (external). The education you acquire should be beneficial to society. You should utilize your knowledge and intelligence for the benefit of society. Keep your emotions under check. Only the one who has complete control over himself is a true human being….
Man has forgotten his true Self. He is trying to acquire education without knowing his own reality. As a result, he reposes faith in everything else except God. You should never forget the fundamental principle, namely, divinity…. You are able to understand and acquire worldly and secular knowledge. But it is not easy for all to understand the inner reality. The names and forms of individuals may appear to be different, but essentially all are one.
The innate reality is adhara [support] and the external names and forms are only adheyas [assigned]. Knowing the adheya without understanding the adhara will serve no purpose. While dealing with physical matters we should have a spiritual outlook. Hence, in the first instance, develop faith in God. Anything can be achieved with unflinching faith in God. Discharge your duties with a sense of surrender to God. That is the essence of true education. Education does not mean mere acquisition of bookish knowledge. True education is beyond bookish knowledge.
First of all, you have to realize that divinity is present everywhere. Let all your actions be pleasing to God. You have come from God and are living in God. All your actions should therefore be dedicated to God. When you follow such a sacred path, you will ultimately merge in God.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 39, Pg. 2-10
