| Q. |
What
constitutes Human Values? |
| A. |
Human
beings have many traits common with animals. We
eat, drink, defecate, copulate, fall ill, grow old
and die. But there are traits in human beings that
do not occur in animals. These distinguish a human
being from an animal. A human sublimates his lust
and can reach the heights of selfless love. A human
transcends anger and feels compassion for all, including
his enemy. A human being is capable of telling a
lie but can also make a positive choice of always
speaking the truth. These are all human values. |
|
|
| Q. |
Can
Human Values be taught? |
| A. |
It
is sometimes said that values can more easily be
caught rather than taught. The primary way is for
parents and teachers to be transformed and then
served as role models for the children. To some
extent precept, service, group activity, group singing,
group meditation, and so on can instill values. |
|
|
| Q. |
Can
values be taught in the classroom? |
| A. |
Experiments
have shown that values can be taught in the classroom.
A pedagogy has been created for this purpose. One
of the effective ways is to integrate values in
Subject Teaching. |
| |
|
| Q. |
What
is value-based society? |
| A. |
A
society that believes that God has manifested this
universe with a purpose and that a human being has
come to this world for a purpose, and that purpose
is nothing less than manifesting the full splendour
of divinity that is latent in all members of that
society, is a value-based society. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Why
is there value erosion in modern society? |
| A. |
Modern
society has discarded religion and spirituality
as unscientific and superstitious. It does not believe
in God; instead it deifies Money, Power, Sex, Violence
and so on. If there is nothing right or wrong, and
the only touchstone of righteous conduct is whether
you will get more money, more power, more sexual
fulfillment, more sadistic pleasure, then we are
bound to move towards death, destruction, fear,
darkness and despair.. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Which
is the oldest available scripture of value inculcation? |
| A. |
Nature
is the best teacher. The tree teaches us to give
fruits to those that throw stones at us. The rain
teaches us to be giving to saint and sinner alike.
The river teaches us to flow. The sky teaches us
to be empty. Fire teaches us to purify everything
that we touch. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Which
age is the best for inculcation of values among
children? |
| A. |
The
process must start before conception. When the time
is right, the parents must copulate for the purpose
of conceiving a great person. Parents should think
noble thoughts, listen to great music and devotional
songs,and perform noble deeds right through the
period of conception. The greatest impressions on
a baby's mind are formed in the first six years
of its life. So the earlier we start the better. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Which
is the most important of all values? |
| A. |
Love.
As Baba says:
"Love
in speech is Truth
Love in action is Righteous Conduct
Love in thought or feeling is Peace
Love in understanding is Non-Violence" |
| |
|
| Q. |
What
does Baba mean when he says: "Love all, serve
all."? |
| A. |
Baba
teaches that Love is the basic value that we have
to inculcate. He says:
"Love
is God. Love more and more people. Love them more
and more intensely. Transform the love into service.
Transform the service into worship. That is the
highest sadhana." |
