Spiritual Principles Should be Taught
by Paramhansa Yogananda
(This article was excerpted from the original,
“The Balanced Life, Curing Mental Abnormalities”,
which appeared in East-West Magazine, November 1925. Yogananda’s
article included a proposed curriculum for “How to Live
Schools.”)
Educational authorities deem it impossible to teach
spiritual principles in public schools because they confuse them
with the variety of conflicting forms of religious faith. But
if they concentrate on the universal principles of peace, love,
service, tolerance, and faith that govern the spiritual life,
and devise methods of practically growing such seeds in the fertile
soil of the child's mind, then the imaginary difficulty is dissolved.
It is the greatest mistake to ignore this problem just because
it is seemingly difficult.
I consider properly organized schools as gardens
where infant souls are grown and nurtured. The gardeners should
be well-selected and cooperated with by parents and the public.
The teachers should never be neglected, for they are soul-molders.
The care and spiritual nourishment of the early life of a human
plant usually determines its later development.
I sincerely praise the modern school system of America
and its constantly improving methods of intellectual and, to a
certain extent, physical training. But I cannot fail to point
out its main shortcoming. It lacks spiritual background, and very
badly needs to be supplemented by moral and spiritual training.
The boy who belongs intellectually to Class "A", or
is a great baseball or football player, often attracts notice
and is encouraged by the professors and students; but very few
observe or warn him rightly if he is leading a dark Class "D"
moral or spiritual life.
But where is such a school which adopts definite
measures for developing the whole nature of man, teaching him
the true art of life and fitting him to go through the various
minor and ultimately the final examination of life? Such schools
are urgently needed to teach the arts and sciences of all-round
growth.
After a thorough training, the students of such
a School will undergo ceaseless examination throughout life, and
the various diplomas won will be health, fame, efficiency, wealth,
and happiness.
The issue of the final examination at the end of
this earthly sojourn will only be determined by the sum-total
acquirements and mental and spiritual diplomas won at the various
examinations throughout life. And those successful in this last
Great Examination receive a Diploma of lasting efficiency, free
conscience, and blessings engraved eternally on the parchment
of the Soul. This rare reward is incorruptible by moths, beyond
the reach of thieves and the eraser of Time, and is awarded for
honorable entry into the Fellowship of Truth.
Paramhansa Yogananda was the first great master
of yoga to live and teach in the United States.
Living Wisdom Schools and the Education
for Life philosophy are based on Yogananda’s original
ideals for "how-to-live schools".
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