Directing Creativity with Education

The system of education and upbringing should be to manifest the underlying creativity in oneself.

Anonymous

 
  Living in a community that gives tremendous importance to education, is it not required on questioning what benefits it brings forth?  On one side, education has given mankind numerous contributions in the form of progress in science, technology, economic development, management, space exploration, and to some extend reality. Reflecting on the present state of our education system, one might even see the entry of women in many fields that was only a dream in the past. In India, any child below 14 years of age is eligible for free primary education.  In a way, our schools have turned out to be laboratories of sprouting creativity. Oh! but what is meant by creativity on the first hand.

The word creativity generates a sense of positive vibes in many of us. Creativity can be best described by its three characteristic features - it is effortless, it happens with a giving attitude, it is ever joyous. Recall, any instant in your daily life, where these three streams congregate. Watch for a day and discover what activates the creative energies in you. Everybody has one, only one has to search it inside and not on the outside. The purpose of education is to formalize (I would like to call it manifest though) the inherent creative energy flow in oneself. This journey of life is to enter into one's inner dimension and bring out that joy of creativity. The touch of pen, or the movement of the vocal chords or the expressions on a face becomes the instrument of this divine energy. It is time we start this journey, and for those who are already in the midst, let you be the light to direct the others.

Turning ones thoughts into creative endeavors

Everyone needs to have a goal to move forth. Set your goal on revealing this inner lamp, so that it might serve many co-passengers with you . Leave out the set backs by smoothening your skill to learn.  Experience the change in you, brought forth by your attitude. Remember, it is the most valuable word in English and also the most valuable tool in ones life.

 A thought leads to an action, an action into a habit, a habit into a character, and character decides your destiny

-Stay Blessed

The Science of Ayurveda

I would like to share a few glimpses which emphasizes that our heritage in medicine is valid in the present times with great relevance. Recently, I had an opportunity to attend a talk by a medical practitioner in Allopathy. She was of the opinion that the so-called western medicine addresses the symptoms  rather than treating the cause. The paradigm followed in the Ayurvedic culture is however different, she explains. Especially in an age where the lifestyle diseases - like diabetes, obesity are on the rise, the community needs a sensitization on the cause treatment. The brief idea is to first identify and treat the lower and deep seated cause of the disease rather than taking a peripheral symptomatic approach. In this context the science of how the traditional medicine works needs to percolate and be incorporated in our medical community.

The three doshas

The ayurvedic approach is to balance the thri-dosas : vata, pitta and kapha. The thri-doshas   are essential parts of the system, which when in excess  or less can cause disease. Thus here the approach is in stabilizing the balance rather than identifying a symptom based approach. Also, traditional ayurvedic medicines have a natural base and is less processed. This in turn contributes to the reduction of the unintended side-effects. From a general observation, it is seen that ayurvedic treatments are holistic - that is there is an equal priority for internal and external medicine. The internal medication may often involve diet restrictions, for proper digestion and sleep. As is often the case physical health needs to be in personal mode, and the practitioner is found to be less involved. One can easily pick this up from books or others who are regular in their daily exercises. The periodicity and the span of treatment are well discussed in ancient texts and are usually made clear by the practitioner.

The rise

It has been observed that the allopathic medicine grew its roots with the advent of the British rule in India. There has been tremendous growth in this domain, even in the post-independent era. Recent years have witnessed, people shifting their focus onto zero-side effect drugs, with the help of ayurveda. This trend has been seen in the consumer and marketing aspects also, with branding being often associated with the captions 'natural', 'zero-sugar', 'zero-cholesterol' etc. Also the western world has taken ayurveda to combat the major lifestyle diseases prevalent  there. Many medical doctors are seen to undertake education in ayurvedic practices under well known 'acharyas' or 'gurus' in the traditional schooling methods. The value of our ancient healthy and traditional culture is  documented in the revered works by Charaka, Susruta and Vaghbata.