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The crucial point of Maharishi's Vedic Education In his Global Press Conferences, Maharishi often speaks of Vedic Education and the establishment of Vedic Universities. On 18 August 2004, a member of the press inquired about the unique features of Maharishi's Vedic Education asking, 'Is there one crucial point of philosophy or methodology that distinguishes Maharishi's schools from all other schools in the world? What would it take to practically bring these unique features of Maharishi's Vedic Education into any school? ' Maharishi answers, 'It's a very beautiful question. The answer is: Total Knowledge will be given in Vedic Universities. Veda means Total Knowledge—Total Knowledge for everyone. We are able to really proclaim that because this is the proper system of gaining knowledge.' Maharishi elaborates by saying that in Vedic Education, Total Knowledge is primary and specific knowledge of each subject follows. He says, 'There are two approaches to knowledge. One . . . is: give the Total Knowledge first, and then, as constituents of that, elaborate on different fields of knowledge. This is one approach. 'The other approach is: don't tell him what Total Knowledge is; lead him from one area to another area to another area. How many areas you can lead him to? You would never reach the Totality by reaching one or two areas. This is the fragmented approach to knowledge, which is the situation with the present system of education. Physics, chemistry, physiology—so many different subjects—one would never get onto Total Knowledge. 'In the Vedic approach, Total Knowledge is given first, in one syllable. In one syllable "A", Total Knowledge is given out. Then, as different constituents of that Total Knowledge, instructions are given for engineering, medicine, architecture, agriculture, for this and for that. But the Total Knowledge is given first.' Maharishi continues with the rhetorical question, 'From where does this come?' He answers with a beautiful analogy of how a seed contains the whole tree within it: 'This comes from the very natural system of the evolution of a seed. There is hollowness inside a seed. If you give him the knowledge of the seed, then you say, "Now this is the seed of a mango, or seed of an apple, or whatever, and see how it sprouts, and how it grows: it becomes a branch, a leaf, a flower, and a fruit which is bitter first and then sweet later, and then again it becomes a seed." 'So you have given the knowledge of the whole tree when you have given him the knowledge of the seed. Otherwise, you give him the knowledge of the leaf, you give him the knowledge of the flower, you give him the knowledge of this branch, you give the knowledge of this or that—but you never give him the basic value of the leaf and the basic value of the flower. What is the basic value of the seed? The sap. And the sap comes from that hollowness.' Maharishi reiterates the importance of Total Knowledge in Vedic Education and explains its enormous significance in allowing the student to harness total Natural Law to work for him, bringing success without hard work. 'The Vedic system of teaching is: Total Knowledge first. When you have given him Total Knowledge, then as constituents of that Total Knowledge, you give him the perspective of different areas of knowledge. 'This is what makes a man a custodian of Total Knowledge. The proof of it comes when his thoughts are so knowledgeable that total Natural Law guides his thought. And when total Natural Law supports the thought, then infinite energy and intelligence propel the thought for action and the fruit of action. Immediately, the thought is materialized—so no hard work is necessary to actualize one's intention. This is the ability that the Vedic University brings to every student by bringing Total Knowledge.' In the press conference, Maharishi describes the present system of education as 'the blind leading the blind'. He says that in the time period in which we have been living, called Kali Yuga in Vedic terms, this situation is natural as Kali Yuga is a time of darkness. Maharishi has expressed that just as in the dark one cannot see one's way and therefore experiences problems, this has been the case in Kali Yuga. But just as the first ray of the morning sun dispels the darkness, so the light offered by Vedic Knowledge is changing the times to be the time of Sat Yuga, a time of enlightenment, when life is lived in the Light of God and is problem-free. It is a time when suffering belongs to no one. In the 18 August 2004 Global Press Conference, Maharishi contrasts the reality which Vedic Knowledge is bringing with the time of darkness saying, 'Now, with the grace of Guru Dev [Maharishi's teacher], the seven states of consciousness are rising to the supreme level of consciousness. In these forty, fifty years, a few people have started to practise this thing [Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation]. Now the time has come to open the gate to everyone, and this is what we are going to do. 'Peace Palaces will be places of Total Knowledge, like lamp-posts here, there, and everywhere. Hopefully soon, it will be possible to have these lamp-posts of Total Knowledge, lamp-posts of enlightenment, lighting their light in every country.' © Copyright 2008 Global Good News®
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