“Know Thyself” is teaching meditation in several private schools. Its vice-secretary speaks about the response it has received and why he hopes it’ll be taught in the country’s public schools.
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“Know Thyself” is carrying out a self-education programme in several private schools across the country. What does it consist of and what are its objectives?
It’s known as the science of self-education, which Swami Paramananda is propagating in five private schools. I must emphasize that self-education is not a subject like mathematics or English. It’s a science that everybody, not just students, should get to know. In brief, it’s the overall development of the self. According to psychologists, we only use 5 % of our conscious. We must thus attempt to transform our unconsciousness into consciousness.
How does one reach such a lofty state?
One can learn from a meditation master and through various techniques. There are thousands of different techniques but the master will decide on the technique, depending on the person before him. For example, an aggressive person will be taught dynamic techniques, such as rebirth therapy. An atheist, on the other hand, will be given techniques to transform his unconsciousness into consciousness.
What has the general response been to the school programme?
The response in the schools we’ve begun implementing the programme in, such as Eden, Universal and Bhujoharry colleges, has been very good. The students are given plenty of academic subjects, almost to the point of saturation. It’s important to try to lower the stress level that all these expectations bring in order to help the students become more emancipated as human beings. Once somebody is fulfilled, he becomes more creative and more peaceful.
«Happiness is increasingly being defined as getting a good job and a good salary. These can only fulfill a person partially. Without inner peace, not even a lot of money can bring happiness.»
You talk about the need for emancipation. Why is this important?
Happiness is increasingly being defined as getting a good job and a good salary. These can only fulfill a person partially. Without inner peace, not even a lot of money can bring happiness. On the other hand, if someone achieves inner peace, he will not search for drugs or alcohol. Increased consciousness will prepare him to manage his problems without resorting to negative activities.
You seem to think that the traditional system of education does not completely fulfill people. Why?
It’s obvious if you take a look around Mauritius and even in the world in general. Finland and Singapore, for example, have very high levels of education but also a high suicide rate. This clearly shows that there is a big problem with the current system.
Do you have any plans to bring self-education to the country’s public schools?
We have approached the ministry of Education several times. Until now however, our attempts have been unsuccessful. We think it’s fundamental to begin educating people from a young age. Think about a tree. If it begins growing in the wrong direction then, chances are, it’ll continue growing in that direction for the rest of its life. In French, the saying goes, “Tout se joue avant sept ans”. We hope the minister will give us the chance to deliver self-education to all the students in Mauritius. There is also a need to educate the teachers and parents.
Tell us a bit more about the organization’s other activities. For example, it is currently implementing a meditation programme in two prisons. How has this been received by the prisoners?
“Know Thyself” organizes meditation sessions across the island, in places such as Dubreuil, where our center is located, and in St-Pierre and Surinam. Meditation is synonymous with self-education. We also have an ongoing meditation programme in the prisons. On Wednesdays, we go to the Petit Verger prison and on Fridays, to the Central Prison in Beau-Bassin. About 25 prisoners regularly attend our sessions during which we try to inculcate them with the notion that everybody can attain the highest peak of consciousness. It’s not because they did something wrong once that they should be rejected for the rest of their lives. It’s possible for them to achieve positive things. We also try teaching them that they are made of more than just a body. This will be very useful to them once they leave prison. It’s not like an exam for which you receive a mark. Meditation is a personal experience. Everybody feels it in a different way. The programme’s been going on for 14 weeks and the feedback has been very positive. We plan to organize meditation sessions in other prisons as well.
