education ethics

Reflecting on my journey as both a pediatrician and a parent, I am reminded of the many faces that have passed through my clinic: little ones with wide eyes and dreams untarnished by the world, parents whose love and concern for their children reveal an earnest search for guidance. My own path has been enriched and shaped by these experiences, and as a spiritual seeker, I’ve found grounding in the teachings of Sai Baba. His wisdom has been a beacon, illuminating the responsibilities and joys of parenting with spirituality and practicality.

One day, a moment stood starkly in my memory. A young boy came into my clinic, timid, with an insistent cough that didn’t seem to worry him half as much as it worried his mother. Through our conversation, I realized her distress wasn’t solely about his ailment; rather, it was steeped in larger fears about his future. Would he be healthy? Would he make wise choices? Would he grow into a compassionate human being? In that moment, my role expanded beyond being a pediatrician—I became a guide, helping her see that her concerns could be addressed by focusing on her son’s Four Pillars of Life: Health, Relationships, Financial Values, and Knowledge.

Health is a foundation, the vessel that moves us through life’s voyage. As parents, we can cultivate it by nurturing healthy thoughts—a pillar first built in the mind. A positive mindset, fueled by a nutritious diet and balanced activity, leads to robust emotions and healthy actions, ultimately reflecting in the physical vigor of our children. Daily routines, such as shared family walks or preparing meals together, offer simple yet profound ways of instilling these values.

I once observed a father, dedicated despite his own hectic schedule, make it a ritual to play football with his son each evening. The joy on that boy’s face was matched only by the pride in his father’s eyes. This was more than exercise; it was a joyous reinforcement of health as a shared family value.

Relationships, the second pillar, thrive on the bedrock of love and empathy. Conscious communication and active listening form the keystones of understanding and connection. I remember guiding a family struggling with discord between siblings. By encouraging them to express gratitude daily, even for small gestures, a new harmony blossomed. They kept a gratitude journal, a practice steeped in Sai’s teachings, which transformed their interactions and made their bonds stronger.

Financial Values, often neglected, are best taught through example and age-appropriate conversations. By integrating seva, or service activities, children learn the value of money and generosity hand in hand. One family I knew spent Sundays volunteering at a local shelter, an act of service that instilled in their children the profound understanding that true wealth is found in selfless acts of love and compassion.

Knowledge, the final pillar, isn’t limited to academics but extends to wisdom drawn from life’s lessons and spiritual insights. Introducing children to the joy of learning through everyday experiences fosters curiosity and humility. As Swami suggests, when we allow knowledge to flow guided by character, it builds not just informed minds but wise hearts.

Together, these pillars are fortified by the T.E.A.R. Formula: Thoughts shape Emotions, which guide Actions, culminating in Results. It’s a cycle of growth best nurtured through value-based upbringing, discipline with love, and the strength of moral values in daily actions.

In closing, I offer you one of Sai Baba’s quotes that continues to resonate with me: “The end of education is character. End of wisdom is freedom. End of culture is perfection. End of knowledge is love.”

Please share your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comment box below. I read every comment with love and deep respect.