The Real Freedom

      A great philosopher once said, human being is born free but is chained everywhere. Every human being from the depth of heart desires to be free. The freedom is often thought to choose or do what one feels and wants. But freedom is to come to realization of one ’s self and at the same time accept ones own limitations as much as strengths. In other words, “Freedom is enjoyed within the limits’.

Freedom From: Human beings in some situation become the subjects of unusual restrains. They do something out of force and not out of love. People become free once the unusual restrains are removed. For example, during the British rule, India fought for freedom because we were under unusual restrains.

Freedom To: It is the capacity of a person to act according to his wishes and carry out duties and responsibilities. Here, one may or may not fulfill the obligations expected of him. If the person wishes to take drugs is free to take. It is out of one’s choice but may lead to bad consequences.

Freedom For: This is an important aspect of freedom. It is committing oneself totally and wholly to the purpose and also works to make that purpose a reality. It is fully flows from the love for oneself and to the whole society.

Freedom With: The act of freedom is not an independent act. My actions out of freedom affect another as we are living in society. I become free and my freedom is accepted as long as I respect the other. Thus, human being becomes free when he is able to work in harmony with other human beings. 

Don Bosco and Preventive System

St John Bosco commonly known as Don Bosco belongs to 19^th century epoch educationalist. I call him educationist because he had introduced a new system of education called the Preventive System into pattern of education basing on the Christian principles but the system as such can be used irrespective of religion and creed because of magnanimity and essence of system. The preventive system of Don Bosco is based on three pillars namely, Reason, Religion and Loving Kindness. Let me attempt to explain each of the principle in gist. The whole aim of the system is to produce, ‘Honest Human Beings and Good Citizens’.

Reason: The educator in educating the young to life, must not loose the sight of rationality. It is with the help of reason, that the student develops a good and integrated personality. In everything that educator does, the student must see the proper reason. If the teacher punishes, the boy must happily accept knowing his/her weakness. In other words, the constant presence of the educator keeps the student away from evil.

Religion: India is a land of diverse religions and faiths. Whatever religion, the students may belong, there is in each of them, a consciousness that directs life. It constantly pricks the student to choose good and avoid bad. In simple words, ‘ I am the captain of myself’ and so education must help student to follow his conscience.

Loving Kindness: Don Bosco said, ‘Love what the young loves and then make them love what you love’.  It is constant outpouring of love from the side of educator and at same time being firm in making the student to follow the rules and laws of the institute. The preventive system becomes blind in the absence of love.

The preventive system thrives and becomes powerful when there is the constant presence of educator, individuals decision to follow his own conscience and constant outpour of love from the part of educator.