Learning is a lifelong process both in terms of duration and diversity. A key element in lifelong learning is receptivity or openness. It is to retain a youthful mind even when the body continues to age. It is a mind that is ready to learn new things, relearn and improve the known things, and unlearn the outdated things. Lifelong learning also has, in a sense, a spiritual dimension. It lies in the humility to accept that there is no end to learning. When we are ready to learn and our power of receptivity is awakened, the whole world becomes a school and every life experience a teacher.
Today, technologies are rapidly evolving and changing life patterns within a lifetime. New ways of inexpensive printing, internet, and multimedia are ushering in radical changes and creating new complexities and contradictions in individual and social life. This flux in social groupings, economics, technology and Nature necessitates a regular revaluation and reframing of our thinking on education and learning. Various national and international education commissions are making serious efforts to answer such questions by redesigning the goals of education, the curriculum, and the tools of delivery.
Education is the greatest force for civilization. Passing on to the next generation the cumulative knowledge of sciences, technology, arts, fine arts, ethical values and spiritual realizations, in short the whole of civilizational heritage depends in the widest sense of education. In fact, the survival of human society depends on education. Experts in education have begun to emphasise that we should teach our children to be learners, rather than providing them occupational training, because the jobs that are available today may not exist tomorrow. Therefore, we must make learning about education itself a lifelong endeavour.
The policy makers in the field of education must themselves continue to learn and relearn their idea of education. Only then they will be able to revaluate and recognize their perspectives, priorities and practices in the education system and cater to the contemporary needs. Apart from learning to accumulate information, students must be trained in the art of inner assimilation through openness of mind, power of receptivity and above all, the humility to be lifelong learners. Studying and contemplating on the different perspectives and practices in education therefore warrants continuous effort from all thinkers and policy makers in the educational system. So let us learn to learn!
Dr. Mahesh Chandra Panda
Yoga and Spirituality 
I have referred the Editorial article ‘Learn to Learn’ published in The Vedanta Kesari-A Cultural and Spiritual Monthly of the Ramakrishna Order since 1914 Vol. 103 No.12 December 2016 Special Issue on ‘Education-Perspectives & Practices’ in drafting my article ‘Learn to Learn’.
Thanks for referral. Necessity is mother of invention. Learning is first thing, taught after birth and should continue throughout life. It has been well emphasized in this article and writing anything else would amount to repetition. As life and society progresses, new situations demand learning and every knowledge should be passed on to next generation. Very well said! Love to Snigdha.
Thanks Dr Goyal for his valuable comment on the article ‘Learn to Learn’ emphasizing as life and society progresses, new situations demand learning and every knowledge should be passed on to next generation.
Respected Sir,
The topic ‘Learn to Learn’ posted in Yoga and Spirituality website is viable and worthy one for eye-catching to learn again and again. The topic is an inspiring one. Actually attitude of learning makes the body and mind much sound and energetic of learners. No iota of doubt it posts or reflects reality of life that measures its own potentiality so that other can explore and reap benefit easily. Hence learning is a process of Sadhana and Skillfull one. As it is an unending process one has to remain childlike to have mastery as tempo on track.Then only he will become emancipated and be a source of light.This is the ethic of Indian culture to build sound human society.So learning without ego makes man spiritual one. At last he will acquire all fields of knowledge and depart with bye bye and remains as God-like. This is the process of realisation for liberation from the cult of birth and death cycle. Hence I must exhort the need to remain as obedient child especially in the field of learning and be like a ‘Rising Sun’.
With Regards,
Thanking You
Your Divine Brother
Dr Binod Bihari Naik
Bargarh Odisha
Thanks Dr Binod Bihari Naik for his valuable comment on the article ‘Learn to Learn’ that learning is a process of Sadhana and Skillfull one.
Thanks ji for giving another excellent article. Life is nothing but learning only. No body can say I know all and everything. Because life is mysterious one. “Learn to Learn” what a finishing touch.
Thanks Dhandapaniji for his valuable comment on the article ‘Learn to Learn’ that “Life is nothing but learning only”.
Dear Sir,
Nice encapsulation of need of refined learning to become future ready. I would like to highlight the negative side of the technology ; that, we are believing on the spims, hoaxes & spams received through social media. Which should be shared or accepted by validation of the fact and to know from which source it came. The latest example of the hoax could be “GPS chip in new Rs. 2000 currency note” ; I have received this through a WhatsApp group and I started believing it, even if I always update myself about latest gadgets and technology.We all know that, seeing is believing, but in today’s tech era we are in an illusion of social media and viral news thereto.
Secondly I would tell about a study done by an organization regarding creativity and impact of Technology thereof. It shows that people are more busy in copy- pasting and forwarding instead of creating a fresh message. In short we should be very careful about the adverse effects of Technology, which is spreading wrong things silently.
Om Sai Ram.
Thanks Tapas for his valuable comment on the article ‘Learn to Learn’ stressing on the fact that we should be very careful about the adverse effects of Technology, which is spreading wrong things silently.
Namste Dr.Pandaji.
I read with great interest your article “Learn to Learn”. It is an undisputable universal fact that there is no age-limit & time-limit for learning. The learning process evolves right from the time a baby is born and continues till death. Learning is not constrained to humanity alone, but is equally applicable to animals, trees, birds et al. There is no limit to what one can learn. Even an erudite scholar who might have earned the ultimate number of degrees & qualifications will still have a lot to learn.There is an adage that what one has learnt is just a fistful & just a drop in the ocean.
Thanks Dr.Pandaji for the very thought-provoking article “Learn to Learn”.
Regards
Sekhar
Thanks Sekharji for his valuable comment on the article ‘Learn to Learn’ that It is an undisputable universal fact that there is no age-limit & time-limit for learning.
Pranam kaka,
A very nice article about learning which is a never ending process in human life. Curiosity is what makes us try something until we can do it or think about something until we understand it. We only learn to extend our capacities in environments that support and feedback to us, allow us to sense ourselves – on the very edge of our experiencing. If we want to help people to learn to extend their capacities for learning we must meet them on the edge of their learning.
Thanks Purnima for her valuable comment on the article ‘Learn to Learn’ that “If we want to help people to learn to extend their capacities for learning we must meet them on the edge of their learning”.
Respected Sir,
Thank you for sharing your nice article ‘Learn to Learn’. Sorry that my comment not posted earlier due to technical error. Yes,learning is a continuous process irrespective of age or stage. Bhagvat Gita says-learn humbly from experienced person. Odia Bhagabata says-‘bruddhe jananti nana katha….’I always wanted to learn from others like you because my life span as well as experience limited. Learning should be internalized with manifestation in own behaviour/practice. Now a days there is no value based education. Qualification is not indicator of education.So we have to learn to make learn children.
Thanking you with high regards.
Thanks Prakash for his valuable comment on the article ‘Learn to Learn’ that Learning should be internalized with manifestation in own behaviour/practice.
Dear Sir,
Namaskar.
I read your article ‘Learn to Learn’. You have described the article clearly and vividly which enlighted me deeply. It is a very nice article which is applicable for all categories of Human Society.This article shows depth of your knowledge and experience. Everybody will learn every thing and obliged to you. I hope you continue to write such type of article for the society.
Thanking You,
Madhusudan Mahunta
Sohela,Bargarh Odisha
Thanks Mahunta babu for his valuable comment on the article ‘Learn to Learn’ mentioning that It is a very nice article which is applicable for all categories of Human Society.
Respected Sir,
Namaskar.
A nice article which described about Learning. Some where I read, “It’s easy to see aspiration as either there or not; You want to learn a new skill or you don’t; You have ambition and motivation or you lack them; But great learners can raise their aspiration level and that’s key, because everyone is guilty of sometimes resisting development that is critical to success”.
Your path for most effective learning is through knowing yourself, your capacity to learn, the process you have successfully used in the past and your interest to acquire knowledge of the subject you wish to learn. An article by you from your experience as a great learner which is also the key point of your success in life.
Kedarnath Sahu
Science Teacher
Sohela, Bargarh Odisha
Thanks Kedar for his valuable comment on the article ‘Learn to Learn’ mentioning that “It’s easy to see aspiration as either there or not; You want to learn a new skill or you don’t; You have ambition and motivation or you lack them; But great learners can raise their aspiration level and that’s key, because everyone is guilty of sometimes resisting development that is critical to success”.