Creating Change: Passion-Driven Education for Today's World

Nelson Mandela stated, "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." But what does education mean? H. Emily Cady, author of the classic Lessons in Truth, noted that the word education comes from the Latin word educare, which means to "draw out that which lies within."

Those words came up for me as I listened to an interview with Vishen Lakhiani, a young and successful Malaysian entrepreneur and CEO of Mindvalley.

Mindvalley supports businesses that align with its goal of pushing humanity forward. During the interview, Vishen describes his educational experience in his native country and at the university he attended in the United States. 

Vishen noted that he was considered an intelligent student. Despite having a lousy schooling experience in Malaysia, he was frequently at the top of his class. He ended up attending and graduating from an elite engineering school.

However, Vishen believed that the education system failed him because it sought to create people who would merely become cogs in a machine. This system is based on the Industrial Era when businesses wanted people trained to be workers.

However, in the modern world, one cannot be genuinely happy and fulfilled if they are simply a worker. A person is gratified when they are doing something that ignites their passion. Vishen suggests that they can range from aspiring artists who create works that inspire them, to entrepreneurs who are internally driven because what they do draws the best out of them. 

If he could change the education system, Vishen would move from linear education, where one moves from one grade to the next based on passing subjects designed by committee, to "passion-based education." Passion-based education is where students study subjects that drive them and learn skills that help them grow personally and spiritually.

Imagine kids learning the importance of meditation to deal with the stresses of their teenage years. Imagine educating students about social skills and subjects like compassionate communication that addresses the challenge of bullying. Imagine an education curriculum that included teaching concepts of mind-body health and wholeness. Imagine a curriculum where students learn visualization and how to use affirmations to help them succeed in life.

Compassion-based learning is the type of education that will help students become better versions of themselves and more fully express their personal and spiritual potential. This type of education will transform our world for the better.

Peace and Blessings,

James