BY EDISON MARTE SICAD
THERE IS this book by FJ Sheed entitled Theology and Sanity. It was an old book, first published in 1947. I read it when I was in college. This is the kind of book that, like the Bible (and the other great masterpieces), has an inexhaustible wealth for learning.
One lesson I learned from that book is about the “insufficiency of man.” Man, in contrast to what Protagoras said, is not the measure of all things. In other words, we cannot deny that there are universal values, eternal verities, standards in life, to which man must comply for man to become fully human.
And man cannot do away with learning. To know thyself is not just a philosophical aphorism, it is a personal responsibility. For if there is one thing that learning — and learning institutions must promote, it is the healing effect of knowing. That, supposedly, studying is the preparation for a good and virtuous life.
Of course, learning is difficult. It has to be. That’s why a person who lives with responsibility can maintain a healthy mental state. But this human act must be connected to a divine purpose. For with all the uncertainties in life, man is inundated by options and choices; choices that can eventually liberate or enslave him.
That’s why education is very powerful, especially now that technology is doing most of the “work in learning” and learners, with no hesitation, would just decide to copy paste.
In this article, I am also putting forward my (unsolicited) opinion that the best solution to mental depression or mental health issues is spirituality or learning about one’s faith.
For a person to learn holistically, that is, appreciating the facts in the context of universal truths, understanding world events in relation to spiritual beliefs, and putting significance and meaning to the ephemerals as part of the infinite reality, a touch of the divine is necessary.
As the saying goes, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Question: When was the last time you really felt to be “fully” free? Free to dream? Free to live? Free to believe?
All of this can be learned. To engage the mind not only with the frenetic happenings in social media, but with the therapeutic learning from timeless ideas, this is learning with freedom. This is learning with responsibility.
Allow me to share with you this Youtube link. These videos have a higher purpose. This is a lecture series by Dr. Peter Kreeft aimed to widen and deepen our perspective about the world in general and about our own life in particular.
This is the link to the Word on Fire Institute Lecture Series of Dr. Peter Kreeft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPb1x3cHLNY&list=PPSV
Lastly, to students out there, do not just spend your time learning for the grades, important that may be. Also, devote your time learning about how to become a better person, because you are also important. Worthy of love, full of potential, and blessed with opportunities for growth and learning./PN
