THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT IS always said that to every action there is a reaction, and rightly so. Therefore, if we continue to 'fight' crime, the natural reaction is a 'fight-back'. The question arises, then, what are we to do? The answer is embrace love.

Quite frankly, to anything and everything we generate too much energy, we allow for its manifestation, and crime is no exception. This is one of the laws of nature which, when violated, creates havoc and pandemonium. Crime is man-made, therefore, it can be eradicated with forceless force.

How can we rid ourselves of this scourge? The answer is within the question. The answer is within and upon all of us as a people. Starting from the centre of our being, we can begin the process. It is, indeed, a process in getting to that place of peace and tranquility.

The place to begin is within the homes, but considering the age of parents within these homes, our best and surest place is the school. The process is much more simple, than guidance and counselling. It is the introduction of value-based spiritual education to our children and parents alike. There must be a paradigm shift, wherein not only children are introduced to this most valuable aspect of a curriculum, but the parents as well. This subject can be easily integrated in our present curriculum with very little effort and it is worth trying.

This technique, of empowering our children from very early in their lives through the process of a value-based education, can and will only bring about the positive transformation of their lives. This transformative process will result in peace within and without, love and respect for self and others. Hence, there will be a noticeable change in their behaviour.

We all know that education is giving a child a firm foundation. This base, as written in the Sahaj Marg Research and Training Institute booklet, states that the child will stand upon a rock, having a faith where he can say, "Well the winds of the world can blow upon me, but they cannot shake me off this pedestal." A foundation cannot be formed by anything other than values, which are invisible, but are nevertheless there, like the foundation of a house which is built but is never seen.

This may sound like something that we are accustomed to hearing but must be put into action if we intend to foster peace.

This value-based spiritual education includes topics such as 'Nature', 'Who am I', 'Body, Mind, Intellect', 'Life', 'No Change/No Future', 'Prayer', and 'God - The Creator'.

I am, etc.,

CATHERINE JOHNSON

catsjoh@yahoo.com

1 East Pine Way, Kingston 6

Via Go-Jamaica