New sheet - 10/11 23:14

Cheatsheet Content

1. Value Education: Understanding and Application Value Education aims to help individuals understand and live by universal human values. It's not about moralizing, but about developing a clear understanding of what is 'right' and 'just' based on natural acceptance and its implications for happiness and harmony. Key Aspects: Purpose: To facilitate a holistic development of character and personality, leading to a harmonious society. Content: Focuses on universal human values like trust, respect, affection, care, guidance, reverence, glory, gratitude, and love. Process: Involves self-exploration, self-investigation, and self-verification based on one's own natural acceptance, rather than external imposition or dogma. Outcome: Leads to a clear understanding of what is naturally acceptable, resulting in continuous happiness and prosperity for all. Natural Acceptance: The innate, unchanging, and universal desire for happiness and well-being, which serves as a guide for living. It is self-evident and does not need proof. For example, everyone naturally accepts the idea of living in harmony, not in conflict. Levels of Living and Harmony: Human beings aspire for harmony at all four levels of living: Self (Individual): Harmony within oneself (thoughts, feelings, desires). Family: Harmony in relationships with family members. Society: Harmony in relationships with other members of society. Nature/Existence: Harmony in relationships with the rest of existence. 2. Co-existence (Sah-astitva): The Fundamental Reality Co-existence is the understanding that everything in existence is interconnected and exists together in harmony. It's the ultimate reality, encompassing units (material and conscious) submerged in space. Elements of Co-existence: Units: Distinct entities with specific activities and constitution. Material Units (Anu/Padarth): Temporary, active, and composed of matter and energy. They undergo formation and deformation. Examples: Earth, plants, animals, human bodies, air, water. Conscious Units (Jeevan/Self): Continuous, active, and composed of consciousness (Chit Shakti). They are the 'seer,' 'doer,' and 'enjoyer.' The 'Self' in humans is a conscious unit. Space (Shunya): Pervasive, all-encompassing, transparent, and in a state of equilibrium. It's the medium in which units exist and interact. Space is continuous and self-existent, providing the basis for co-existence. Implications: Recognizing co-existence leads to a feeling of interconnectedness, mutual fulfillment, and a reduction in conflict. For instance, understanding that our existence is intertwined with nature's well-being promotes environmental responsibility. Order in Nature and Co-existence: Existence manifests as four orders, each with its distinct activities and interdependencies: Material Order (Padarth Avastha): Soil, minerals, air, water, etc. Characterized by composition and decomposition. Plant Order (Pran Avastha): Plants, trees, vegetation. Characterized by growth and decay, nurturing the material order. Animal Order (Jeev Avastha): Animals, birds, insects. Characterized by body, 'Jeevan' (small Self), and will to live. Human Order (Gyan Avastha): Human beings. Characterized by body, 'Jeevan' (conscious Self), and the capacity for right understanding and self-reflection. All orders are mutually fulfilling. For example, plants purify air (material order) and feed animals and humans. Humans have a responsibility to uphold this mutual fulfillment through right understanding. 3. Spiritual Values: Beyond Materialism Spiritual values pertain to the realization of the 'Self' (Jeevan) and its relationship with the larger existence. They guide us towards a deeper understanding of purpose and meaning, transcending purely physical or material pursuits. Core Spiritual Values: Understanding the Self (Jeevan): Realizing that the 'Self' is distinct from the body, is continuous, and the source of desires, thoughts, and expectations. The Self is conscious, while the body is material. Harmony at all levels: Striving for harmony within oneself, with family, with society, and with nature. This is a progressive journey from individual peace to universal peace. Truthfulness (Satya): Living in accordance with the fundamental realities of existence and universal human values. It involves congruence between thought, word, and deed. Right Understanding (Gyan): Clear comprehension of existence as co-existence and the inherent harmony within it. It is the basis for all other values. Non-violence (Ahimsa): Not causing harm to any living being (human, animal, plant) through thought, word, or deed. It stems from the understanding of interconnectedness. Spiritual values are not necessarily religious, but rather universal principles for human flourishing and peace, leading to holistic development. Difference Between Self (Jeevan) and Body: Aspect Self (Jeevan) Body Nature Conscious (Chaitanya) Material (Jad) Activities Desiring, thinking, expecting, understanding Breathing, heart-beat, digestion, growth Continuity Continuous Temporary Needs Continuous happiness, trust, respect Temporary physical facilities (food, shelter) Response Definite (based on right understanding) Temporary, chemical/physical 4. Personal & Social Values: Foundation for a Fulfilling Life These values guide individual conduct and interactions within society, promoting well-being at both personal and collective levels. They are expressions of right understanding in our living. Personal Values: (Values related to individual conduct and character) Honesty (Imandari): Being truthful and transparent in all actions, thoughts, and communications. Reflects congruence. Integrity (Nishtha): Adhering to moral and ethical principles consistently, even when unobserved. Doing the right thing because it is right. Self-reliance (Swavalamban): Ability to depend on oneself and one's own resources for physical facilities and right understanding, rather than exploiting others. Diligence (Parishram): Careful and persistent work or effort with a sense of responsibility and purpose. Patience (Dhairyata): Ability to tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious, maintaining inner calm. Courage (Veerta): The ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation in pursuit of what is right. Social Values: (Values related to harmonious interaction within society) Respect (Samman): Recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of others, and evaluating them correctly. Compassion (Daya): Empathy and concern for the suffering of others, leading to a desire to alleviate it. Justice (Nyaya): Fairness and equity in treatment and distribution, ensuring mutual fulfillment in relationships. It is about identifying the right evaluation and ensuring mutual satisfaction. Cooperation (Sahyog): Working together for a common purpose, based on mutual trust and respect. Responsibility (Uttar-dayitva): Being accountable for one's actions and their impact on others, society, and nature. Equality (Samata): Treating all individuals with equal importance and dignity, irrespective of their background or status. These values are interconnected; strong personal values often lead to positive social interactions and contribute to a harmonious society. 5. Self-Exploration: The Path to Understanding Self-exploration is a systematic and critical investigation into one's own self, desires, thoughts, and natural acceptance. It's a continuous process of knowing oneself and one's relationship with the rest of existence, leading to self-realization and right understanding. Process of Self-Exploration: Verification based on Natural Acceptance: Questioning one's assumptions, beliefs, and proposals, and checking if they are naturally acceptable to oneself, irrespective of conditioning or external influence. This is a process of introspection. Experiential Validation: Testing the proposals derived from natural acceptance in one's living (behavior with humans, and work with the rest of nature), and observing the outcome. Behavior: Leads to mutual happiness. Work: Leads to mutual prosperity. Dialogue between 'What I am' and 'What I want to be': Bridging the gap between one's current state (driven by assumptions/conditioning) and desired state (driven by natural acceptance and harmony). This leads to self-correction. Benefits: Clarity about one's purpose, reduction of contradictions within the 'Self,' transformation from animal consciousness to human consciousness, and ultimately, continuous happiness and prosperity. Content of Self-Exploration: It involves exploring: Our Desires (Ichha): What do I truly want? Is it continuous happiness or temporary excitement? Our Thoughts (Vichar): What are my thoughts based on? Natural acceptance or conditioning? Our Expectations (Asha): What do I expect from myself, others, and nature? Are these expectations realistic and mutually fulfilling? Our Co-existence with all four orders: Understanding our role and responsibility in the larger existence. 6. Continuous Happiness & Prosperity: The Goal of Human Endeavor Continuous happiness and prosperity are not merely fleeting emotions or accumulation of wealth, but a state of being achieved through right understanding and living in harmony at all levels of existence. This is the universal aspiration of every human being. Understanding Happiness (Sukha): Happiness (Sukha): A state of being in harmony, where there is no contradiction or discomfort within the 'Self.' It is continuous, unconditional, and not dependent on external factors or sensory input. It arises from right understanding. Excitement (Suvidha): Temporary pleasure derived from sensory inputs or accumulation of physical facilities. It is short-lived and often followed by a feeling of emptiness or dissatisfaction. It is distinct from continuous happiness. Example: Eating a delicious meal provides temporary excitement. The feeling of trust and affection in a relationship provides continuous happiness. Understanding Prosperity (Samriddhi): Prosperity (Samriddhi): The feeling of having more than the required physical facilities. It's a mental state of abundance, not just material accumulation. It includes both the availability of physical facilities and the feeling of having enough. Requires: Right assessment of physical needs: Understanding how much is actually required for nurturing, protection, and right utilization of the body. Availability of physical facilities more than the assessed needs: Having access to these facilities. Feeling of having more than required: This is crucial. Without this feeling, mere accumulation doesn't lead to prosperity. Example: A person with modest means but a clear understanding of their needs and a feeling of contentment is prosperous. A billionaire who constantly feels they don't have enough is not prosperous. Key Connection: Right understanding leads to continuous happiness, which in turn leads to a clear assessment of needs, enabling the feeling of prosperity. Without right understanding, we chase temporary excitement and endless accumulation, never feeling truly happy or prosperous. 7. Harmony in Family Relationship: The Basic Unit of Society The family is the fundamental unit for human interaction and the first place where we learn about relationships. Harmony in the family is based on the fulfillment of universally accepted values in relationships, leading to mutual happiness. Nine Universal Feelings/Values in Relationships (Recognized & Fulfilled): Value Description Expression (in behavior) Trust (Vishwas) Assurance that the other intends my well-being and happiness. It is the foundational value in all relationships. Accepting the intention of others, even if their competence is lacking. Respect (Samman) Right evaluation of the other; seeing the other as a conscious 'Self' with the same desire for happiness and same potential for right understanding, unique and complementary to me. Not discriminating or evaluating based on body, beliefs, or temporary competence. Affection (Sneha) Feeling of being related to the other, naturally flowing from trust and respect. It's a feeling of acceptance and warmth. Unconditional acceptance, care, and a sense of belonging with the other. Care (Mamata) Feeling of responsibility for nurturing and protecting the body of a loved one. Providing for physical needs, health, and protection of the other's body. Guidance (Vatsalya) Feeling of responsibility for developing the competence (right understanding and right feeling) of the other 'Self'. Helping the other develop right understanding and resolve contradictions within their 'Self'. Reverence (Shraddha) Acceptance of excellence in the other. Feeling for those who have achieved right understanding and are committed to mutual happiness. Acknowledging, learning from, and being inspired by exemplary individuals. Glory (Gaurav) Feeling for those who have made sincere efforts for excellence and contributed to human welfare. Celebrating achievements, recognizing contributions, and expressing appreciation. Gratitude (Kritagyata) Feeling for those who have helped me achieve excellence or contributed to my well-being. Acknowledging and expressing thanks, feeling obliged, and reciprocating positively. Love (Prem) The complete value; the feeling of acceptance for all, and the desire for the happiness of all. It is an undivided feeling, extending to every unit in existence. Universal acceptance, compassion, and working for mutual fulfillment with all. Misconceptions: Often, relationships are based on physical attributes, wealth, or power, leading to conflict and unhappiness. Right understanding focuses on the 'Self' and its inherent desire for these universal feelings, leading to definite conduct and mutual fulfillment. Justice (Nyaya) in Relationships: Justice is the recognition, fulfillment, and evaluation of relationships, leading to mutual happiness. It has four elements: Recognition of values: Identifying the nine feelings in relationships. Fulfillment of values: Expressing these feelings in behavior. Evaluation of values: Checking if the expression leads to mutual happiness. Mutual happiness: The outcome of correctly recognizing, fulfilling, and evaluating values. When justice is ensured in all relationships, it leads to fearlessness in society. 8. Harmony in Society: From Family to World Family A harmonious family forms the basis for a harmonious society. When individuals and families live with right understanding, they naturally extend mutual trust and respect to others in society. Pillars of a Harmonious Society: Fearlessness (Abhay) in Society: Achieved through universal trust in relationships. When people trust each other, there is no fear of exploitation or injustice. Co-existence (Sah-astitva) in Nature: Achieved through mutual fulfillment with the rest of nature (plants, animals, material resources). These two pillars lead to an undivided society (Akhand Samaj). Universal Human Order (Sarvabhaum Vyavastha): The vision for a harmonious society includes the following dimensions: Education-Sanskar: Right understanding and holistic development for all. Health-Self-regulation: Physical health and mental self-control. Justice-Preservation: Mutual fulfillment in relationships and protection of nature. Production-Work: Mutually enriching production processes. Exchange-Storage: Right utilization and distribution of resources. This framework aims to establish a society where every individual can live with continuous happiness and prosperity, and all units in nature are mutually fulfilled. 9. Harmony in Nature/Existence: Co-existence in Action Harmony in nature is about understanding the inherent order and interconnectedness of all units in existence and living in a way that respects and maintains this balance. It's the recognition of co-existence as the fundamental reality. Cyclicity and Self-Regulation in Nature: Nature is inherently self-regulated and cyclic. For example, the water cycle, carbon cycle, and nitrogen cycle ensure balance and renewal. The growth and decay of plants, animals, and even mountains are part of natural cycles that maintain equilibrium. This self-regulation ensures that the various orders of nature are mutually enriching and do not deplete each other, unless disturbed by human intervention lacking right understanding. Human's Role in Nature: With right understanding, humans transition from being exploiters of nature to being protectors and enrichers of nature. Our work with nature should be: $ \text{Human Being} \xrightarrow{\text{Work}} \text{Rest of Nature} \rightarrow \text{Mutual Prosperity} $ Examples: Sustainable Agriculture: Producing food without depleting soil quality or using harmful chemicals. Renewable Energy: Utilizing solar, wind, and hydro power, which are in harmony with natural cycles. Conservation: Protecting biodiversity and natural ecosystems. By understanding the laws of nature and living in accordance with them, humans can achieve mutual prosperity and ensure the well-being of the entire ecosystem.