Value Inculcation through Self Observation P L Dhar

Value Inculcation through Self Observation P. L. Dhar I. I. T. Delhi

Why Talk about Values ? • Value crisis is the root of all social and technogenic maladies • Aristotle “. . the fate of empires depends on the education of the youth. ” • Consequences of neglect of value education: “perfection of means and confusion of the ends” ……. . Einstein • What is education ? …Vision of Holistic Education

Education today • Best education No discussion on Values Pleasant is good ! We become felicity computers! material acquisitions Assured high paying job Ad hoc living Nothing beyond next few steps Materialistic world view Happiness lies solely in sensory pleasures

Why Value Erosion ? Values emanating from materialistic world view => greed, selfishness, corruption, Unhealthy competition , jealousy, strife, tension , Ill will, crime, violence Erosion of Human Values like truthfulness, straightforwardness, friendliness, compassion, sharing, humility, forgiveness…. is a direct outcome of this crass materialistic world view

Imperatives of Value Education • Change in World view from materialistic to holistic. . . …humanistic , more to life than wealth, health and even fame ! =>Value education How to bring about this change ? Intellectual appreciation Value Inculcation Analyzing life’s experiences Science : what is the nature of reality? Mind control and purification Should be a part of Educat ion

What is Education ? • Education is that which remains, when one has forgotten all that he learned in school • The most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not… • Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence • Education is not filling a bucket but lighting a fire. • back

Education : Indian Perspective Vidyaya amritam ashnute Sa vidya ya vimuktaye Education is the manifestation of perfection already in Man

Education Understanding the “Phenomenon of Man” Spiritual Intellectual Emotional Physical Ability to Keep the body fit & strong Increasing Emotional maturity Ability to understand the world Holistic

Essence of Value Education • Value Education = Emotional Education + Spiritual Education • How to refine the emotions ? …. . How to actually purify the mind of baser tendencies, the mental defilements ? • How to develop insight, not mere intellectual knowledge, about the nature of human reality ? • Value Inculcation not mere sensitization

Knowing vs Imbibing Values • Duryodhana’s dilemma • janami dharamam na ca me pravritt janami adharmam na ca me nivritti. • St Paul : I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. • Chasm between conscious & unconscious mind – actions governed more by likes /dislikes than by intellect • Practical training in mental purification • Vipassana- self observation-- as taught by the Buddha

Why does the mind become impure ………. …. . . 1 • General perception : when we come in contact with anything unpleasant, what we dislike……anger, despair, ill will etc. arise • when we come in contact with anything pleasant, which we like…. . greed, desire to have more, jealousy etc. arise • If this be the ultimate truth : change the surroundings ; escape from these states quickly

Why does the mind become impure ……. . . …. 2 Cognition Evaluation Sensation-feeling Blind reaction mind more impure Bare observation experience of impermanence development of insight

Why does the mind become impure…………. . . …. 3 • Modern studies also agree that sensations play a crucial role in emotion but most of the time these are below the threshold of our awareness, yet the subconscious mind feels and blindly reacts to them……. We do not like/dislike things but the sensations-feelings caused by those things Develop the ability to feel these sensations, not react to them blindly, but observe these equanimously

TRAINING IN SELF OBSERVATION--VIPASSANA • Five Precepts (sila): Abstaining from • killing stealing intoxicants • false speech sexual misconduct • Anapana : Non reactive observation of breath (samadhi) – – – why breath as an object for concentration universal, always available, neutral directly related to mind concentration with equanimity ensures progressive increase of concentration

TRAINING IN SELF OBSERVATION … 2 • Vipassana : Complete direct & immediate mindfulness of whatever happens in the bodymind complex • “bare” observation of somatic sensations • Observing sensations leads to deep equanimity through development of insight into fundamental insignia of life : – impermanence un-satisfactoriness impersonality • Equanimity is purity !quotes

Spiral of sila samadhi and panna samadhi sila pragya Purification of mind

VIPASSANA IN EDUCATION v. Self control of Impulses vhabit of non reactive observation permits -look before you leap , mindfulness is like the brakes of a car vreduction in rash, aggressive & unethical behaviour, intolerance, intemperance {Emotional Education} § Equanimity in the face of vicissitudes of life § reduction in escapism i. e. drugs, smoke, alcohol § Attenuation of greed & acquisitiveness § manifestation of loving kindness, compassion, service etc. : the higher needs of Maslow

VIPASSANA IN EDUCATION. . v. Proper self appraisal - knowledge of strengths and weaknesses v increases compassion, forgiveness, humility and reduces vanity- improvement in interpersonal relationships v. Insight into the basic characteristics of life vcomprehending the meaning of life and its goal, the way to achieve it and the confidence that it can be done! {spiritual education}

VIPASSANA IN EDUCATION. . • Increase in creativity • Increase in concentration • avoiding day-dreaming , improved grasping power, examination blues {mental education} • Inculcation of Scientific temper • practice of bare attention • experience of “dissolution” & quantum-physics • Improvement in student-teacher relationship

Concluding Remarks Inculcation of values is the prime purpose of education Mere intellectual appreciation is not enough for value inculcation, practical training in purification of mind is necessary Self observation at the depth- at the level of somatic sensations- is the key. Pure mind is naturally free from acquisitiveness, and full of love, compassion and equanimity …. . herein lies the solution to the problems facing mankind today

Thank you!