|
Development is a new process, so is discipline. Man has in all ages conceived development and has also made efforts to bring it about. If we travel
back in time, we find that Krishna, Mahavira, Buddha and countless wise and erudite thinkers tried to make their times better. Everyone wants to see that man improves progressively. In recent years also books like
Daffler's ‘Third Wave’ and Kapra's ‘Tao Of Physics’ represent the same urge. They indicate the need for something new.
The Concept Of Subject-Oriented Man
Until now, man has been object-oriented.
Even Einstein conceived man as object-oriented. When asked what he would like to be next, Einstein replied, ' I have worked more on the object in this
life, now I wish in the next life I should do more work on the subject and try to know him who knows. So far I have worked on that which is known, now I want to work on that who knows.'
The time has come that man should try to become subject-oriented.
The Dream Of A New Man
In fact, there is a universal desire for development and novelty.
Mahatma Gandhi presented a model of a better man. Maharishi Arvind (Sri Aurobindo) also conceived superman as development beyond man as he is. Anuvrat has
likewise conceived a new man.
It is a fascinating idea. The birth of a new man means structuring a new brain.
Why Does It Happen?
Brain specialist post three layers of the brain :
- The limbic system
- Reptilian system
- Neokortex system
Which of these layers affects modern society? Sometimes we are assailed by perplexing questions: Even though educated, why has this man accepted
bribes? Known to be very wise why has this man committed suicide? Even though prudent, why has this man indulged in bank dacoity?
The questions were answered in old times in particular way. Using the language of Karmavad the Jain (see: Jainism) Acharyas have the following answer: ‘These
things happen because of Moha Karma - the fourth deluding Karmas at whose appearance a soul is subject to attachment, hatred, passion, sexual enjoyment and falsehood.'
Similarly, in the geeta (see: Bhagavadgita), when asked why man unwittingly falls a victim to sinful deeds, Lord Krishna replied,’ All the criminal aberrations are the direct result of Kaam (desires/passion) and Krodh (anger).’
Today's scientist does not concern himself with Moha, Kaam and Krodh. He explains the phenomenon differently: Man practices injustice and oppression,
transgresses and spreads terror whenever he is under the dominant influence of the reptilian brain.
The View Of The Brain Sciences
The Brain Sciences maintain that the above layer is millions of year old and came into being in the reptilian creatures. It persist to this day in the
human brain. The reptilian brain has an extreme short memory of about 20 seconds and has to decide again and again about all our survival functions.
Modern scientists do not subscribe to the view that it is the mullahs and Pandits who cause communal frenzy. They are only instrument in bringing it
about. The real cause of the communal strives lies in the reptilian layer of the brain. Undoubtedly, religious leaders activate it and bring people under its dominating influence. Nothing of the kind would happen if
the reptilian layer were not there.
When Will The New Man Be Born?
The concept of new man implies restructuring the human brain so that the dominant role is played by another part of the brain. The influence of the
animal brain is to be curbed and that of the last layer, Neokortex, is to be made prominent.
It would change our life's direction and a new man would be born, who would be immune to communal frenzy and would not indulge in inessential violence.
Three Principles
Anuvrat has put forward three principles:
- Do not indulge in inessential violence.
- Do not spread communal frenzy and do not practice untouchability (Indian low caste).
- Do not be wedded to sectarianism and do not shed blood in the name of religion.
Observance of these principles can lead to the birth of new man. He will be worthy of living on this earth and he will make the earth a worthy place to
live on.
Today man is dreaming of building cities in space. Some are heard saying that cities would be built under the ground too. But the same man will people
these cities who lives on the earth now. How can then one expect that peace would prevail in the new cities? They would be as disturbed as this world.
Therefore, the first thing for man to do is to be worthy of living on this earth. And this will be possible only when he gets rid of self-conceit or
personal vanity.
Self-Conceit For What?
There is a story mentioned in one of the Puranas. Once a husband and a wife felt a strong inner urge to spiritual practice. Both set out on the quest together but in different
directions. Their spiritual practice lasted several years during which period they acquired certain metaphysical powers also. Having accomplished the goal they started their journey back.
They met half way and greeted each other. The husband felt conceited about his metaphysical power and refused to talk there. He asked his wife to go
walking on the water and talk there. The wife could see through his vanity and in order to beat him on his own ground suggested that they should talk while flying in the sky.
The lesson was driven home, since he did not have the metaphysical power of flying. Then the wife said, ‘Why should any thing make one conceited? Even
a small fish can float on water and a trivial bee can fly in the sky. Why should we not train all our practice at enabling us to walk the earth worthily and to make the earth a worthy place to live on?’
State Of The Law Of The Jungle
One has the feeling that the earth is not a place worth living on; only that one cannot help living on it. It is full of too many problems to let
people live in peace. Look at the mega cities accommodating millions of people and breeding all kinds of evils like blackmailing, terrorising, thieving, raping, and kidnapping. Law and order seem to have broken down
completely, leading a jungle-like state.
Attention will have to be paid to the brain for making a new man.
Innumerable people are busy trying to bring about a change in the social system. Similarly, a large number of people are making efforts to change the
economic system. The twentieth century has seen efforts at changing both the social and economic systems, and even now, they are continuing. Has any success been achieved?
In spite of them neither the social nor the economic system has changed. Plans to end hunger, poverty and price escalation remain confined within
election manifests. What has really happened is that rich have grown richer and the poor have become poorer.
Two Ways Of Effecting Change
We can identify the cause of failure if we take into consideration both, the spiritual and the scientific contexts.
Spiritually speaking, the cause lies in the fact that society is doing nothing to subdue lust, anger, passion, conceit, and greed; on the contrary it
is inciting them all the more. If the process and education of subduing passions is started, both the social and economic systems can be changed.
From the stand point of science, the cause of the failure lies in the hyperactivity of the left lobe of the brain. No efforts are being made to
activate the right lobe.
In my opinion, the above two ways are about the best for changing the system. The present state is like one in which the car engine is being constantly
changed and improved but complete indifference is being shown to the driver.
We may produce the best and the most advanced aircraft, motor car and ship, but they may turn out to be instruments of disaster in the absence of a
skilled pilot, driver or captain. It is here that the problem exists and it should be properly attended to.
Factors For Effecting Change
Anuvrat says that no system, howsoever good, will ensure good results unless the quality of the individual is good.
Do we not have a good constitution? Do we lack a good jurisprudence? Both are questionably good, but the important thing is the quality of those who
have the responsibility of applying and implementing them.
But how can the problem be solved? The solution lies in activating the layer of the Neokortex brain. It is beyond the ability of political parties and
various institutes and organisations.
For effecting the change the following three factors are responsible :
- Primary Education
- The Media
- Religious Teachers
Education
Primary education is very important for structuring the new brain, for education helps develop the child's brain. It is between the ages of five and
ten years that the crucial decision has to be taken as to which layer of the brain has to be made more effective.
There will be no need to worry about the college and university education, if we succeed in arranging the right type of primary education. By
giving proper attention to the child and its brain up to he or she enters the secondary stage, it should be possible to change the social and economic systems, and to control exploitation, crime and corruption.
But the difficulty lies also in the fact that education itself has become a big problem. Unless education is attended to a reasonable extend, it is not
possible to bring about institutional changes in the social and economics systems.
The Media
The second important element are the media. But the media too are wanting in this regard. Much of what is appearing in the newspaper and radio
programmes and on the television screens is simply incapable of developing personality and refining the animal brain.
They should resolve not to give publicity to any event or use language likely to excite and activate the animal brain. A great opportunity of radically
improving the situation will be created if media restraint is observed.
Religious Teachers
Religious teachers can play the most important role for achieving the above purpose. But even they are making no efforts in this direction. They are
busy ensuring their safety and survival, with the result that due attention is not being paid to matters concerning reform.
The situation can be changed and improved if they take the vow that good habits have to be formed in their children and their animal brain has to be
rendered ineffective.
Thus, as it seems, all the three agencies, education, the media and the religious teachers capable of transforming society are at the moment inactive.
Let us Aim at the Subtle
The solution of the problem will be difficult to find until we move from the gross to the subtle world.
Many new facts have been successfully discovered and many important inventions have been made. This would have been impossible had science confined
itself to gross world.
There was a time when religion also entered the subtle world.
In fact the very purpose of religion was to move from the gross to the subtle world. But in course of time, religion too strayed and got confined to
the gross world. It has got involved with what the eyes can see, what is sensually satisfying and physically pleasing and is stuck there unable to enter the subtle.
The Seed Of The Banyan Tree
The following incident is mentioned in one of the Upanishads. The sage Uddalaka said to his son Shvetaketu, 'Go
and bring a fruit from the Banyan tree growing in front of our place.' Shvetaketu did accordingly. Then the sage again asked,' What do you see inside it.' Shvetaketu answered, ’Nothing.’ Thereupon Uddalaka said,
'Whatever there is, is inside it. You used your gross sight. If you use your subtle sight, you will find that it contains a whole Banyan tree within it.'
We are eschewing the subtle which has the potential for bringing about transformation. We are avoiding the place where change is possible and are
aimlessly roaming in a place incapable of ushering in the change.
Law Versus Personal Resolution
Anuvrat philosophy has concentrated on the subtle. A resolution or vow is nothing but a firm spiritual resolve. It is not a law, for law and personal
resolution are different in nature.
Law results in obedience only within the scope of surveillance. Constant vigil is essential to enforce law and avoid it's breach. Hush money and bribes
are accepted away from public gaze, law does not come in the way. Law becomes an obstruction when there is someone to see.
On the other hand, a vow is practised with vigilance under the public gaze and with more vigilance when nobody watches.
One who takes the vow is spiritually alert and feels the moral responsibility of practising it all the more when no one watches. He becomes all the
more alert when he thinks that even if no one watches him, there is at least god to watch him.
In this connection, I would like to mention Seth Sumer Malji Dugad of Sardarshahar. He was a rich merchant and he had overflowing stocks of sugar when
the government clamped control over sugar. He preferred to have tea without sugar to tampering with stocks even though there was no one to watch. It is a fine example of upholding the sanctity of a vow.
The Concept Of Development
It should not be based on laws but on vows.
A vow touches our subtle intellectual awareness, whereas law touches its gross counterparts.
In fact, we have shown greater respect to laws than to vows. If both are respected, together they could transform the circumstances. However, for this
to happen, it is essential that we first change our concept of development.
At present what passes for development is also gross in character. Those countries and individuals are deemed developed who have unlimited consumer
articles, palatial houses, luxurious cars, radio and television sets. We do not regard a developed brain as a necessary component of development.
Everyone knows that corruption continues unabated despite material and economic prosperity. It is common knowledge how Presidents and Prime Ministers
have faced charges of corruption and how some of them have even lodged in prisons.
The Only Choice
It is natural to ask why all aberrations are taking place despite unprecedented intellectual development. The answer is that we have made every effort
to arouse its desirable layer.
It is in this context that Anuvrat's insistence on going from the gross to the subtle and from laws to vows and on developing the human layer of the
brain by incapacitating the animal layer, becomes synonymous with the birth of the new man.
Once the new man is born, a new society and a new era shall come into being.
It is not an easy task to accomplish, but I do not think there is any other way of accomplishing the goal. The dream of the Anuvrat movement can come
true and a new man take birth if we concentrate on subduing passions and incapacitating the animal brain through active efforts, education and training.
top
|
