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

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 ? Analyzing life’s experiences Should be a part of Education Intellectual appreciation Science : what is the nature of reality? Value Inculcation Mind control and purification

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 Quotes from A Einstein,Thomas Huxley, Robert Frost, W.B.Yeats

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

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

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 Bare observation experience of impermanence development of insight mind more impure

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 body-mind 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 pragya samadhi Purification of mind sila

VIPASSANA IN EDUCATION Self control of Impulses habit of non reactive observation permits -- look before you leap , mindfulness is like the brakes of a car reduction 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.. Proper self appraisal - knowledge of strengths and weaknesses increases compassion, forgiveness, humility and reduces vanity- improvement in interpersonal relationships Insight into the basic characteristics of life comprehending 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

Inculcation of values is the prime 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!