UHV UNIT- 2 : Self Exploration – Process for Value Education Dr. M.P.

Yadav, H&SS

Understanding Human Being as a Co-Existence of the Sentient ‘I’ and Material

‘Body’
Overview : Human Being-

Human being among all living creatures on this planet is regarded as the greatest creature of
God. It is because the virtue of the developed brain that has occupied the paramount position.
Human being a combined unit of body and soul and so it is natural that there must be a perfect
harmony between these two, to live a happy and peaceful life. As the great saint and preacher
Swami Vivekananda start his sermon by saying “know thyself”. So it is foremost need to
everyone to have a good conception of him so that he might take a rational view of life and his
surroundings.

How we bring Harmony within oneself-

In nature, as in life, we look to find a balance, a sense of harmony. For us harmony means a
coming together of two or more souls, opinions, thoughts or feelings- to blend together,
appreciate one another, to complement one another, to become more together in peace and
friendship. All of us here at harmony invite you to seek that balance with us so that together we
can more fully embrace all that life has to offer!

We make a garland everyday and this garland binds us with this earth, but without harmony
everything is useless. There have been a few tribulation and trying times in our life. Time, in
which we have been forced to deal with the harsh realities of life. They may seem trivial on a
much broader scale, but for us they are the turning points of our life that helped us to find our
inner well. That inner well helped us deal with the pain of lost loved ones and with things of this
world that we alone can’t change. To deal with the strains of taking on too much or too little
responsibilities and being distant from the one part of our truly love.

Sentient and Insentient-

Sentient life is life that is self-aware, having the capacity to view and see past and future, as
well as reaching in to levels which transcend these concepts in course of its development is an
entity with consciousness. Sentient life forms exhibit a capacity for increasing self
determination and self emancipation.

Insentient means devoid of sensation or consciousness. It is not self-aware. It exists as a result

of an inter dynamic system with the capacity to evolve, grow and become self-aware at
advanced stage.

Understanding the Need of Self (I) and Bodu-Sukh and Suvidha

Sukh means happiness in Hindi language which is opposite of “Dukh”

Suvidha means comfort in Hindi language which is opposite of Aa-Suvidha

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By nature man is fond of comfort and happiness so he goes on making desires and ambitions
one after the other to enjoy more in life. To lead a comfortable life he also accumulates many
facilities, so that his life may become full of comfort and happiness. Sukh depends upon our
thinking, so many times we are surrounded by materialistic possessions but we feel unsatisfied.
People think that their happiness depends upon Suvidha (Facilities) but is it not so; our
happiness depends upon our thinking or our mental satisfaction.

The modern man considers “Suvidha” as the main mission of life, and always try to extract
more and more money to satisfy his whim and give happiness to family. He is averse to
considering the negative impact of his demands on the society and the natural resources.
Everyone chases the word of such and suvidha constituting the whole gamut of enjoyments,
pleasures, comforts, and facilities. He live in a small circle centering on him. And the reality is
that he never gets satiated and he seldom feels happy.

One attains peace in whose mind all desires enter without creating any disturbance, as river
waters enter the full Ocean without creating a disturbance. One who desire material objects is
never peaceful.

Needs of Human Being-

There are five important needs of human being. These are-

1- Physiological Needs
2- Safety Needs
3- Self Actualization

Physiological Needs-

Physiological needs are essential to our survival as humans. Our body relies on
the fulfillment of these needs and if not met, our bodies can fail us, fully or
partially, either way, inflicting suffering and pain. To treat ourselves well, we
must first ens ure we have our physiological needs met. Our Physiological Needs
include: Breathing, Water, Food, Sleep, Clothing, Shelter, Sex

Safety Need-

Safety and security needs include -

Personal Security, Emotional Security, Financial Security, Health and Well-Being

Love and Belonging Needs-

Love and Belonging needs are up next after our physiology and our safety. We all
need to feel a sense of belonging and Love. Our childhood could have been the
first time in our lives where this was either established or was missing. Into

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adulthood, the neglect and loneliness that was developed over the years can
manifest into a created internal and external environment that lacks love and
belonging. Our Love and Belonging Needs include: Friendships, Intimacy, Family

Esteem Needs-

Esteem needs are related to the Ego. While we all know that it’s essentially vital
for our spiritual homeostasis to keep our ego in check, it is also important to
check where your ego is being affected as it doesn’t ever fully go away. Our
Esteem Needs include: Self-Esteem, Self-Respect

Self-Actualization Need-

Our final need is that of Self-Actualization. It is the most important in today’s

society and for each of you. However, please remember that the four above
mentioned needs should be met as well. Self-actualization is our ability to reach
our full potential as a spiritual and human being. Self-transcendence refers to our
ability to meet a higher goal outside of ourselves in an altruistic and spiritual
way.

Sanyam (Self Control)-

Sanyam represents self control. Gaining full control over the senses is the key in
the value system. No amount of scholarship will be considered greater than the
one who has conquered his senses. The senses are always unruly and
moralcourage is required to channelize them on the path of righteousness. Self
control is is the ability to control one’s emoti ons, behavior and desires in order
to efficiently manage one’s future. In psychology it is sometimes called self -
regulation. Exerting self -control through the executive functions in decision
making is thought to deplete a resource in the ego. Self -control role is to
emphasis on students success. Renunciation of comfort, pleasures and luxuries in
the students days and concentrating on knowledge acquisition would enable the
students to scale greater heights, because if they enjoy in their students life so
they never achieve what the wants to be. To control and wait for the best
movement is the real definition of self control.

Yoga and Sense Control-

In Sanskrit, the term ‘yoga’ stands for ‘Union’. A yogis ultimate aim is to be able
to attain the ‘union’ with the eternal ‘Self’ with the help of certain mental and
physical exercises. For all extant knowledge of yoga and its practices, such as
yogasanas and pranayama, the entire credit goes to Maharishi Patanjali.

Patanjali systemize the various yogic p ractices and traditions of this times by
encapsulating them in the form of aphorisms in his Yoga Sutra. In this momentous

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work, he describes the aim of yoga as knowledge of the self and outlines the
eight steps or methods of achieving it. These are -

1- Yamas or eternal vows

2- Niyamas or observances
3- Yogasanas or yoga postures
4- Pranayama or breath control exercises
5- Pratyahara or withdrawal of the senses from distractions of the outside
world
6- Dharma or concentration on an object, place or subject
7- Dhyana or continuance of this concentration-meditation
8- Samadhi or the ultimate stage of yoga meditation.

Yoga is a way of life. It is predominantly concerned with maintaining a state of

equanimity at all costs. Yoga Darshan or yoga philosophy also happens to be a
valid discipline of Indian metaphysics. It is a result of human wisdom and insight
on physiology, ethics and spirituality collected together and practiced over
thousands of years for the well being of humanity.

The basic idea of yoga is to unite the atma or individu al Soul with the
paramatma or the Universal Soul. The aim of the yogi is to be able to perceive the
world in its true light and to accept that truth in its entirety. Just a broken pot
can not be used to water the field; a person without sense control canno t achieve
anything great in life. It is known fact that life is what you think it should be. So,
for a positive life and thought improvement, it is imperative that you start to
control over senses, yoga and thinking in a positive manner.

Kapalbhati-

Breathing is life. The ancient yogis in India knew the intimate connection
between breath and mind. For example, when your mind is angry, watch your
breathing. It will be disturbed. And similarly, if you hold your breath for long,
your mind will get agitated. By controlling the breath, they were indirectly able
to influence the mind. Breathing is an automatic process controlled by the
autonomic nervous system. We do not have any conscious control over it. The
science of bio-energy including the breathing moveme nt is the pract ical yoga par
excellence. In the Bhagavad Geeta, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that one
should practice yoga to purify himself.

Swasthya-

Swasthya refer to welfare. Health is the real wealth which includes physical as
well as mental well being. Physical health care is important because only with a
healthy body you can attempt to your dreams, aspirations and vision. For
achieving the four-fold pursuit of righteousness (dharma), wealth (artha), desire
(kama) and moksha (liberatin, health is vital).

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Understanding the Body as an Instrument of Self (I)
Self (atman) -“Atman(vkRek) is Brahman(czºe)”

Atman is a Sanskrit word, defined in simple terms as an individual’s inner self, spirit or soul. The
concept of Atman as the true self is considered to be the first principle of Hindu philosophy,
particularly according to the Vedanta tradition.
Dualistic schools such as Dvaita Vedanta believe that Atman is distinct from Brahman
(universal principle), whereas non-dualistic schools such as Advaita Vedanta teach that Atman
and Brahman are one and the same, contained within one another. In such traditions, liberation
from suffering can only be attained when an individual realizes that Atman and Brahman are
identical.
Atman is regarded as eternal and imperishable, distinct from the physical body, mind and
consciousness. It is believed to be found within every living being, though some individuals do
not recognize this true self due to ignorance or illusion, known as Maya.
Practices such as yoga and meditation can help to increase Atma Jnana, a form of self-
awareness or self-knowledge that lifts the veil of ignorance and relieves practitioners of
suffering.
Self-realization-

Self-realization is the truth of who we are, what we are — the realization that we are not the
physical body, the physical form that we believe ourselves to be, but the energy within that
physical form that gives us life. Most of us are unable to realize this because of the illusionary
world we live in, because of our mind which makes us believe that we are the ego, and because
of the senses that make us crave for sensual pleasures. Our mind limits us. It restricts
our spiritual awareness. It is unable to focus and contemplate on the energy that lies beyond this
physical form. For reasons unknown to us, we are ignorant of the truth. For instance, when we
look at jewels in a jewelry shop, we see rings, bangles, chains, and we admire the jewelry. They
seem to be rings, chains or bracelets but in reality, they are not, they are just gold. Gold appears
as the ring, as the bangle and as the chain. But if you remove the gold, there is no jewelry.
Realization that it is gold brings us to the truth that the jewelry is only an effect of the cause
‘gold’.

Cause of Suffering-

Experiencing oneself (jiva-soul) as body mind complex because of the ahamkar (ego sense)- “I” is
the real cause of suffering. Separated from the source of real self “I”, such a soul experiences
three mistaken notions- “I am the doer- Aham Karta”, “I am the enjoyer- Aham Bhokta”, “I am
the knower- Aham Jnata (Kkrk)”. Due to this mistaken notion, there is suffering. The Karta- Doer
suffers from effect of Karmaphal (deZQy), the bhokta- enjoyer suffers from emotional
disturbances, the jnata (Kktk)- knower suffers from the mistaken identity and illusion. The real

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cause of suffering is the mistaken notion of self and inability to distinguishing between what is
permanent and what is impermanent.

Understanding Need of Self and Need of Body-

Body is no use without Soul and Soul is of no use without Body, they are important to each
other. In addition to the body, we are also aware of the ‘alive-ness’ of the person-the entity that
keeps the body ‘alive’ and makes it operate in various ways. In what manner we perceive this
‘aliveness’ off-course in the activities demonstrated by the person like their seeing, talking,
listening, walking, eating etc. On the other hand, when we deeply examine the ‘alive-ness’, we
sense the subtler activities of the person-the person’s feelings, thinking, believing etc. It is
impossible to imagine a human being without ‘jivna’.

Thus a human being is co-existence of the body and ‘Jivana’. Jivana refers to itself as ‘I’ (self).
How we recognize ‘I’, when we say-

i- I am tired
ii- I am happy only when I visit there.
iii- I want this thing.
iv- I want rest.
v- I am h

Need of ‘I’(self) -

i- Trust, respect
ii- Happiness (Sukh)
iii- With time needs are -continuous
iv- Needs are-No quantity

Needs of Body-

i- Food, clothing
ii- Physical facilities
iii- Temporary
iv- Limited in quantity

Understanding the Characteristics and Activities of ‘I” and Harmony in

‘I’
Benefits of Self Discipline-

Self discipline is not a servere and limited behavior or a restrictive lifestyle. It is very useful
inner power, which enables one to preserve and not give up, in spite of failure and setback. It

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grants its possessor self-control and the ability to resist temptation and distractions that tend
to stand in the way of attaining aims and goals. In fact, it is a one of the most important pillars
of re and stable success. Lack of self discipline may lead to failure to reach goals, even minor
ones and to loss, health and relationship problems, obesity and other troubles. Life often
presents challenges and problems on the parts to success and achievement. To rise above
them, one needs to display perseverance, persistence and self discipline. To cure and overcome
eating disorders, addictions, smoking, drinking, obsessions and other negative habits one also
requires self discipline.

Activities that take place in the self ‘I’ and Body-

i- Activities in self-
Thinking, Speaking, Desiring, Imagining, understanding, Believing, Feeling, Dreaming
and Analyzing.
ii- Activities in Body (but only with consent of ‘I’)-
Digesting, Heart-Beat, Nourishment, Blood Flow, Breathing.
iii- Activities involving both the self ‘I’ and the Body-
Walking, Eating, Talking, Seeing, Listening.

We can say that the self ‘I’ is a conscious entity, the body is a material entity or physio-
chemical in nature. In this way human being is thus a co- existence of a conscious self ‘I’ and the
material body.

Samaya Sanyam-

As there is a proverb “Time and tide wait for non”. It hints at the proper management and
working a some idea or project at right time. There is always a suitable time for the functioning
and execution of every work when it is done at the right time the probability of the success of
the work is almost certain. On the contrary even if some wrong hour, it gets failed. This implies
that meditation contemplation and reflection of effective utilization of time should be given
more importance. So in this way samaya sanyam represents proper time management.

Understanding Human Being-

Human being among all living creatures in this planet is regarded as the greatest creature of
god. It is because of the virtue of developed brain that he has occupied that paramount
position. Human being a combined unit of body and soul and so it is natural that there must be
perfect harmony between these two, to live a happy and peaceful life. As the great saint and
preacher Swami Viveka Nand starts his sermon by saying “know thyself”, so it is foremost need
to every one to have a good conception of him so that he might take a rational view of life and
his surroundings.

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Seer, doer and Enjoyer-

The self is doer- It is Karta (act)

The self is seer- It is the Sakshi (witness)

Seer is the self (I). Seen in the word (Prakriti- Nature). Seer is full of a bliss, awareness. Seer is
self luminous (self aware). Seer is truth. Seer i8s Sakshi- witness.

The self is the enjoyer. The self is the Bhokta (acceptance,enjoyer).

The self represents all the three aspects as above in the form of consciousness. Based on the
scriptures, if an action is done with resolve that “Iam the doer” then it binds that person and
attachment of an object is the starting point of suffering.

I am the seer, doer and enjoyer and body is an instrument. We all wans to live. I want to live. I
am the one that that wants to live ( that is why ‘I’ is called jivan). The body is my instruments. I
am the one who takes decisions and the body acts accordingly.

Let’s take an example. When eating, we can see that it involves both, you as well as your
body. You decide to eat and pass on the information to body. Thus the food is picked, chewed
and then swallowed. So we can say that it is the self (i) that chooses to eat and makes a choice
of what to eat and how much to eat.

I am the seer, when we are watching a scenery or when we are thinking or contemplating, we
are engaged in the activities of ‘seeing’ or understanding.

- I am the seer, doer and enjoyer. Body is an instrument.

- I am the seer I am one that sees and understands. I some times use the body as an aid
to see. ‘Seeing’ here means ‘understanding’. Seer is also called ‘Drashta’.
- I am the Doer. I am the one that decides for doing things. Decisions, Choices are
Continuously being made in me. Sometimes, I may express these decisions via the body.
Doer is also called ‘Karta’.
- I am the enjoyer of all that is done. Enjoyer is also called ‘Bhokta’.