Values and Direction

In this column’s preceding piece, we spoke about how history and Itihaas are two different mirrors. In the mirror of Ithaas, seeing the image of history in its entirety is possible but, in the mirror of history, seeing the full image of Itihaas is not possible. Though none can claim having explored the full potential of these aforesaid possibilities yet, wisdom lies in seeing our image in both the mirrors. So that we as earthbound humanity could inspire, instil, imbibe and sustain the best tendencies in our consciousness. Seeing ourselves in the mirror of history keeps us aware of its limitations, and seeing ourselves in the mirror of Itihaas keeps us awake in our limitlessness.

Now, the question is how to maximise the good tendency and how to undermine the bad tendencies in human consciousness? As both kinds of tendencies are always present, only the technology and the number of followers of one or the other kind of vision or tendencies vary from one moment to another.

Can something be done to maximise the number of human beings who would choose to imbibe only good tendencies?

Talking about values makes sense only when we become an enlightened society where conversations and contemplations are about making choices between good and good and not between good and bad.

Or, should something be done to human consciousness itself so that we as human beings choose to manifest only the divine aspect of it?

The answer is in the affirmative. But, it asks for character building. And, character building is a very subtle and rigorous process that has no alternative or shortcut. If humanity has to evolve to realise/explore its full potential, then character building has to be the beginning of education.

Higher education can serve its purpose only when persons with character receive it. It is only in the person of character that education can be utilised for universal welfare. You may have heard the sayings ‘Knowledge is power’ and ‘Power corrupts’. But, power cannot corrupt those persons whose characters are built on strong foundations. Therefore, character building is the most basic universal education that global humanity must ensure. In its absence, nectar transgresses into poison.

The answer is in the affirmative. But, it asks for character building. And, character building is a very subtle and rigorous process that has no alternative or shortcut. If humanity has to evolve to realise/explore its full potential, then character building has to be the beginning of education

The beauty of the character is such that we may miss the fragrance of a flowering tree nearby, but the beauty of a person of character never goes unnoticed. Such persons’ existence is fruitful for the world as the world looks at them as living examples of ‘living’. Such persons are spiritual (conscious) beings as a character is nothing but consciousness manifested in action. That’s how values are carried forward from one generation to another.

This is an axiomatic truth that without seeing the existence of divinity (immortality) within, one doesn’t become capable of seeing the same in others. But, how does this transformation happen?

There may be umpteen other questions like, when and where one begins to see? Who begins to see? Which is the order of seeing (If there is any), i.e. whether one sees it in the other or in oneself first? Does the meaning of seeing also change in various levels of consciousness? What causes it? Why don’t we all see it? All the questions which sprout in the seekers mind must find a solution. Then alone, seekers may be said to have got liberated.

And, if they confess that it’s not in this life that they will be liberated, when will they ever know the real value of this life? Because one can see the real value of life when one is free from all colours of life.

Being free from all colours of life means having no undue attachment with anything that is part of material life (existence). Being detached doesn’t mean being antagonistic, scornful towards materials of life as that is neither desirable nor possible during our existence as human beings (material beings). Will they ever know how to live as real (or realised) beings?

And, the ones who don’t know the real value of this life should they be allowed/encouraged to offer direction for the goals of life to others in the name of freedom of expression or even religion?