Understanding Happiness and Prosperity PDF

ASPIRATIONS AND THEIR FULFILMENT AND UNDERSTANDING HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY CHAPTER-3 CHAPTER-4 What is Meant by basic aspirations? There is a chain of thoughts and actions. When we achieve one, we tend to move on to something else. Out of th...

ASPIRATIONS AND THEIR FULFILMENT AND UNDERSTANDING HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY CHAPTER-3 CHAPTER-4 What is Meant by basic aspirations? There is a chain of thoughts and actions. When we achieve one, we tend to move on to something else. Out of these which is our basic aspiration? What will make us fulfilled? Is there an end state that we want to reach and then we want the continuity of that state? That end state is our basic aspiration. What are the basic human aspiration? You want happiness You want prosperity You want the continuity of both Meaning of Happiness? Meaning of Happiness The state or situation,in which I live,if there is harmony/synergy in it,it is naturally acceptable to me in that state /situation. “to be in a state which is naturally acceptable is happiness”. i.e. Happiness = Harmony Meaning of unhappiness The state or situation, in which I live, if there is disharmony/contradiction in it,it is not naturally acceptable to me to be in that state/situation. “to be forced to be in a state which is not naturally acceptable is unhappiness. i.e.unhappiness=disharmony Meaning of prosperity Prosperity is the feeling of having more than required physical facility. There are two basic requirements: 1)Right assessment of the need for physical facility,along with its required quantity. 2)Ensuring the availability /production of more than required facility. Desire,Basic Aspiration State of being , what we ar we want to be happy Are we Happy? we want to be Are we prosperous? Prosperous we want the continuity Is there continuity of happiness Of happiness and prosperity And prosperity? Why this gap ? -between our desire and our state of being BECAUSE OUR EFFORT IS FOR: Just for accumulation of physical facility When we reflect on all the efforts we are making,we can easily see that we are generally working for accumulation of physical facility! We are expecting happiness and prosperity, but the effort is for physical things. Sometimes we think happiness and prosperity will automatically come when you have enough physical facility. We putting most of our effort for physical facility(watching tv,eating,working,developing skills). If continuity of happiness and prosperity is not achieved by just accumulating physical facility what else is essential to do? Let us try to find out by asking this question to ourselves: Is the unhappiness in my family More due to lack of physical facility or More due to lack of fulfilment in relationship?  The problems are more due to lack of fulfilment in relationship. Our major part of our time and effort for physical facility. This is certainly not the right kind of investment. With all discussion,the conclusion that we want to draw out of this is a very simple one: For human being physical facility is necessary,but relationship is also necessary. Physical facility is necessary for animals also For animals,physical facility is necessary as well as adequate. For eg-when a cow gets a stomach full of grass,it became comfortable,sits and chews the cud.with enough grass to fill the stomach,the cow is comfortable.But,what about a human being? For human being,physical facility is necessary but physical facility alone is not adequate. When it comes to human being lack of facility makes him/her uncomfortable,but availability of physical facility alone does not ensure the feeling of happiness and prosperity. Basic requirement for fulfilment of human aspiration Right Understanding:-This refers to our skills – the need to learn and utilize our intelligence effectively. Good Relationships:-This refers to the interpersonal relationships that a person builds at home, at the workplace and in society. Physical Facilities:-This includes the physical needs of individuals and indicates the necessities as well as the comforts of life. Priority-Right understanding , Relationship and physical facility All three of them are required. Right understanding in self is a priority because only with that we can ensure fulfilment in relationship; and make out how much physical facility is required. As we discussed,the problems in family are more due tolack of fulfilment in relationship rather than physical facility. So,relationship is more important than physical facility. DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS A Human being working for all three(right understanding,relationship and physical facility)of them can be fulfilled.Therefore,a human being living with all three is living with ‘human consciousnesses’. Animals living with They are in harmony This is fine animal consciousness Human being living with They are in harmony This is fine human consciousness Human being living with They are in disharmony This is the problem animal consciousness Holistic development Transformation from animal consciousness to human consciousness. With right understanding, we can clearly envisage holistic development as the transformation from animal consciousness to human consciousness. It is necessary to working all three-right understanding, fulfilment in relationship as well as physical facility; and in that order of priority. Role of education-sanskar (enabling the transformation to human consciousness) We are providing inputs to the children in many ways. Starting from family,are providing inputs from day one. The formal education system are also proving inputs. The society is giving inputs through role models,through the media,etc. All these inputs put together is what we calling education- sanskar. Education is developing the right understanding Sanskar is the commitment ,preparation and practice of living with right understanding.it includes learning  Education-sanskar has pivtal role in the development Of human consciousness. It ensures right understanding in the self of every child,capacity to live in relationship with other human beings Capacity to identify the need for physical facility The skills and practice for sustainable production of more than what is required,leading to feeling of prosperity. It eventually prepare the child with competence to be in harmony within,to live with definite conduct. UNDERSTANDING HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY-Their continuity ad programme for fulfilment(Chapter-4) Meaning of happiness-already done Meaning of prosperity-already done Meaning of continuity of happiness CURRENT NOTIONS OF HAPPINESS 1) continuity of happiness is possible through consumption of physical facility and enjoyment of favourable sensation- it could be type of touch,sound,sight,taste or smell.  2)continuity of happiness from favourable feeling from others? When someone is expressing a right feeling,like respect,you like to receive that feeling-you feel happy. If other expressing feeling that are not acceptable for you- disrespect,you feel unhappy.  3)I will be bored of happiness if I am happy Ofcourse,one will be bored of the excitement arising Out of favourable sensation. If happiness is assumed to be excitement,we do get bored of it. Now,if we understand that happiness is to be harmony,we can evaluate this assumption to be false.  4)Don’t bother me with the vague things like happiness.I have live and deal with other more important things in my life it is simpler to ask yourself what yor are expecting to achieve out of the effort you are making-is it happiness or something else. Ofcourse,the clarity of happiness is essential.  5)My happiness depends on others.what can I do about it? If we can see that happiness is harmony,oi is our property,and does not depend on others. If we are expecting from others,it certainly can’t be guarnteed,nor can it be continuous  6)we don’t want happiness for ourselves,but we want to make other happy(while we may stay happy) Find out if you can give what you don’t have. If you don’t have harmony(happiness) within,can you give it to other? 7)happiness is a small thing.we want higher aspirations such as contentment,peace.etc True we do have higher aspiration.however ask yourself if you can get to contentment without harmony within? Methods/ programme for continuity of happiness