The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : The aim of religion is to help keep the mind in control, says Heggade

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

The aim of religion is to help keep the mind in control, says Heggade

Special Correspondent

‘Rising expectations and excessive greed cause for mental illness in society’

‘Culture and religion two faces of the same coin’
‘Peace and happiness exist in a house replete with culture’

SHIMOGA: Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala D. Veerendra Heggade said here on Tuesday that it was the rising expectations and excessive greed that were the chief cause for mental illness.

Inaugurating the Graduation Day function for graduates and postgraduates of courses in mental health conducted by Manasa Educational Foundation For Mental Health (MEFFMH), a study and research centre recognised by Kuvempu University and IABMCP, Colorado, U.S., he said it was possible that mental illness could be overcome with the help of religious practices.

He said it was common to decry religious practices or traditions as superstition but it should be understood that their main intention was to keep the mind under control as they fostered “Sanskara” and “Samskruti” in a family.

He termed culture and religion as the two faces of the same coin. He said peace and happiness could be found in a house which was replete with culture.

Stating that religion played a key role in maintaining equilibrium between body, mind and sense organs, he said it had found mention in the Sastras too. He said religion was helpful in keeping the mind under check and also ensure better health.

Fatalistic approach

He, however, did not approve of the fatalistic approach adopted by those who suffered from mental illness attributing it to “Karma phala”.

He said that there was a possibility of bringing in improvement in the situation by pursuing a change in attitude.

He said though there had been a marked fall in cases of mental illness in middle class families in the last 40 years, there was a spurt in different kinds of mental disorders invariably caused by stress and strain relating to financial problems and strained relationships.

Society’s good

He said, “What mattered was not how much we earned but how wisely we utilised it for the good of society.”

Exhorting the new graduates and postgraduates to develop reputation and character, Mr. Heggade reminded them that it was not their degrees but their performance [as good citizens] in society that counted more.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University, J. Shashidhar Prasad, delivered the Graduation Day Oration.

Kuvempu University Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) J.S. Sadananda, Registrar R. Udayakumar and Director of Correspondence Courses S.A. Bari were the chief guests.

Director of MEFFMH and psychiatrist K.A. Ashok Pai presided over the function.

Earlier, academic director of MEFFMH Preethi Pai Shanbhag welcomed the gathering.

Rajendra Channi, in his remarks, said that 70 individuals received certificates.

Deputy Director of MEFFMH Rajani A. Pai was present.

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