Study, to know yourself
INNER LIGHT: Lost in deep thought.-Photo:K.Ananthan.
What is happiness? What is the yardstick to measure it? How can it be achieved? Though these questions sound simple, it is not so easy to get an answer.
If happiness was the objective, all those who pursue their dream careers or those who acquire a house or vehicle of their own should have been happy. But this does not happen.
The reason, our needs keep changing as we are changing every moment. Happiness should come from within. But how many of us realize this?
In this modern, industrialised society with its 'high-speed', 'killer instinct culture', sophisticated living styles and ruthless competitions, everyone is a part of the rat race and it has become difficult to lead a simple, stress-free, healthy, happy and peaceful life.
This fast life style creates tremendous stress within and without, leading to utter frustration. Finally people become completely drained of all physical and mental energy, incapable of clear and right perception and therefore understanding.
We are all human beings first and then only managers, executives, scientists, businesspersons, doctors, teachers, engineers and so on.
It is in this perspective, a programme like self- awareness acquires importance. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Deemed University included a unique learning programme called Self-Awareness and Personal Growth (SAPG), in 1996, when they started their school of management, as part of its curriculum. Later this was made part of other courses like MCA and the recently started Journalism course.
The course on SAPG is essentially an experiential learning programme in which the primary emphasis is on the individual and his or her entire personality both the inner and the outer. It involves interactive sessions to create a congenial ambience in which both the teacher and the taught discuss a range of topics, without getting carried away by superficial explanations and verbal wrangling. The students are encouraged to begin a process of self-study and self-observation for eventual self-realisation. The course is meant to instil a firm foundation for holistic development and growth of the individuals in all spheres and dimensions of existence.
"In today's educational system, academically successful, inwardly withered, emotionally unstable weaklings are produced. It is designed in such a way that people apparently know about everything, except themselves. This creates a great void in their lives. It is high time we ask ourselves whether we are really growing- not physically, materially but inwardly,
psychologically? We remain unaware of the infinite possibilities of our own self. Without self-knowledge, one cannot discover the art of living," says Mr.C. S. Udhayakumar, Assistant Professor of Yoga, Self-Awareness and Personal Growth in Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Ettimadai, Coimbatore. He is also the founder director of Yogakshethram, Foundation for Yoga studies, Madras.
Objectives
"We started this programme to explore the possibilities of ways and means that would help the individual to bring out his or her hidden potentialities and creativity and pave the way for an integrated, harmonious and total human growth.
It also aims at developing a keen sense of observation and to make the students learn about themselves, initiating a process of self-inquiry, leading to self-awareness and the awakening of inward perception," he says.
The course focuses on the fact that until and unless you understand yourself, you can never understand another person. And if you understand yourself, you understand everything. "Many have a wrong conception, that knowing oneself is something related to religion or it is to be practiced after retirement. Without self-awareness education becomes mere information gathering.
This will burden your body, mind and intellect. In today's educational system, no transformation occurs, but mere information. Through this type of a system, self-fulfilment won't be achieved," says Mr. Udhayakumar. True education, which means drawing something from within, should enable people find their true self.
Mini K.
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Karnataka
Chennai
Coimbatore
Hyderabad
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
