Peace, Harmony and Harmonious Education

Published: 25.07.2016
Updated: 30.07.2016

Harmonious Education for Peace and Harmony

We are living in extremely explosive times when the context of human life is changing every moment. Our society is crumbling; the waves of destruction are so strong that they are breaking up the moral fabric of our life. The world is facing many a challenge like pollution of air, water and soil. Natural resources are fast depleting. Population growth-rate is outstripping resources worldwide. There is an uneven distribution of sources of livelihood. Multinational corporations are putting undue pressure on governments and twisting their policies. Nuclear weapons pose an imminent threat to the survival of mankind. Confrontationist policies and use of military power to resolve economic and political interests are on the rise. Genocide, racism, fundamentalism and terrorism have wrought havoc worldwide. Issues relating to personal life like rising divorce rate, depression, stress and lifestyle diseases etc., are causing an unbearable tension in the society. Therefore, a holistic approach is needed to grapple with the current unhealthy syndrome. The ecological crisis, population explosion with increasing poverty, hunger & violence, economically imbalanced world, and arms race are all pulling us away from the real purpose of our life. Instead they are challenging us to think how to reverse this man-made destructive path or face our own extinction. The crisis of humanity is not a political crisis, it is not an economic crisis, and it is not a military crisis – yet we continue to find only political and military solutions. The crisis in fact is an educational crisis, which can only be resolved by peace & harmony and human values education, i.e., Harmonious Education.[1]

One way to build world peace is on the solid foundation of co-existential harmony.[2] To accomplish this goal, it is important that process of globalization of education and the reorientation of education come together to accomplish a common goal for harmonious and peaceful civilization. This can be achieved if we gain a better understanding of the reality of the existential and natural order/s, and the interrelationship between the various systems of ecological, environmental as well as social, economic and legal. To reorient the education and include the peace & harmony and human values based educational content (teachings & trainings) we may change the scenario on earth.

"Peace and harmony have been the universal and eternal human aspirations. In fact, all material or physical development is also finally targeted to enable all human beings to live in peace and harmony with certain values - adequately fulfilling their physical needs and inculcating skills, values and attitudes which are conducive to live in peace & harmony at the individual level, live in peace and harmony with other human beings and finally, be in harmonious co-existence with rest of nature. In the final analysis, all developmental goals must cater to this universal aspiration only.

Research studies, right from the earliest literature down to recent times are focused on the essential cosmic harmony - interrelatedness and interdependence of all planets, all units and all beings. There is divine unity in the phenomenal harmonious diversity. There is continuity in the process of evolution in the four stages of the natural orders - material order, respiratory order, animal order and knowledge/human order. Every unit in the Nature is coherent from within and correlated to the cosmic order from without. All existing living and non-living objects are self-controlled and inherently balanced by the Laws of Nature.[3]

To study the harmonious orders, the earth planet is an important part of the whole cosmos. It is essentially governed by the laws of nature and it functions in a harmonious manner. It serves as the most important natural source to the survival of a number of material bodies. On the Earth planet, there are billions of objects, comprising human beings, flora and fauna, the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geo-sphere, which are interdependent and interrelated in a harmonious existential order. This order has its own intrinsic laws, which regulate its functioning, articulating physical, chemical, biological and ecological aspects as well as human activities.

In order to live in harmony with nature, human beings must recognize and respect its intrinsic laws and its vital cycles. In such a system, all the objects, being and non-beings have to live within their limits as determined by the laws of nature. The deviants of the laws of nature are bound to impinge upon the rights of others and disturb the system of eternal harmony. Therefore, it is irrational and immoral to recognize any kind of extraordinary privileges for human beings at the cost of several other components/units/lives of the Earth planet. Human beings have to understand their essential obligation and function in coherence with the larger context of existence. The human existence has to function and sustain itself within this system. Accordingly, we need to create political, economic, religious and educational institutions in consonance with the spirit of the laws of existential harmony.

MICROCOSMIC AND MACROCOSMIC HARMONY

To understand the harmonious nature of the existence it is said that Microcosm means Mankind viewed as the epitome of whole Universe and Macrocosm is the Cosmos which is the whole complex structure of the Universe. Charaka, says "Purushyo'yam loka sannidah"[4] (Man is a miniature universe) and Yajurveda says "Yatha pinde tatha brahmande, yatha brahmande tatha pinde"[5] (As is the individual, so is the universe, as is the universe, so is the individual" or "As is the atom, so is the Universe" or "As is the human body, so is the cosmic body). It means the governing eternal laws are cause of internal codes, evolutionary processes, motions, and all natural phenomena which create the harmony relation and coexistence between Microcosms to Macrocosm. Sankhya Darshana[6] describe the human body as a mini universe and whatever elements or entities exist in the universe they exist in the human body also i.e, five fundamental elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth) of the universe. The human body cannot exist or cannot be properly identified without appropriate combination of the above. Every entity is constituted and coexists in harmonious relationship of all the fundamental elements, which create the bodies with eternal order (plants, animal/bio-bodies, human bodies). Even in natural process these bodies and its components exist in harmonious relationship with each other.

The basic premise of Ayurveda is that the entire cosmos (or universe) is part of one singular absolute. Therefore, everything that exists in the external universe (macrocosm) also appears in the internal cosmos of the human body (microcosm). The human body, when healthy, is in harmony, self-perpetuating and self-correcting just as the universe.[7] It means that harmony, coexistence, microcosm, macrocosms, eternal order, Oneness etc. are not new terms for Indian philosophy and literature. If we compare perceptions & views of ancient Indian Vedic wisdom with modern science, metaphysics and recent trends on consciousness studies, we will find a definite holistic view of harmony and coexistence.     

EXISTENCE IS COEXISTENCE

Philosopher and propounder of Madhyastha-Darshan Sah-astitva-vad (existence-rooted human-centric studies) A. Nagraj (2003) elucidates the existential order (Existence as coexistence) as an alternative to instability-uncertainty based matter centric Materialism / Science and mystics Idealism.  He says 'Existence is in the form of coexistence'[8] & [[9]] as units (anant prakuti) submerged in absolute (zero) energy/space/consciousness (Satta).  "Energy is with distinction of absolute and relative. It is recognized and understood in the form of absolute-energy (zero-energy) and relative-energy. Work-energy is relative (among units of Nature) and absolute-energy is eternal-present as omnipresence (pervasive Spirit)."[10] He further says "Consciousness (absolute energy) is Omnipresence.  Consciousness is permeating and transparent and it is a non-activity (devoid of pulse or pressure).  Consciousness does not prove to be a unit due to its being all pervasive (endless/boundary-less).  Consciousness does not prove to be the root-cause of cosmic-order.  Coexistence (units submerged in absolute energy) alone is the root-cause of cosmic-order (existential harmony)."[11]

Existence is not just material (physical-chemical matter) – but all physical-chemical-entities and conscious-entities are inseparably and eternally actively-present in all-pervasive space. Existence is stable. There is no increase or decrease in existence. Existence has definitiveness for progress and awakening. All principles in existence are natural. There is harmony, orderliness in existence. Each unit is organized within itself and participates harmoniously with the overall orderliness. Existence is limitless, eternal. There is no 'limit' to Existence. Wherever Existence is deemed to be 'upto', there is always space 'after' that. There is no 'cause' for Existence, Existence is eternally-present as Coexistence. No cause for matter or space is evidenced. Existence has always been 'this way', and will always be 'this way': as units saturated in space.[12]

Since long time, Human-beings have been remained unaware about the source of energy required for continuous activity of atoms and its particles; philosophy of coexistence explains that absolute-energy (zero energy) is everywhere known as 'all pervasive energy'.  It is found everywhere homogeneously.  There is no activity which is devoid (rikt) of and without (mukt) Omnipresence Space/Consciousness. Space itself is absolute-energy, Space itself is Omnipotence."[13] (Nagraj 2012)  "The state (reality) of non-activity is known as Space, and knowledge while not doing any activity or while not being an activity is the basis and source-of-inspiration/source of entire activities.  Therefore knowledge (Gyan) and Space/absolute energy prove to be one and the same – and it is only from being situated in it, inspiration for activity always remains available.  There is no unit which is devoid of or liberated from this zero energy."[14] Because of the presence this absolute energy each unit is self-organized within itself (niyam, niyantran, santulan sahit nishchit aacharan ke sath) and fulfils its harmonious relationship with all other units/orders. Vedas say that "Everything is essentially consciousness, purity and joy."[15] And, "the Universal Laws are laws of truth,[16] truth is knowledge (Gyan).

HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP AMONG FOUR ORDERS

The Human centric philosophy 'Madhayastha Darshan Sahastitvavad'[[17]] elucidates Coexistence, i.e. existential/ natural order among material-mineral order (padarthavastha), plants order (pranavastha) & animal order (jivavastha). The relationships among the material-mineral order, cells/plants order and animal orders are mutually fulfilling and mutually enriching and this process is cyclic (avartansheel) in nature as shown diagram-I. Right understanding between Human being (gyanavastha) and Nature will be necessary to fulfill the relationship with all these orders. Ultimate desire of human being is also to live in the harmony with rest of the nature/cosmos/existence.

It means that no one has to create the harmony; it is already available, it exists in the form of co-existential harmony with mutual fulfillment. One only needs to understand existence and align oneself with it. By the understanding these internal activities/ phenomenon and processes of manifestation in nature, human being can survive & flourish easily. All the three orders i.e. (material-minerals, plants, animal orders) are fulfilling their relationship with human being. Subsequently Human being must organize their life style to fulfill other three orders so that civilization can move towards this path. Harmony in the individual and harmony in human-human relationships (from family to world family) is only possible by understanding the relationship between humans and the rest of Nature/Cosmos.

The Earth planet is an important part of the whole cosmos. It is essentially governed by the Laws of Nature and its functions in a harmonious manner. It serves as the most important natural resource for the survival of a number of material bodies. On the planet earth, there are billions of objects, comprising human being, flora and fauna, the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geo-sphere, which are interdependent, interconnected and interrelated in a harmonious existential order. This Order has its own intrinsic laws, which regulate its functioning, articulating physical, chemical, biological, and ecological aspects, as well as human activities. In order to live in harmony with Nature, human being must recognize and respect its intrinsic laws and its vital cycles. In such a System, all the objects, being and non-being must live within their limits as determined by the Laws of Nature.  Digress 

Anybody who digresses with the Laws of Nature is bound to impinge upon the rights of others and consequently disturb the system harmony. Therefore, it is irrational and immoral to recognize any kind of extraordinary privileges for human being at the cost of several other bodies/units of the Earth planet. Human beings have to understand their essential obligations and functions in coherence with the larger interest of existence. The human existence has to function and sustain itself within this System. Accordingly, we need to create political, economic, and educational institutions in consonance with the spirit of the laws of existential harmony.

We can conclude here that (Universal) Existential Harmony [D1] is the supreme potential of all natural balance & control. The purpose of activities of nature is to attain harmony. If one throws a stone into a pond it would disturb the harmony of the pond by creating ripples but after some time ripples flow out and back until harmony is restored, it is the same in natural patterns. This means disharmonious/conflicting action/activities in nature are temporary and this existential harmony is perpetual and perennial as shown in the diagram II.     

NATURAL PATTERS INDICATE INHERENT HARMONY

In modern scientific studies of the Patterns in nature, (visible regularities of form) are found in the natural world this supports the logic of perpetual and perennial Existential Harmony. These patterns recur in different contexts and can sometimes are modeled mathematically. Natural patterns include symmetries, trees, spirals, meanders, waves, foams, arrays, cracks and stripes.[18] Early Greek philosophers Plato, Pythagoras and Empedocles studied pattern; attempting to explain order in nature. The modern understanding of visible patterns developed gradually over time. "The long-sought "grand theory of everything" must begin where there is no beginning and end where there is no ending: patterns which repeat themselves in nature and which give rise to infinite symmetry. Similar patterns are repeated from the micro-atomic/quantum to the macro-atomic/galaxy, from snail shells to spiral galaxies. There is no reason to suspect these patterns end with individual galaxies. Thus, do not stop with individual Galaxies, but characterising, collectively, all Galaxies, and the Cosmos. Patterns repeat and this is the key for understanding the ultimate nature of the universe."[19]

We can conclude that this order and harmony transit/percolates/ penetrates and innately presences from microcosm to macrocosm, as show in diagram II. Donald L. Hamilton, in his work 'The Nature of Universal Space' explains that "The 'Laws of Nature' contain all the physical laws in the universe. They are inseparable and invariant - all intertwined and working in perfect harmony. Each law has its specific duties. They create and guide the matter and energy of the universe."[20] He further says the "Laws of Nature" are the Foundation of the Universe, without these "Laws" the Universe would not exist. John Adam (his book Mathematics in nature, 2002) is an enthusiastic and clear writer, and manages to explain "symbiosis that exists between the basic scientific principles involved in natural phenomena and their mathematical description". He presents the various phenomena at different levels of description, from the fundamental power of estimation or the effects of scale, to more sophisticated concepts, such as the connection between the Fibonacci sequence and the branching patterns of trees. It means that nature has its own mathematics and harmonious rhythms. 

 All tradition of wisdom speaks of the existence of such universal laws. At first sight, each wisdom tradition seems to describe the details of these underlying ordering patterns in a different way. This is not surprising when we realize that every attempt to describe something so vast and all-encompassing will always be different to some degree and in a sense incomplete. Moreover, the different universal laws do not operate in isolation from each other, but simultaneously and intertwined, like parts of a gigantic dynamic network. Consequently, it is effectively not possible to totally separate one from the other and every attempt to describe this dynamics as a whole, in the form of the operation of a number of universal principles, will be done from each individual perspective or orientation. We may compare the differences in the descriptions of these patterns with the attempts of the blind people to describe the elephant in the Sufi story.[21]

HARMONY PREVALENT UNIVERSALLY 

In another way, Vedic literature explained the existential harmony as Rta (Sanskrit: ऋतं, rtam "that which is properly joined; order, rule; truth"), which is the principle of natural order which regulates and coordinates the operation of the universe and everything within it.[22] And, some others may defines it as "the order behind the manifest world, the harmony among all aspects of manifestation each of which obeys its own level. Thus rta is also translated as order, harmony and law in various contexts. Unlike man-made laws rta is natural. Rta is in the nature of things (eternal drama). This is the truth behind the order and harmony in the universe. Man being an aspect and expression of this order has within him a reflection thereof."[23] Vedas also declare that nothing was ever created, but everything is only manifested. Science agrees partly with this view that matter cannot be created or destroyed. But scientist now believing in the existence of harmonious order in the atom and cosmos means microcosm to macrocosm, which is interconnected by universal/existential laws. This is the only cause of harmony, symmetry, patterns and definite genetic code.  (Diagram-II)   

Shri Jnaneshwar explains co-existential harmony in Jnaneshvari, which is like the Bhagavad Gita, a superb philosophical poem, "though Eshwar or Brahman is the sole foundation of the universe yet Eshwar or the Brahman and Shristhi or the universe do two parallel things simultaneously and independently coexist. [24] & [[25]] Bhagavad Gita explain this "Know that prakriti and purusha are both beginningless, and know also that the modifications and the gunas arise from prakriti" (13:19). We can say Brahman and Prakriti, another way this should be explain the coexistence of consciousness/spirit (purusha) and Creation (kriyasheel prakriti).

Hazrat Inayat Khan (1923) explains this harmonious relation as "the existence of land and water, the land for the water, and the water for the land; the attraction between the heavens and the earth, all demonstrate the universal harmony. The attraction of the sun and moon to each other, the cosmic order of the stars and the planets, all connected and related with each other, moving and working under a certain law (universal harmony)."[26] If the material content of the universe is supposed to be sustained by the energy of light from stars and gravitational forces between the planets, the material content of the human body is supposed to be sustained primarily by the energy of 'life' (Pran) and vibration forces of heart and brain. We are told that in the Macrocosm, energy can be converted into matter and vice versa. So also in the Microcosm we see that a thought process generates neuro-peptides, some sort of chemical substances for various types of body reactions."[27] (Sekhar, 2003)

Philosophy of Ayurveda indicates "Human life is seen as a note in the cosmic harmony. The individual, who is a 'one-off', a once-only, unrepeatable event, exists as a microcosm in the macrocosm of being. The two systems, human and cosmic, are linked permanently, since both are built from the same basic elements. All the elements contained in the macrocosm are also present in the microcosm. The five human senses correspond to the five fundamental elements out of which everything that exist is constructed."[28] This also defines the importance of balance and order in most of the its concepts and theories, even Sushurt Samhita defines of health that it is in a balance when all three doshas (bioenergy) and agni (metabolic process) are in balance, and excretions are in proper order. When atman (soul), senses, manah (intellect) are in harmony with internal peace, then the svastha (optimal health) is achieved. (Sam dosha, samagni, samdhatu malakriyah, Prasannatma, indriyas manah swath abhidayate. - Sushruta stru 24/41-- Adopted by the World Health Organization)[D2]which also support the reality of prevalent harmony, innate Balance, interconnectivity and coexistence of microcosm to macrocosm.

Ancient Greek philosophers describe human being and their place in the universe. They viewed the individual human being as a little world (mikros kosmos) whose composition and structure correspond to that of the universe, or great world (makros kosmos, or megas kosmos). Greek word 'Kosmos' meant "order" in a general sense and implied a harmonious, and therefore beautiful, arrangement of parts in any organic system; hence it also referred to order in human societies, reflected in good government. Comparisons between society and the human being, as well as society and the universe, were varieties of microcosmic theory. These analogies enjoyed a long life, first in the Mediterranean region during antiquity and later throughout Europe during the middle Ages. The ideas were commonplace during the Renaissance and early modern times but lost their plausibility when a mechanistic model of the universe became dominant in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.[29] (Bernardus Silvestris, 1973)

Thus, we can say that Ancient mystical, esoteric and secret teachings from Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Indian Vedic tradition, Chinese Tao & Buddhism and Japanese esoteric teachings found and tried to explain the perfect harmony in the Universe and nature. There is almost common understanding between all these faiths regarding Harmony. 

The concept that everything that exists is connected with everything else in accordance with the Law of Oneness[D3] encountered in Science as the concept of quantum Entanglement[D4] and was first revealed in sub-atomic particles at quantum level.[30] Harmonious coexistence is the source of manifestation (evolution), the cause of its existence, eternal harmony is the harmony of coexistence. Consciousness itself eternal, all things and beings live and move in it; yet it remains stable, undisturbed and totally peaceful.

Recent perceptions of some of the scientific researchers suggest that the whole universe in fact appears to be an intrinsically and instantaneously interconnected whole [D5], in which everything (large and small) and everyone is interconnected via the zero-point energy field.[D6] Most recent perceptions in this context by Nicola Tesla, David Bohm and Harold Puthoff have come to the following conclusion: "Interactions in the domains of nature as well as of consciousness operate via a fundamental field that retains energy and information and forms the heart of the universe."[31] "What physics calls the vacuum or void is actually filled with incomprehensibly complex dynamic networks of highly organized - and organizing - fields of force. Though physicists do not understand the origin and organization of these invisible force fields, they are convinced that they definitely exist and play a regulating or guiding role in all physical systems."(Gary E. Schwartz 2006)[32] 

EVERYTHING IS INTERCONNECTED WHOLE

Marja de Vries while explaining Underlying organizing principles in book 'The Whole Elephant' (2007) (Chapter 2 - What is the essence of Universal Truth) that "Everything is revealed as a vast interconnected whole, permeated by the same patterns. This marvellous order in the universe is illustrated by the Greek word kosmos, which means 'order' and 'decoration' as well as 'universe'. The common golden thread of Universal Truth woven through all the wisdom traditions is therefore also about an understanding of these underlying, ordering principles of the universe, by which the universe organizes itself and keeps itself in balance. These ordering principles are patterns that operate at all levels of reality that is to say not only at the physical level of the visible world around us, but also at all the levels of non-physical reality. Because these are the same ordering principles operating at all levels, these Omni applicable patterns are known as universal principles or universal laws." This shows that these universal laws are the main cause of the harmonious patterns and symmetries in all natural phenomena and processes. 

In his autographical note Einstein shows faith in some (inherent) law exists to predict the events in the atom, the craving for universal harmony (meaning orderliness established by laws) of the macrocosm must be predicated upon a similar harmony within the microcosm of the atom. Further, the harmony of the two cosmos must be joined in a grand harmonious scheme for the entire universe. He was convinced that it is "logically possible to establish such rigorous laws that they demand uniquely determined constants, whose numerical values could not be changed without destroying the theory."[33]

We may Conclude that the on-going research and explorations in the domains of natural and social sciences can establish a link between inherent synergy in atoms, cells, chemical and physical processes and human activities, we should understand the elegance of this coherent Order. The principles of harmonious existence will serve as a beacon light in all human endeavours. Otherwise, human beings shall pay the price for their negligence of the Law of Nature. It will also help the humanity to escape from conflicts and wars. To destruct world peace and natural harmony is a crime against humanity and peaceful coexistence. The foregoing analysis of the current understanding of existence form microcosm to macrocosm shows a definite order in the material, bio (Pranic), animal and knowledge orders.   Human beings have being evolved from the above order possessing the characteristics of these orders. However they are disillusioned to recognize this inherent characteristic with proper understanding of the prevalent orders of the existence, they may begin to realize this order and design education and socio-politico-economic orders to bring harmony based on the natural order. The following illustration indicates clearly.

In the field of natural and social sciences, research and explorations are being conducted to establish this inherent synergy at the atomic and cellular level of human beings in their chemical & physical and social activities. We should understand the elegance of this coherent order. The principles of harmonious existence will serve as a beacon light in all human endeavors. We have to understand the meaning of spiritual ecology i.e., living in harmony with everything that nature has created. Man must utilize the sources of nature as per his natural needs and give up his wanton desire for exploiting and overpowering nature. It may help humanity to escape from conflicts and wars.

Violation of world peace and natural harmony disrupts coexistence, an intrinsic character of existence. To our great satisfaction, the spiritual scriptures of the world and constitutional documents have always espoused the cause of peace and coexistence. We should not retard our ability to think and reason in solving our problems. Solutions are possible and they are waiting to be discovered only by unbiased and objective research. Individuals and organizations all over the world are striving to rectify human errors and restore global peace. Let's explore new possibilities and alternatives to realize the harmony on the planet Earth. Every individual has some responsibility to contribute to the process of global peace.

RE-STRUCTURING EDUCATION

The re-structuring of the curricula and the content of the education necessitate identification and understanding of the existential order of everything from atom to earth; human to human society in a natural context, natural laws to constitutional laws and the philosophies therein. Research studies from the earliest literature down to recent times are focused on the essential cosmic harmony - interrelatedness and interdependence of all planets and all beings. There is a harmonious unity in the phenomenal diversity. In the words of Philosopher Nagraj, (A Nagraj 2003), there is continuity in the process of evolution in the four stages of the Natural Order: material order, respiratory order, animal order, and knowledge order. Every unit in the Nature is coherent from within and correlated to the Cosmic Order from without. All existing living and non-living objects are self-controlled and inherently balanced by the Laws of Nature.

The philosophy of peace & harmony and values education is fundamentally a theoretical exercise, although it may yet serve as an exercise in applied philosophy. A formal philosophy of peace & harmony values education can assist to undergird individual, institutional, societal and governmental commitment to peace and harmony education, in all levels of education. Such education may be thought of as encouraging a commitment to peace-harmony as a settled disposition and enhancing the confidence of the individual as an shantidoot; as informing the student on the consequences of wars, exploitation of natural resources,   and social & economic injustice; as informing the student on the value of harmonious-peaceful and just social structures and working to uphold or develop such social structures; as encouraging the student to love the civilization and its prosperous future; and as caring for the student and encouraging the student to care for others.

Madhaystha Darshan by A. Nagraj elucidates and explains the Existence as Co-existence. In the light of the above the restructuring of the education should be on the basis of perfact combination of Knowledge (Gyan), Wisdom (vivek) and Science (vigyaan).[34] In Madhaystha Darshan Knowledge may be explained as following three categories:

Knowledge of Existential Philosophy (अस्तित्व दर्शन ज्ञान):

Existence is Coexistence, nature saturated in all-expansive space. Nature manifested as the four 'natural-orders': knowledge order, animal order, bio order, material order. Nature = collection of units = physiochemical and conscious units. Existence is in the form of co-existence, as "nature saturated in all-pervasive-entity or space". There are only two kinds of realities in Existence:

  • Units, or Nature (Matter, Mass, Substance, Material)
  • All-pervasive space (Omnipresence)

Units are "saturated" (samprikt) in the all-pervasive-entity (vyaapak vastu), currently called space. Saturated means to be Soaked (bheega) by which every unit is energized – (ऊर्जित), Encircled (ghira) by which every unit is restrained (नियंत्रित), Submerged (dooba): By which every unit is active – kriyasheel, (क्रियाशील)

'Space' has following attributes:

  • All-pervasive – vyaapak [व्यापक]: (there is no 'place' where space is not. Every 'place' itself is 'space')
  • Transparent – paardarshee [पारदर्शी]: (Reflecting, every unit is able to recognize the other unit by being in it)
  • Permeating – paargaami[पारगामी]: (Space exists 'where' there is a unit, units are soaked in space)
  • Omnipotence: satta [सत्ता]: (Energy in equilibrium: that neither increases, nor decreases)
  • Has no activity:kriyashunya [क्रियाशून्य]: (Inactive, not a 'unit', unchanging)

Knowledge of Conscious unit - Self (जीवन ज्ञान):

10 activities in the Self (Conscious) and the 5 Potentials and 5 Forces.

Potential
[बल]
Activity in State
[स्तिथि क्रिया]
Activity in Expression
[गति क्रिया]
Force
[
शक्ति]
'Stage/Degree' of understanding
Atma (Soul) Realization (anubhav) Evidentiality (pramaanikta) Evidence (pramaanikta) Realization (anubhuti)
Buddhi (Intellect) Comprehension (bodh) Determination (sankalp) Truthfulness (ritambhara) Certitude (prateeti)
Chitta Contemplation (chintan) Imaging (chitran) Desire (ichchha) Semblance (abhaas)
Vritti (Disposition) Weighing (tulan) Analyzing (vishleshan) Thought (vichar) Glimpse (bhaas)
Man (Mind) Tasting (aaswadan) Selecting (chayan) Expectation (asha)

Knowledge of Humane Conduct (मानवीयता पूर्ण आचरण ज्ञान):

Living in human-human relationships and human-nature relationships with values, character and ethics. Values are our participation in the larger orderliness. There: 4 values in the Self, or Jeevan, 6 Human Values, 18 Values in Human-Human relationship and 2 Values in Human-Nature relationship; totaling 30 values in all. Put together, these are 'human values'. Humane-character is the same for every human. Humane-character is in the form of righteous-wealth, morality in husband-wife relationship and work-behavior filled with kindness. [चरित्र = स्वधन, स्वनरी/स्वपुरुष, दया पूर्ण कार्य व्यवहार]. We realize Ethics when we rightly-use and protect our resources (body, mind, and wealth). [तन, मन,धन का सुरक्षा, सदुपयोग]. In this way, complete- humane-conduct gets explained as a combination of values, character, and ethics. These are the three pillars for our living in orderliness.

Wisdom (vivek):

  • Knowledge of Immortality of Jeevan (Conscious Self) & Mortality of Body
  • Knowledge of 'laws of living': intellectual, social & natural laws. (boudhik niyam, samajik niyam, prakritik niyam), Identify the human-goal, the human target
Science (vigyaan):
    • Knowledge of activity, time & decision making.
    • Sets the direction for Human-Goals identified in Wisdom.

    We may reorient and develop the content and curricula of education for the Peace and Harmony. This will be conflict less and conflict free approach. 

    Based on this the following universal tenets have been understood which should be the content of education:

    • Knowledge, Wisdom & Science;
    • Reality, Actuality & Truth;
    • Justice, Religion & Education;
    • Basic Structure of Human Society, and
    • World Organization of Nation States.

     

ANCIENT ROOTS: SANATANA DHARMA

The universal principles of the Sanatana Dharma are the most effective means to fight the ills of wars and religious fanaticism that affect the humanity today; causing untold suffering, meaningless bloodshed and it's a thread of extinct of civilization on earth. The world needs today the solace of the Vedic dictum, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"[35] ("vasudhā", the earth; "ēva", indeed is; and "kutumbakam", family) is a Vedic phrase that is often cited to assert that the whole world is one single family. Ultimately, the world is so deeply interconnected that we simply can't ignore this fact. Universal Human society has to work towards social, political, and environmental change if we are to save ourselves and leave a better world for future civilization.

The modern world has to imbibe the Vedic model that recognizes and accepts the plurality of religious approaches. It is the perfect scientific approach of the Vedantic wisdom to human development, that is highlighted in the motto of Sanatana Dharma, "bahujana hithaya, bahujana sukhaaya"[36] (for the happiness of the many, for the welfare of the many)", which aspires for the welfare and happiness of all people. Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad says "Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah, Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu, Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet, Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih.[37] (Meaning: Om, May All become Happy, May All be Free from Illness. May All See what is Auspicious, May no one Suffer. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.) Vedic wisdom tradition advocates and aims at the human expansion to universality, universal peace, harmony and Unity. Never indulging in parochialism or pessimism, it always has a universal outlook with optimistic thoughts and presents a noble worldview for the advancement of mankind.

Sixty-sixth session of UN, Item 19 (h) of the provisional agenda, on "Sustainable development: Harmony with Nature" Report of the Secretary-General says that "The evolving relationship of humankind with nature varies greatly in Eastern and Western intellectual traditions. Its roots are originally found in philosophy and religion. Although Eastern intellectual traditions are historically distinct from Western ones, the basic questions the great thinkers of Asia tried to answer are similar to those that have occupied philosophers and religious leaders in Europe and

The Americas — how can we give our life meaning? How can we find happiness? The insight and wisdom offered by Eastern and Western traditions provide opportunities for dialogue among civilizations and a deeper understanding of our relationship with nature. The following sections describe the evolving relationship of humankind with nature and how thinking about this relationship has influenced the development of environmental legislation in the twenty-first century. Lessons for achieving harmony with nature today are also considered."[38]

This highest objective of the any wisdom traditions and the purpose of human civilization, Brihadaranyaka Upanishads[39] declares the highest goal of humanity as "asato maa sadgamaya" (lead me from untruth to Reality), "tamaso maa jyotirgamaya" (lead me from darkness to Light), "mrityor maa amritangamaya" (lead me from death to immortality). It looks forward for a world free from wars and degrading religious conflicts.

Swami Jyotirmayananda says in his book "The relevance of Hindu Dharma for the Modern World & it's Renaissance in the New Millennium" that It is this universality of Hinduism (India ancient wisdom tradition) that inspired the Western thinker, Lord Morley, to observe: "What is found in the Vedas cannot be found anywhere else", and Manning to emphatically highlight the fact that "the philosophy of the Hindus is another proof of their superiority in civilization and intellect to the moderns. The Hindus had the widest range of mind of which man is capable."[40] This means Sanatana Dharma is always promoting everywhere the concept of universality and unity of all mankind as a Human Family, which has its eternal foundation on the Supreme Truth and inherent existential harmony. Sanatana Dharma feels the responsibility to help, unify and maintain the concepts of the Dharma present in diverse human cultures and thus spread the gospel of World Peace & harmony and the welfare of all. This will be based on the universal approach of Indian environment and ecological friendly Vedic culture which ensures universal global peace and harmony with unity and human security.

PEACE, HARMONY AND HARMONIOUS EDUCATION

The concepts of peace, harmony and human values have connotations in different contexts. Both words are used quite commonly and are in fact inseparable. While separately, both of the words convey different meanings, together they provide safe conditions for individuals and nations to go ahead with their pursuits of interest. In general this refers to relatively stable social, economic, and political conditions. Social stability implies a state free of conflicts which generate threat and fear. Human rights are protected under stable and harmonious economic and political conditions. The conditions: that support absence of conflicts and protect human values, human rights are important for both peace as well as harmony. The new notion of peace and harmony is much broader and includes a wide range of dangers and threats to human existence. Among others, these threats may be from terrorism, insurgency, and genocide, denial of human values & human rights, health epidemics, narcotics trade and irrational use of natural resources. This notion is primarily addressed to individuals. It includes freedom of individuals from hunger, freedom from wants, diseases and epidemics, environmental degradation, exploitation and sub-human treatment. In fact, peace and security is to be seen as the precondition to socio-economic development and to the maintenance of human dignity. Literature is replete with views, opinions, philosophies, and rigorous academic work accomplished in peace and harmony studies depending upon the contexts of specific development, democracy, humaneness and humanitarian assistance with regard to socio-economic and political situation considered in the investigation.

As mention above the Indian ancient wisdom tradition there are thousands of references are available with support and motivate the basic principles of peace and harmony. However, Peace can be viewed both as a state of mind, and a socio-political-economic condition. An individual is concerned with peace of mind or tranquility. In such a state of mind, an individual can be at peace irrespective of external disturbances. It is a common observation that we can think about the peace of other people only when we are at peace. Therefore, before promoting peace, we must begin with individual peace first and, this can be achieve by spiritual path available in wisdom tradition of India. Peace is also seen as concord or harmony. So, in relation to a family or a community, peace refers to a state of cordial relationship. On the other hand, peace does not mean a condition of complete absence of disturbances or conflicts. In fact, complete absence of disturbances or conflicts in the society or among nations is not possible. So, we peace must also be understood at the level of societies, nations, and the world.

Peace is a social and political condition for economic growth as well as for the harmonious world that fosters development of individuals, societies, and nations. Perhaps the most popular view is as an absence of hostility, violence, or war but it is not enough. It is possible when justice prevails, i.e., there is a rule of law. There is a rule of law, when order prevails. Under a working political order, there is existence of healthy interpersonal relationships, prosperity in the matters of social or economic welfare, and the establishment of equality that serves the true interests of all. This is the necessity for the peaceful co-existence. Consistent with this approach, Reardon (1988)[41]7 places global justice as the central concept of peace and asserts that "justice, in the sense of the full enjoyment of the entire range of human rights by all people, is what constitutes positive peace." In that sense, peace suggests the existence of healthy relationships among nations, and a balance of Powers. Peace in national or international relationships is generally considered as the absence of hostility, and lack of conflict or violence. In this context, peace suggests sincere attempts at reconciliation and the existence of healthy international relationships.

Peace has always been among humanity's highest values. It may be just as elusive to define as are other virtues characterized by truth, beauty, trust, love, and justice. In this state, we can celebrate our diversity, and search for the good in each other without the concern for personal pain and sacrifice. It provides us a chance to look at ourselves and others as part of one human family. This state is possible, when all people behave according to prescribed codes of conduct. Correspondingly, we need to create an environment of peace that must begin at homes and in schools.

Kennedy (1963)[42] took a narrow view of the human value of love in international relationships, "World peace, like community peace, does not require that each man love his neighbor—it requires only that they live together in mutual tolerance, submitting their disputes to a just and peaceful settlement." However, he proposed that it was well within the realm of human achievement, "Peace need not be impracticable, and war need not be inevitable. By defining our goal more clearly, by making it seem more manageable and less remote, we can help all peoples to see it, to draw hope from it, and to move irresistibly toward it." He further said, "Let us examine our attitude toward peace itself. Too many of us think it is impossible. Too many think it unreal. But that is a dangerous, defeatist belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable—that mankind is doomed—that we are gripped by forces we cannot control. We need not accept that view. Our problems are man-made—therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings."

Dr. Leo Semashko, President, Global Harmony Association (GHA) says that Global harmonious education is the basic generating mechanism of a harmonious civilization at least in four moments. First, only it is capable to transform the spheral classes of the population from spontaneous in conscious actors of social harmony or harmonious civilization. Secondly, only it provides these classes with scientific knowledge of building this civilization at all levels: global, regional, national and local. Thirdly, only it creates the person adequate to this civilization: homo harmonious. Fourthly, creating the harmonious (multidimensional instead of one-dimensional) human resource, which unique makes all resources, harmonious education harmonizes all other social resources through the person: information, including culture and religion; organisation, including finance (money) and democracy; and economy, including markets, property, competition, incomes and environment. Harmonious education provides conscious, peaceful and nonviolent evolution of a harmonious civilization.

This education is harmonious in four aspects: on the purpose, content, way and executors educators who will prepare by the corresponding Academies of Harmony (above). Only similar education is capable to learn us and our children to become the good citizens of global village, providing it an everlasting peace, prosperity, fraternity and happiness to all nations. Therefore, this education demands the priority development and financing in the process of conscious building harmonious civilization at all levels and from all sources, including unprecedented, harmonious in essences, philanthropy of 40 billionaires from the USA. If all previous civilizations in history were established spontaneously and violently in continuous wars, the harmonious civilization, the first and unique, can and is established only knowingly, that is why peacefully and non-violently, thanks to global harmonious education. Formation of this education is the most essential requirement of modern humankind without which the harmonious solution of all global problems is impossible and, finally, survival of humankind.[43]

Strictly speaking, peace & harmony is very subjective with certain objectivity and we can't hope for peace & harmony in the world until we all have peace in our own mind & hearts and then in activities. When we are at peace & harmony, we emanate peace & harmony from our personality and thus motivate others to seek peace & harmony. In the state of peace & harmony we have good will toward all people and the thought of hate or violence wouldn't enter our minds and activities. Hence, Harmonious Education may play a very positive role.

According to Gandhi nonviolence is precondition to the existence of peace. His understanding of nonviolence was ahimsa, which is the absence of harm or injury to all beings in thought, speech and action. Practice of ahimsa is so powerful that it creates a moral force that has potential to transform all negative thoughts of causing harm, injury, or violence on others with positive thoughts of love, brotherhood and understanding. Ahimsa is a universal value that must be cultivated at all levels: personal, social, national, and international so that all conflicts can be resolved through dialog and understanding alone (Rai).[44] Gandhi's thinking was that there is no dividing line between private and public life, so he recommends that moral principles should be followed in politics. World peace is possible if nations willingly cooperate to prevent warfare. But the question is this how to transform the system according to the way of nonviolence.

War and violence result in the systemic and sweeping denial of civil and political rights, along with wrong economic, social, and cultural policies as scarce resources are expended on weapons and preparation for war. Human rights are the crucial connection between peace and security and the rule of law for harmonious society.  Some says that enduring peace will be attained only when all human rights are fulfilled. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that if "man is not to be compelled to have resource, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression," human rights should be protected by the rule of law and universal common harmonious education to all.

Anybody who digresses with the Laws of Nature is bound to impinge upon the rights of others and consequently disturb the system harmony. Therefore, it is irrational and immoral to recognize any kind of extraordinary privileges for human beings at the cost of several other bodies/units of the Earth planet. Human beings have to understand their essential obligations and functions in coherence with the larger interest of existence. The human existence has to function and sustain itself within this System. Accordingly, we need to create political, economic, and educational institutions in consonance with the spirit of the laws of existential harmony. Grant Hardy says "Eastern traditions are often interpreted as presenting no sharp divide between creator and created animals, between humans and gods. In Hinduism, for example, there is a focus on metaphysics, including the concepts of samsara (reincarnation), karma (cosmic justice), moksha (liberation from the cycle of existence) and atman (inner ultimate reality)."[45]

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