Concepts in Indian Ethos

8/3/2019 Concepts in Indian Ethos

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CONCEPTS INCONCEPTS ININDIAN ETHOSINDIAN ETHOS


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CONCEPT OF MANCONCEPT OF MAN

Divinity is conceptualized as ultimateDivinity is conceptualized as ultimateenergy or power.energy or power.

Energy exists within Man, as it exists inEnergy exists within Man, as it exists inother beings. But man is the one beingother beings. But man is the one beingthat has the capacity to realize this truththat has the capacity to realize this truth

and attain Moksha (eternal happiness orand attain Moksha (eternal happiness orbliss) because man alone has the facultybliss) because man alone has the facultyof intellect and reasoning.of intellect and reasoning.


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CONCEPT OF MANCONCEPT OF MAN

Man is capable of achieving anything byMan is capable of achieving anything bymaking the right endeavours.making the right endeavours.

The evil traits that prevent man fromThe evil traits that prevent man fromachieving his goals are lust, anger,achieving his goals are lust, anger,

greed, infatuation, pride, envy. Thesegreed, infatuation, pride, envy. Theseemotions prevent clear thinking.emotions prevent clear thinking.


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CONCEPT OF YOGACONCEPT OF YOGA

Yoga refers to the unification of man with theYoga refers to the unification of man with theSupreme, who is conceptualized as anSupreme, who is conceptualized as an

ultimate power and the source of all energy.ultimate power and the source of all energy.

The characteristics of the ultimate DivinityThe characteristics of the ultimate Divinityexist in every human being, which he neglectsexist in every human being, which he neglectswhen he gets lost in the transient trivialities ofwhen he gets lost in the transient trivialities ofthe material world.the material world.


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CONCEPT OF YOGACONCEPT OF YOGA

When man realizes the truth about himselfWhen man realizes the truth about himselfand everyone around him (his ultimateand everyone around him (his ultimate

potential), his ignorance disappears,potential), his ignorance disappears,knowledge appears, and he achievesknowledge appears, and he achievesunification.unification.

He recognizes his true nature which is divine,He recognizes his true nature which is divine,attains the state of bliss (nonattains the state of bliss (non--existence ofexistence ofnegative emotions). Yoga helps one attainnegative emotions). Yoga helps one attainthat State.that State.


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MEDITATIONMEDITATION

Meditation is the natural process ofMeditation is the natural process ofwithdrawing attention from thewithdrawing attention from theenvironmental, physical and mentalenvironmental, physical and mentalprocesses and consciously directing itprocesses and consciously directing itinward to a chosen focus of attention.inward to a chosen focus of attention.


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Benefits of Meditation:Benefits of Meditation:

Stress reductionStress reduction

Strengthening of bodys immune systemStrengthening of bodys immune system

Improvement in concentration powerImprovement in concentration power

Slowing down of biological ageing processSlowing down of biological ageing process

Brings forth clear state of awareness thatBrings forth clear state of awareness thatmakes spiritual growth easier.makes spiritual growth easier.


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MethodMethod Cross legged sitting posture with spineCross legged sitting posture with spine

erect & uprighterect & upright Sit on a firm surface like floor or hard bedSit on a firm surface like floor or hard bed

using a rug or towelusing a rug or towel

Close eyes to avoid distraction from outsideClose eyes to avoid distraction from outside

worldworld Hands on the knees or lapHands on the knees or lap

Be aware if the movement of the breath.Be aware if the movement of the breath.


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MethodMethod Fix the mind by focusing on any one point,Fix the mind by focusing on any one point,

object or ideaobject or idea Silently repeat some words that describeSilently repeat some words that describe

the object or idea, or repeat a chant orthe object or idea, or repeat a chant orprayer or sound like Om or Lord.prayer or sound like Om or Lord.

Acquire calmness of mind and observe howAcquire calmness of mind and observe howthe stray thoughts and diversions reducethe stray thoughts and diversions reduceand focus continues for long periods.and focus continues for long periods.


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SPIRITUALITYSPIRITUALITY

An awareness of the oneness in theAn awareness of the oneness in theuniverseuniverse

Message of universal brotherhood andMessage of universal brotherhood andmutual respect is preached in everymutual respect is preached in everyreligion. Hinduism, Christianity, Islamreligion. Hinduism, Christianity, Islam

and Sikhism all proclaim that alland Sikhism all proclaim that allcreatures are members of the onecreatures are members of the onefamily of God.family of God.


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Prompts everyone to see every otherPrompts everyone to see every otherbeing as an extension of oneself,being as an extension of oneself,

endowed with understanding andendowed with understanding andwisdom.wisdom.

Makes one humble since one does notMakes one humble since one does not

assume superiority over others, butassume superiority over others, butunderstands that all other beings haveunderstands that all other beings haveunique gifts & talents and roles to play.unique gifts & talents and roles to play.


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Makes one selfless because recognisingMakes one selfless because recognisingothers as important elements of onesothers as important elements of ones

environment generates an approachenvironment generates an approachthat is unselfish.that is unselfish.

Makes one love and be concerned aboutMakes one love and be concerned about

everything in nature including animals &everything in nature including animals &plants, and also the environment.plants, and also the environment.


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Avoid exploiting or cheating others.Avoid exploiting or cheating others.

Be concerned about matters other thanBe concerned about matters other thanthe comforts & pleasures of the sense.the comforts & pleasures of the sense.

Recognise that ones success is to beRecognise that ones success is to beseen in terms other than material.seen in terms other than material.

Provides a strong base for ethicalProvides a strong base for ethicalbehaviour in business.behaviour in business.


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CONCEPT OF DHARMACONCEPT OF DHARMA

Dharma in Sanskrit means that whichDharma in Sanskrit means that whichsustains or holds together.sustains or holds together.

Dharma is the foundation which holdsDharma is the foundation which holdsthe universe together.the universe together.

It suggests right behaviourIt suggests right behaviour


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Dharmic actions include:Dharmic actions include:

Charity, or generosity, sharing andCharity, or generosity, sharing and

elimination of possessiveness.elimination of possessiveness.

Forgiveness which comes out of concern forForgiveness which comes out of concern forothers and eliminates anger and hatred.others and eliminates anger and hatred.

NonNon--violence which is the effort to avoidviolence which is the effort to avoidinjury physically or mentally.injury physically or mentally.

Denunciation of greed.Denunciation of greed.


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Attitude to parents and guests who areAttitude to parents and guests who aretreated as equivalent to or manifestationstreated as equivalent to or manifestations

of the Supreme. Service to them is the dutyof the Supreme. Service to them is the dutyof everyone.of everyone.

Duty: Do well what you are expected to do.Duty: Do well what you are expected to do.Dont try to do what is someone elses job,Dont try to do what is someone elses job,

no matter how nice and attractive it mightno matter how nice and attractive it mightbe.be.


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CONCEPT OF MAYACONCEPT OF MAYA

The concept of Maya states that theThe concept of Maya states that theworld in which we live is essentially anworld in which we live is essentially an

illusion, like cinema. We experience it asillusion, like cinema. We experience it asreal, feeling all the emotions that disturbreal, feeling all the emotions that disturbus or bring us joy. If we realize that it isus or bring us joy. If we realize that it is

an illusion, we can remain calm andan illusion, we can remain calm andcollected without being carried away bycollected without being carried away byextremes of emotion.extremes of emotion.


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Everything is subjective. TheEverything is subjective. Theenvironment is as we make it to be. Theenvironment is as we make it to be. The

people around us are as good or bad aspeople around us are as good or bad aswe say they are.we say they are.

Every individual is 3 persons (1) whatEvery individual is 3 persons (1) whathe thinks he is (2) what someone elsehe thinks he is (2) what someone elsethinks he is (3) what he really is.thinks he is (3) what he really is.

When we assert that something is aWhen we assert that something is afact, it is probably an opinion.fact, it is probably an opinion.


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It is futile to get attached to anything orIt is futile to get attached to anything oranybody.anybody.

Pleasure or happiness does not lie in thePleasure or happiness does not lie in theobjects we pursue but in our minds.objects we pursue but in our minds.

We must learn to cherish relationshipsWe must learn to cherish relationships

as long as they last and accept their lossas long as they last and accept their losswhen they end, instead of reacting withwhen they end, instead of reacting withgrief. There should be no stronggrief. There should be no strongattachment to worldly possessions.attachment to worldly possessions.


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CONCEPT OF KARMACONCEPT OF KARMA

A person is known by his character, which isA person is known by his character, which isthe expression of his values.the expression of his values.

Values are formed through experiences, whichValues are formed through experiences, whichare the results of ones deeds, Karma.are the results of ones deeds, Karma.

Therefore ones character is the result ofTherefore ones character is the result ofones karma. What one does in the presentones karma. What one does in the presentwill determine what he will be in future andwill determine what he will be in future andtherefore his future actions.therefore his future actions.

One is both the cause and result of onesOne is both the cause and result of ones

actions.actions.


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CONCEPT OF KARMACONCEPT OF KARMA

Karma makes one fully responsible forKarma makes one fully responsible forwhat happens to him or herwhat happens to him or her one canone can

determine ones own destiny.determine ones own destiny.

When one takes responsibility forWhen one takes responsibility foroneself, one does not blame others foroneself, one does not blame others for

what is happening to oneself (eg.what is happening to oneself (eg.Asking what one can do if the wholeAsking what one can do if the wholeworld is corrupt).world is corrupt).

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Concepts in Indian Ethos