UHV-IV: Vision for Humane Society

Course Introduction

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

 UHV IV
Vision for Humane Society

Module 1: Introduction to the course

Lecture 1: Overview of the Course

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the lecture, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the following key
aspects:

Outline of the Course

Course Objectives

Course Methodology

Course Syllabus

Lectures Plan

3
Introduction:

• Everyone naturally wants to live a fulfilling life and desires a harmonious society that can
facilitate everyone’s expectations for a satisfying life.

• A fulfilling life includes

 Happiness in oneself in continuity
 A healthy body
 Prosperity in family
 Harmonious relationships in and around family
 Peace and harmony in society
 Coexistence with Nature
 Conducive social structures and systems help us live in a mutually fulfilling manner with humans and
the rest of Nature, and
 Continuity of the above for the next generations.

• The course aims to visualise such a society and proposes a roadmap to guide
individuals and society toward realising and sustaining a fulfilling life.

4
Introduction:

• There are two important aspects of Humane Society

 Undivided Human Society
 Universal Human Order

• Thus, the course is primarily divided into two categories

• First in the context of society
• The other in the context of the societal system

Society = Living together of all human beings

System =The structure of systems, the processes, methods, etc. adopted for the
fulfillment of the collective social goal.

Human society, order = A society, social order in which there is a possibility, provision, and
opportunity for every human being to live with fulfilment in continuity.

5
Outline of the Course

1. What is the human goal? Where do we want to be as a society and societal system?
2. What are the systems and dimensions required for realizing the human goal? e.g., what is
essential, what needs to be done in the education system, in production, in the justice
system, etc.?
3. What part is working and what is not can be identified through a critical appraisal of the
present state in the context of the desired human goal.
4. What would be the steps for ensuring harmony in the parts that are not working
harmoniously?
5. It is also essential to study some of the meaningful efforts made in this direction.

6
Course Objectives

• To help students understand the importance and types of relationships and develop
skills in establishing and maintaining healthy and fulfilling relationships.
This objective aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of different types of
relationships and the significance of positive connections in their lives. Additionally, it emphasises
developing skills necessary for building and nurturing relationships based on established and
expressed values.

• To cultivate students' critical thinking and analytical abilities to comprehend and

contribute to the conceptual framework of an inclusive society and universal human
order.
This objective focuses on fostering students’ ability to think critically and analyse the fundamental
concepts and principles behind creating an undivided society and a universal human order.
Students will be encouraged to explore different perspectives and engage in thoughtful
discussions to contribute to the development of such frameworks.

7
Course Objectives

• To familiarise students with historical and contemporary efforts towards creating a

harmonious society and provide exposure to various transitional processes.
This objective aims to broaden students’ knowledge and understanding of the ongoing historical
efforts dedicated to achieving a harmonious society. Students will explore different approaches,
initiatives, and movements that have contributed to societal progress and transitions. This
exposure will enable them to recognise the challenges and opportunities associated with societal
transformations.

• To enhance problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities in students to address

prevalent social issues effectively.
This objective emphasises developing students’ problem-solving skills and critical thinking
abilities. They will learn to apply their knowledge and analytical skills to identify and address
prevalent social issues in their communities. By developing a proactive and solution-oriented
mindset, students will contribute to positive societal change.

8
Course Methodology

• The methodology of this course is explorational and thus universally adaptable.

• It is free from any dogma or set of do’s and don’ts related to values.
• It is a process of self-exploration and self-investigation and not giving sermons. Whatever is
found as truth or reality is stated as a proposal and students are facilitated and encouraged to
verify it in their own right, based on their natural acceptance and subsequent experiential
validation.
• The process of self-exploration takes the form of a dialogue between the teacher and students
to begin with. Then, the dialogue continues within the student leading to continuous self-
evolution.
• This self-exploration also enables them to evaluate their preconditions and present beliefs
critically.

9
Course Syllabus

• Module 1 -Introduction to the course [09]

Basic Aspiration of a Human Being and program for its fulfillment, need for family and
relationship for a Human Being, Human relationship and role of work in its fulfillment,
Comprehensive Human Goal, Need for Undivided Society, Need for Universal Human Order,
an appraisal of the Current State, Appraisal of Efforts in this Direction in Human History.

• Module 2 - To ensure Undivided Society: Understanding Human-Human Relationship & its

fulfilment [10]
Recognition of Human-Human Relationships, Recognition of feelings in relationships,
Established Values and Expressed Values in Relationship, the interrelatedness of feelings and
their fulfilment, Expression of feelings, Types of relationship and their purpose, mutual
evaluation in a relationship, Meaning of justice in a relationship, Justice leading to culture,
civilization and Human Conduct

10
Course Syllabus

• Module 3- Justice and order from family to world family order [09]
Undivided Society as continuity and expanse of Justice in behavior – family to world
family order, continuity of culture and civilization; Universal Order on the basis of Undivided
Society, Conceptual Framework for Universal human order, Universal Human Order as
continuity and expanse of order in living: from family order to world family order. Program for
Ensuring Undivided Society and Universal Human Order.

• Module 4 - Program for Ensuring Undivided Society and Universal Human Order (continued)
[08]
Understanding various dimensions to ensure Universal Human Order.

• Module 5- Human Order and Human Tradition [06]

Human Tradition: Scope and Steps of Universal Human Order, Human Tradition ( Ex.
Family order to world family order), Steps for the transition from the current state,
Possibilities of participation of students in this direction, Present efforts in this direction,
Sum up
11
 UHV IV
Vision for Humane Society

Module 1: Introduction to the course

Lecture 2: Need to Visualize the Humane Society

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this chapter, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the following key
aspects:

Clarity of Basic Aspirations

Requirements to fulfil the basic aspirations

Need to visualise a humane society

Basis of a humane society

13
Basic Aspirations

• We want to live
 Living with the physical facility (survival)

• We want to live with fulfilment

 Fulfilment in relationship
 Ensuring required physical facility

• We want to live with continuous fulfilment

 Right understanding in the Self
 Fulfilment in a relationship
 Ensuring more than required physical facility

Humane society includes an Undivided Society and a Universal Human Order

14
Requirements to fulfil basic aspirations

• We want to live
 Living with the physical facility (survival)

• We want to live with fulfilment

 Fulfilment in relationship
 Ensuring required physical facility

• We want to live with continuous fulfilment

 Right understanding in the Self
 Fulfilment in a relationship
 Ensuring more than required physical facility

Humane society includes an Undivided Society and a Universal Human Order

15
Need for Visualising a Humane Society

Ask yourself which one of the following will lead to continuous fulfilment:

• The feeling of justice and readiness to participate in the larger order within ourselves only
• The feeling of justice and readiness to participate in the larger order in everyone.

16
Basis for Humane Society: Family and Relationships

• The previous section emphasised the significance of visualising and striving for a humane
society that harmoniously facilitates our basic aspirations.

• The essential feelings and dynamics within relationships are central to the foundation of such a
society.

• These relationships can be based on truth, love and compassion.

• By nurturing and valuing these feelings within our interactions, we create an environment that
supports our well-being and enables harmonious coexistence.

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Basis for Humane Society: Family and Relationships

• Every human being enters this world as a part of a family, a foundational unit comprised of
parents, grandparents, children, youth, uncles, aunts, cousins, and an extensive network of
relatives and friends.

• From childhood, the family becomes the nurturing and developmental environment where we
receive care and support, especially during times of illness and old age.

• It is within the family that we first learn to interact with other human beings, share, and cultivate
a sense of care and concern.

• The family serves as our initial introduction to the concept of relationships, and each
relationship name holds many associated feelings that become increasingly enriched as we
engage and connect with others.

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Basis for Humane Society: Family and Relationships

• Every human being enters this world as a part of a family, a foundational unit comprised of parents,
grandparents, children, youth, uncles, aunts, cousins, and an extensive network of relatives and friends.

• From the moment we hear the word “mother,” a flood of emotions and connections is evoked. Likewise,
every relationship we have carries unique sentiments that deepen as we engage with those individuals.

• Our fundamental understanding of living in relationships is cultivated within the family.

• The formative years encompass the initial stages of our development and are spent within the family
unit. During this time, we absorb significant aspects of our cultural and moral upbringing, acquiring
values and principles through our interactions with family elders, siblings, neighbors, and friends.

• The family also provides a platform for us to test and refine our understanding of the world around us.

• In essence, the family serves as the basic unit or building block of human organisation. It acts as a
practice ground for navigating relationships and fostering harmony and order.

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 UHV IV
Vision for Humane Society

Module 1: Introduction to the course

Lecture 3: Recognizing Human Goals

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

Last Lecture

Clarity of Basic Aspirations

Requirements to fulfil the basic aspirations

Need to visualise a humane society

Basis of a humane society

21
Learning Outcomes of the lecture

• By the end of this lecture, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the human goals at the
level of:

Individual

Family

Society

Nature

22
Understanding Human Goals

23
Human Goals at the level of Individual

24
Human Goals at the level of Individual

The following goals to ensure a fulfilling life, keeping the above discussion in mind, are
identified at the level of the individual:

• Right understanding, right feelings & right thoughts in self.

• Health in the body.
• The competence to recognise required physical facilities with the feeling of prosperity
and right skills to produce it while ensuring harmony with the rest of Nature.
• The competence to right utilise the produced physical facilities along with the ability to
preserve mind, body, and physical facility.
• Ability to live in a community with right behavior and work collaboratively.
• The mindset of participation in larger order – at least in the family order (ability to
recognise responsibility in the family system and competence to fulfill that responsibility)

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Human Goal – at the level of Family

• Ability to recognize relationships in the family

− Recognising relationships like father-mother, son-daughter, brother-sister
− Ensuring and Fulfilling the expected feelings in these relationships
− Mindset and competence for service (Seva), as and when required

• Recognising need for the physical facility, its production.. Right utilization…. Ensuring feeling of
prosperity in the family

• Ability to look after the next generation (in body and mind)

• Acceptance of responsibilities that the family is expected to fulfill in the society; its fulfillment
with the collaboration with the family

• Preservation of family traditions from generation to generation (related to meaningful family,

societal achievements)

26
Human Goal – at the level of Society

• Fulfilment in relationship with relatives, friends and all those who come in contact (strangers) –
at least feeling of trust – environment of fearlessness

• Fulfilment of collective responsibilities – those responsibilities that are required for the societal
systems to work smoothly and effectively

• Development of a conducive social environment

 So the family can feel assured and be able to participate joyously
 So that the family can live in a self-organised manner while preserving the family and societal culture

• Development of a humanistic constitution

• Relationship of mutual fulfilment between all (including various countries)

27
Human Goal – at the level of Nature

• Ensuring mutual enrichment with every unit in nature (at the individual, family, village…
national… international levels)

• Ensuring Cyclic and mutually enriching production processes.

• Ensuring Preservation (Right Utilization, Protection and Enrichment) of Natural Resources

• The above ensures sustainable interaction with Nature

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Problem – A state due to absence of fulfilment of the goal

• Observe that the problems that we see at any level - individual, family, societal (Village, ...,
national, international) or at the level of entire nature – are nothing but the absence of
fulfillment of some part of the human goal

• If we ensure the fulfilment of these (human) goals, then it seems feasible that we will also get
rid of the problems we are facing today

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Sum Up
1. Goals at the level of individual:
• To ensure right understanding, right feelings, and right thoughts at the level of the self.
• To ensure health at the level of the body.
• Ability to ensure proper utilization of body, mind, and physical facilities.
• Ability to develop right thought, right action, and right behavior while living in complementarity.
• Ability to identify and maintain responsibilities in the family system.

2. Goals at the level of a family:

• To ensure right behavior in all relations through right thoughts, right feelings, and mindset with the competence of services as and when required.
• To ensure eco-friendly and ethical production along with prosperity in the family according to one’s ability.
• To ensure care and guidance to the next generation.
• To accept the responsibility for the roles that are to be maintained at the level of society.
• To maintain the tradition of significant achievements at the family or society level.

3. Goals at the level of society:

• Fulfillment in relationship with relatives, friends, and all those who come in contact (strangers) – at least feeling of trust – environment of fearlessness
• Fulfillment of collective responsibilities – those responsibilities that are required for the societal systems to work smoothly and effectively
• Development of a conducive social environment
• Development of a humanistic constitution
• Relationship of mutual fulfillment between all (including various countries

4. Goals at the level of Nature:

 Ensuring mutual enrichment with every unit in nature at the individual, family, village… national… international levels)
 Ensuring Cyclic and mutually enriching production processes

30
 UHV IV
Vision for Humane Society

Module 1: Introduction to the course

Lecture 4: Appraisal of the Current State

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

Last Lecture

• Human goals at the level of:

Individual

Family

Society

Nature

32
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lecture, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the following key
concepts :

Appraisal of the current state of society

Major Achievement of the modern development

Root cause of the prevalent problems

Need of the course

33
Major Achievements of the Present Society

The world has witnessed phenomenal development on this planet with the help of explosive
growth in scientific and technological knowledge and their multifarious applications, particularly
with the use of fossil fuels.

• The atom has been smashed, resulting in the tremendous release of energy and also opening the
gates of the wonderful world of electronics.
• Information technology has worked wonders bringing in the digital revolution; communication can
now be established instantaneously with anyone and anywhere on the globe.
• We are able to engineer genes and walk on the moon.
• Miraculous drugs and advanced surgical techniques have become available which can provide
quick relief from severe pain as well as rectifications or transplants of even vital organs of human body;
• The green revolution has been able to achieve spectacular results in agricultural production,
promising an era of abundance free from hunger and poverty.

Like this, there is an endless list of achievements of the present development model towards which
everyone seems to be fascinated. As a result, this development is being embraced almost globally – by
all nations irrespective of their culture, ideology and political system.

34
Fast Growing Problems in Society
Today, things can be done at a pace much greater than perhaps any time in the past. However, there
are fast-growing problems at all levels of society due to the absence of comprehensive goals and
programs.

• Environmental pollution, global warming, climate change and resource depletion have become serious maladies.
• Unemployment and poverty still continue to make healthy survival difficult for a sizable population. As a result, there is
also wide-spread violence and strife among communities and nations. Well-authenticated statistical data confirm this
dark side of modern development and raise serious questions about its sustainability.
• Despite the tremendous growth of the economy, nearly 1.2 billion people remain below the extreme poverty line
(NDPSCS, 2013). According to this report published by the Kingdom of Bhutan, approximately one out of eight people
in the present population goes to bed hungry.
• Also, major disparities in accessing essential services persist between rural and urban areas. There is an ever-
growing consumption in developed countries and a stark disparity in the consumption of developed and developing
nations. As such, the wealthiest 20% of people use 58% of all energy and the poorest 20% less than 4%.
• On one hand, there is an unaffordable increase in the population of developing nations demanding higher and higher
consumption, on the other, there is an ever- growing consumeristic demand among the ‘haves’- both contributing to
an unsustainable consumption pattern.

35
Root Cause of Prevalent Problems: Assuming human being to be only body

36
Root Cause of Prevalent Problems: Wrong Assumptions about Happiness and Prosperity

• In the worldview which has dominantly influenced modern development, the perception of human happiness has
become primarily materialistic

• it conceives that the pleasant sensory interaction with selective material objects is the prime source of happiness.

• But since all the sensory interactions are inherently transient in Nature this can never lead to sustainable happiness. In
an attempt to make it perpetual, continuous effort is made to maximise and perpetuate happiness through this mode by
trying to evolve and indulge in more and more pleasurable material interactions of newer kinds.

• This naturally gives rise to ever-increasing ‘consumerism’ or the tendency towards unlimited material needs. It is also
responsible for the widespread modern ethos for profit maximisation and increasing accumulation of enjoyable goods
and services.

• The fallacy inherent in this perception can easily be recognised as on one hand, it directly leads to unbridled
exploitation of natural environment as well as other human beings leading to strife, disparities, violence and continuous
environmental degradation; on the other hand it is also responsible for engendering restlessness, tension, insecurity,
fear, psychological problems and other incongruities within the human beings.

37
Root Cause of Prevalent Problems: Gross Misunderstanding of Human Goals

38
Current State

39
Problem – A state due to absence of fulfilment of the goal

Individual Family Society Nature

• Rising problems of • Breaking of joint • Growing • Global warming
depression families incidences of • Water, air, soil,
• Relative • Mistrust terrorism and noise, etc.
confidence • Conflict between naxalism pollution
• Psychological older and younger • Rising • Resource
disorders generations communalism depletion of
• Suicides • Insecurity in • Spreading minerals and
• Stress relationships casteism mineral oils
• Insecurity • Divorce • Racial and ethnic • Sizeable
• Psychosomatic • Dowry tortures struggle deforestations
diseases • Family feuds • Wars between • Loss of fertility of
• Loneliness etc. • Wasteful nations soil.
expenditure in • Attempts of
family functions genocide
etc. • Fear of nuclear
and genetic
warfare, etc.
40
 UHV IV
Vision for Humane Society

Module 1: Introduction to the course

Lecture 5: Need for Undivided Society and Universal Human

Order

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

Last Lecture

• In the last lecture, we discussed the present state of society. We explored the good-
intentioned efforts and their achievements along with increasing problems due to the lack of
clarity of human goals.

• Identifying the programs to find solutions at a societal level is important. For this, the
sequence of programs also needs to be identified systematically.

42
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this chapter, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the following key
concepts :

Need for Undivided Society and Universal Human Order

Appraisal of efforts made to ensure a harmonious society.

43
Need for an Undivided Society

• There are two crucial points to move forward

1. Changes in society are the achievement of collective efforts, not individual ones. Since
these efforts are to be done and achieved collectively, there is a need to put coordinated
efforts in an organised manner.

2. As a society, it is also essential to recognise the correct sequence of efforts because the
result is visible after a long gap. Many activities may take several generations for smooth
implementation at the state and national levels.

Therefore, there is a need to understand collective goals.

44
Objectives of Collective Goals

• There are two objectives of collective goals

1. Ensuring an undivided society with feelings of relationships in continuity

2. Ensuring order* in society.

*Order = A social order in which there is a possibility, provision and opportunity for every
human being to live with fulfilment in continuity.

45
Appraisal of Efforts in the Direction in Human History

• Ancient civilisations, such as those in ancient India, China, Greece, Egypt, and others, laid
the groundwork for societal harmony through their philosophical and ethical teachings.
• Religious leaders and spiritual guides have played a crucial role in advocating for
compassion, empathy, and universal love throughout history.
• In contemporary times, the idea of an undivided society and universal human order remains
a central theme in discussions about global cooperation, human rights, environmental
sustainability, and social justice.
• The next chapter will quote such efforts from Indian tradition system to ensure an undivided
society and universal human order.

46
 UHV IV
Vision for Humane Society

Module 1: Introduction to the course

Lecture 6: How to live in Relationship

(Eightfold Path )

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

Last Lecture:

• The last chapter discussed the need for an undivided society and universal human order.

• We also appreciated the efforts made in human history to ensure both. We will discuss such
efforts in the next three chapters.

• The important point to note is that all the efforts were made to prepare human beings to
interact harmoniously with others and the rest of Nature.

48
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this chapter, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Eight Noble Path

49
Ashtanga Marg (Noble Eight-Fold Path)

Traditionally, the Ashtanga way is one of the prominent ways to live in an organised way at an individual
level. Out of many paths that lead us to the human goal is, ultimately, the goals which we identify at an
individual level - as of right understanding in the self, right feeling and right thought in the self, right action,
and right behaviour. Ashtanga means - with eight limbs. These are the Noble Eightfold paths, which we will
discuss in this lecture.

1. Samyak Drishti (Right View )

2. Samyak Sankalpa (Right Resolve )
3. Samyak Vachan (Right Speech )
4. Samyak Karma (Right Action )
5. Samyak Aajeevika (Right Livelihood )
6. Samyak Vyayaam/Parishram (Right Effort )
7. Samyak Dhyaan (Right Mindfulness/ Awareness )
8. Samyak Samadhi (Right Vision/ Meditation)

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1. Samyak Drishti (Right View )

• The first important step of the Ashtanga Marg is Samyak Drishti. The word ‘Samyak’ means - right.
• ‘Drishti ‘refers to the point of view. It is explicit that before objectifying/aiming at anything, we need to evaluate
first. If we find anything useful for ourselves, we accept it as a goal.
• The right view is meant to see happiness as happiness and unhappiness as unhappiness.
• This philosophy's most important aspect is understanding the sources of happiness and unhappiness. Once it
is identified, we try to tread on the path despite all the pre-conditioned obstacles.
• In the absence of the right view, we often expect happiness from things that are a source of
unhappiness.
E.g. exploiting the other and assuming that it will lead to happiness
E.g. Committing corruption or robbery and assuming it will lead to fulfillment

• We can see that for such desires/expectations (which are not aligned with reality):
 We are unhappy when we are thinking about it
 We are unhappy while doing it
 We are unhappy with the result/outcome
• Complete alignment of our view/vision (with reality) is knowledge

51
2. Samyak Sankalpa (Right Resolve )

• After correctly identifying our aspirations, we must have the right resolve to take up essential
activities responsibly.
• Right resolve means clarity in thoughts as per right knowledge.

So,
• If our decision is correct (for harmony, aligned to reality), then our external expression is right
(mutually fulfilling)
• if our decision is incorrect (not aligned to reality), then our external expression is also not right
(not fulfilling). In the absence of right resolve we are in conflict, depression, anxiety, opposition
etc.

• Our decisions reflect in behavior, work and livelihood. Therefore, for our decisions to be right,
we have to have the right resolve.

• Right resolve refers to all those decisions which we intend to express or execute in a mutual
relationship.

52
3. Samyak Vachan (Right Speech )

• The third step is the right speech, ‘Samyak Vachan’

• To be able to say the right things in the right manner

• Our speech (what we say) is right and the manner it is said is also right

• It is necessary to that we speak the truth and the way of speaking is also right (appealing)

• Absence of right speech: speaking untruth, hurting by using harsh words, criticising, gossiping,
fruitless conversation…

• Thus: for our behavior to be right, it is essential that our speech is right and our expressions
are appealing. The most significant part of behavior is right speech

53
4. Samyak Karma (Right Action )

• The fourth step, along with the Right View, Right Speech, and Right Resolve, is right action
(samyak karma).
• Right action means the actions should be based on the right resolution and right view.
• In other words, we can say that our actions should be aligned with reality. Actions may be at a
mental or physical level.
• We can also say that our behavior should ensure mutual happiness, work should ensure
mutual prosperity, and overall our actions should ensure participation in the larger order. These
actions are named as Karma.
• ‘Karmant’ means the final part of an action, which determines the expression of behavior. But
before the expression of behavior, we make decisions in thoughts, known as a mental action.
Mental action is the root cause of physical action. Karmant highlights that the rest of the action
is over, and now physical action will take place.
• In the absence of right karmant – murder, theft, adultery, alcohol and drug use

54
5. Samyak Aajeevika (Right Livelihood )

• The fifth part of this Ashtanga Marg is the right livelihood (Samyak jeevika). Along with the
behavior, our production process also needs to be corrected for the right livelihood (Samyak
Aajeevika).
• The methods which we are identifying as the source of income to fulfill the needs of the family
must be with the right means in the right direction.
• Basic Guidelines
Human Friendly – at least not exploiting human beings
Eco Friendly – at least not exploiting rest of nature

• Therefore it is essential to have the right mindset -free from ego while sharing, giving charity

• In the absence of right livelihood – exploitation/harm to others (e.g. selling drugs, cigarettes,
Tobacco), contributing to disturbance of others

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6. Samyak vyayaam/Parishram (Right Effort )

• When we decide to get our livelihood through the right means (samyak karmant), our Sanskar
may not be aligned initially. For that, we need to put efforts from both ends- one is to learn the
right skills and right livelihoods; the other is to correct or get rid of the Sanskars, which are
opposite to right living.
• Making effort for harmony

1. To make an effort to understand harmony, learning skills for living in harmony and living
(doing) in harmony
2. To cleanse/purify one sanskars which are not in harmony

• Primarily for a healthy Self

 To nurture existing good qualities; and acquiring new good qualities
 To purify oneself of existing bad qualities; and not acquire new bad qualities

56
7. Samyak Dhyaan (Right Mindfulness/ Awareness )

• The next step is to have continuous awareness of oneself.

• Here, awareness does not mean remembering the things in memory. It means constantly
observant of oneself and conscious of the self's activities. In such a conscious state, we are
always observant to our goals and try to organize all our activities in an organized way.

• Continuous awareness – about oneself, about the activities of the Self

57
8. Samyak Samadhi (Right Vision/ Meditation)

• The achievement of the first seven steps of this Ashtanga Marg is to ensure the right behavior,
right speech, and right livelihood in one’s life.
• If we follow the steps, we start participating in the social order. By and large, we become
responsible, self-restrained, and self-organized, and expected participation in society is also
fulfilled.
• With these achievements, working in the Self for knowledge and understanding is the way to
samadhi. The final stage of samadhi is realization.
• While working on the eighth step, we see that the more we focus within, the more our vision
gets clarity and the level of wisdom increasingly manifests. With the clarity of the vision, we can
ensure the first seven steps with more accuracy and preciseness. This also helps us to identify
our goals to the point and realize them in totality. Thus, these eight steps are connected within
a cyclic process and are complementary.
• Achievement – realization, knowledge
• Awareness = self-study, practice
• Samadhi = the ultimate state of awareness in which we can see reality as it is

58
Noble Eight Fold Path

1. Right View Able to recognise that which leads to happiness as a source of happiness and
able to recognise that which leads to unhappiness as a source of unhappiness

2. Right Resolve Right decisions

3. Right Speech able to say the right things in the right manner

4. Right Action Right behaviour (mutual happiness)

5. Right Livelihood Human-friendly and eco-friendly production

6. Right Effort Effort for right understanding & purification of sanskar

7. Right Mindfulness/ Awareness (every moment) continuous awareness

8. Right Vision/ Meditation self-study, self-exploration, practice 

to see reality as it is
59
Wisdom (Samyak Samadhi)

• All these eight steps have been briefly identified as the Noble Eightfold path. They are identified as
wisdom/knowledge (Jnana, Pragya), moral values(sheel), meditation (samadhi).

• The first two steps are named knowledge/wisdom, the next three are known as moral values, and the
last three are known as meditation.

• Moral values refer to mutual fulfilment through the right speech, right action, and right livelihood.
Knowledge refers to knowing the realities.

• Finally, meditation constantly strives to achieve the goal through complete awareness. In the light of
wisdom, our vision gets clear and helps us see the realities as it is.

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Sum Up

• Traditionally, the ashtanga way is one of the prominent ways to live in an organised way at an
individual level and participate in the social order.

• Noble Eight Fold Path

• Right View

• Right Resolve

• Right Speech

• Right Action

• Right Livelihood

• Right Effort

• Right Mindfulness/ Awareness

• Right Vision/ Meditation

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 UHV IV
Vision for Humane Society

Module 1: Introduction to the course

Lecture 7: How to live in Relationship

(Yam-Niyam)

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

Last Lecture:

Eight Noble Path

1. Right View (Samyak Drishti)

2. Right Resolve (Samyak Sankalpa)

3. Right Speech (Samyak Vachan)

4. Right Action (Samyak Karma)

5. Right Livelihood (Samyak Aajeevika)

6. Right Effort (Samyak vyayaam/Parishram)

7. Right Mindfulness/ Awareness (Samyak Dhyaan)

8. Right Vision/ Meditation (Samyak Samadhi)

63
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this chapter, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of Yam-Niyam and its
implications in real life.

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Introduction

• Another formulation of living in relationships is based on Yama and Niyam, as articulated in

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra.
• Yama -Ensuring harmony in the relationship

• Niyamas -Ensuring harmony within

• One of the significant observations is that when we discuss or practice these Yama or
Niyamas, it impacts our behavior in relationships.
• When we ensure these at the level of thought, then it helps not only at the level of behaviour
but also at the level of developing the right thought, which further helps us in developing the
right understanding and feeling.

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The Second formulation of Living in Relationship

• 'Niyam’ is mainly associated with self-improvement and self-purification. To be

organised at the level of mind and body. The following five principles have been
identified, which are called Niyama
 shaucha (Purity)
 santosh (Contentment)
 tapah (self-discipline)
 svadhyaya (self-study)
 ishvara Pranidhan (contemplation)
• Yam is mainly associated with harmony in relationships. The following principles have
been identified as Yam
 Ahimsa (Non-violence)
 Satya (Truthfulness)
 Asteya (Non-stealing, abstention from theft)
 Brahmacharya (Chastity)
 Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness, non-holding through senses, non-greed, non-
grasping, non-indulgence)
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Yam (Ensuring harmony in relationship)

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Yam: Ahimsa (Non-violence)

• The practice of non-violence means not to cause trouble/harm to any living being
• In general, it has been identified at three levels -
a) Not to torture anyone at the physical level

b) Not to trouble anyone by word or speech

c) Not to trouble anyone even at the mental level

• The minimum scale to live in non-violence practice is that we should not give any kind of pain
to others. If we place it positively, the message goes to live affectionately with all. At the
minimum scale, it is named as non-violence
• The highest possibility is named affection/love. When we are not violent at the level of speech
and body, non-violent behavior is also ensured. Continuity of affectionate behavior is the
outcome of a non-violent mental state.
• Ensuring non-violence at a mental level ensures a mutually fulfilling relationship with another
human being. On the other hand, it helps us to organize our thoughts and work for society.

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Yam: Satya (Truthfulness)

• The second principle under Yama has been recognized as truthfulness.

• To be able to express the reality or events as is, without giving any color to it from one’s own
side.
• Different people would have understood the reality to vary extents; and their descriptions of
events may also vary. What is significant is their intention to understand the truth and live by
the truth; so if they are living faithfully to the extent they have understood, seen, then they are
living with truthfulness.
• The important point is that we are trying to express things as they are even though there may
be differences in our perspective

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Yam: Asteya (Non-stealing)

• Non-stealing (Asteya) is the third principle after non-violence and truthfulness. Asteya means
not to steal.
• To say the same in another language, claiming ownership of things belonging to others, and
taking away things of others are stealing.
• The absence of such tendencies within one’s Self is called non-stealing.
• In other words, we can say that using only things one has produced or earned through kind
behavior and work is non-stealing.

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Yam: Chastity (
चय )-Right use of senses

• The next principle has been identified as chastity (Brahmacharya).

• This refers to the right use of senses based on understanding.
• Senses- Sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch - these five senses influence our living.
• Right utilization of those senses in a systematic and organized way is known as celibacy. The
word Brahmacharya means to practice in Brahman, that is, to be immersed in knowledge.
• Right utilization of senses:
 To nurture and protect our and our relative’s body
 Expressing feelings
 For the growth of consciousness
 Participation in larger order

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 Yam: Aparigrah (Non-possession)
)
• The fifth principle is named non-possession Aparigraha.
• The tendency of possessiveness begins when we start assuming the right of another person or
things of others’ as our own.
• Non-possession is about not accumulating things that are unessential.
• When we do not accumulate unnecessary things, the things are available for use in society for
everyone.
• We are able to develop the mindset of non-possession only when we have developed the
tendency for right utilization; and sharing that which remains after right utilization.
• The practice of Non-stealing and non-possessiveness enables us to make the right utilization
of things, share things, acquire wealth by way of production or ensure necessary services in
society through one’s labor, thus, living rightfully.
• Therefore, being centered on non-stealing Asteya and non-possession Aparigraha, the mindset
of oppression and exploitation in behavior is resolved.

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5 Yamas (Ensuring harmony in relationship)

• Truthfulness- purification of speech, words

• Non-violence- purification of body, speech and mind
• Non-stealing and non-possessiveness- able to make right utilization of things, share things,
acquire wealth by way of production or ensuring necessary services in the society through
one’s labor, thus, live rightfully
• Chastity- able to make an effort to free oneself from assumptions that happiness can be
ensured through sensations, so that the imagination can be directed toward the right thought,
right feeling, and ultimately, the right knowledge and realization

leads to
purification at the level of the body, speech, and mind, over and above ensuring right behavior
and conduct with the world outside
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Vows of Limited Nature (Anuvrat)

• These five (Non-violence, Truthfulness, Non-stealing, chastity, and Non-possessiveness) are

also called Anuvrats or vows of limited nature.

• Anu = Small, Limited

• Vrat = right choice = Making choice for doing right thing, and Commitment, eagerness to do it

• When we follow these vows in certain places, certain times and with some people, it is called
anuvrat

• Maha = Big

• When we follow these vows in all places, at all times and with all people, it is called Mahavrat

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 Kshama (Forgiveness)

• Patience = Resolutely living in harmony, with perseverance

• Forgiveness = Ensuring that there is patience within and no bitterness, or ill-feeling towards the
other

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Dhrati (Fortitude)

Fortitude = Right, appropriate behavior even in adverse states/situations

• Bravity, bravery is an expression if it

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Daya (Compassion)

• Maximum help to the other in relationship

• Non-violence is the minimum help in relationship

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Ajarva (Non-hypocrisy/ Sincerity)

• Living with sincerity, simplicity

• Free from pride, ego

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Mitahar (Measured Diet)

Right intake, appropriate diet

 Appropriate for the health of the body
 Appropriate for behaviour in relationship
 Appropriate for being active without being lethargic, lazy

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Achievement

• By following these principles, our interaction with others becomes harmonious

• Along with this, the work of purification at the level of body, speech and mind, starts through its
practice

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Niyam

• 'Niyam’ is mainly associated with self-improvement and self-purification. To be

organized at the level of mind and body. Following five principles have been identified,
which are called Niyama
 Purity
 Contentment
 self-discipline
 self-study
 contemplation

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Niyam – Suddhata (Purity)

• Purity - The first principle of the Niyama is purity. This purity is at the level of the body and also
at the level of the mind.

• Purity at the level of the body is associated with cleanliness.

• Purity at the level of mind is being free from mental ailments or ensuring the right mental
qualities. We can observe that impurities at the level of the body are the cause of health
problems as well as unhappiness.

• Impurities at the mind's level also adversely affect our body.

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Niyam – Santosh (Contentment)

• The second Niyama has been identified as contentment (santosh).

• Contentment is about correctly recognizing one’s need for the physical facility and living in
harmony with that much.

• On the contrary, it can be said that the physical facility belonging to the other does not become
a reason for our greed – thus, not taking us towards jealousy.

• Being not free from problems like corruption, theft, etc is due to the absence of contentment.

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Niyam - tapa (Self-Discipline )

• Self-Discipline (tapa) - The third Niyama has been identified as self-discipline (tapa).

• Self-discipline means practicing the realities and living in harmony in one's own right.

• The environment does not influence one, living with self-discipline. We live the way we want to
live (in harmony, in a mutually fulfilling way), not in any arbitrary way.

• In the absence of self-discipline, the environment influences us – and we get pulled and
pushed into it – at the level of mind, body, and speech. We get attracted toward favorable
sensations, knowingly or unknowingly, without self-discipline.

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Niyam - Swa-adhyaya (Self-Reflection)

• The fourth Niyama is identified as self-reflection (swadhyaya).

• At the minimum level, self-reflection starts with reading books about basic, natural laws, and
principles that can help understand harmony and live in a self-disciplined manner.

• These are helpful for self-introspection and self-reflection of our feelings, thoughts, and
behavior to get an idea about how much is in harmony and how much is otherwise within.

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Niyam - Contemplation on the true self (Ishwariya Pradhinan)

• Contemplation on the true self means contemplation of God (Ishwar).

• Ishwar means a symbol of the most expanded humanity with humane qualities and humane conduct.

• It is not important whether Ishvar exists or not; what is significant is whether we can contemplate
that feeling and thought or not.

• Our feelings and thoughts become aligned with the realities when we contemplate continuously. The
continuous contemplation of humane qualities helps us establish our feelings and thoughts.

• It slowly transforms our feelings and thoughts in tune with that form, representing those qualities.

• These five Niyamas are primarily meant to be self-organized. By following these Niyamas, our
feelings gradually get organized. Ultimately, Yama and Niyam can be practiced with the right
understanding.

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Ashtang Yog (Patanjali)

1. Yam how we relate to the external world

2. Niyam how we relate to ourselves, the inner world
3. Asan Discipline of the body
4. Pranayam Control of life force energies
5. Pratyahara Withdrawal of senses from their external objects
6. Dharana Concentration of the Chitta upon an object
7. Dhyan Meditation
8. Samadhi Oneness with the object of meditation (Co-existence)

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Sum Up:

88
 UHV IV
Vision for Humane Society

Module 1: Introduction to the course

Lecture 8: Clarity of natural law (Dharma),Wealth (Artha),

Wishes (Kama) and Liberation (Moksha)

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

Human Goal

• Clarity of natural law (Dharma),Wealth (Artha), Wishes (Kama) and Liberation (Moksha) are
identified as collective human goals.

Right order in which effort is to be made:

1. Ensuring the right understanding of natural laws, at least the thought of it
2. Ensuring rightfully earned wealth
3. Fulfilment of wishes (desires)
4. Efforts for liberation

In essence,
In accordance with the right understanding of natural laws, ensuring rightfully earned wealth and
fulfillment of wishes, ultimately, making efforts for liberation

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Living with understanding of Natural Laws

• Ensuring Clarity of natural law (Dharma) is to understand the law of Nature holistically and live
according to the laws.
• Dharma has been identified as the law/rule of Nature, whose observance ensures the
happiness of all human being, which is human innateness.
• That is, the essential laws of happiness of every human being have been recognized as
Dharma.
• For the self-organization of society, it is necessary to have a solution to fulfil the goal of
happiness for all. Therefore, Dharma is to ensure the laws in a society which are supportive in
the sense of happiness of all human beings.
• It is to be noted that these behavioral/societal laws and physical laws are existential in nature –
not developed in any arbitrary manner by human beings.
• The existence is governed by existential laws; nature by natural, physical, behavioral/societal
laws – depending on how much of these laws have been understood, these laws may be
articulated in words, in a specific language in a certain manner by human beings.
• Following Dharma, that is, by ensuring the wealth and desires with Dharma, it is also important
for all human beings to become illusion-free, to find the all-encompassing solution. This goal
has also been identified as salvation.

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Wealth

• Artha refers to the means that are helpful in achieving the goal.

• Personally, freedom from liberation/disillusionment is the goal of human beings.

• Collectively, the undivided human society and the universal order are our goals.

• All the things used to get them are means (Artha).

• Wealth (Artha) generally means facilities, Physico-chemical goods – which are available to us
from the rest of Nature.

• Similarly, the human body is also wealth for the self. It is helpful in achieving the goal. Apart
from this, a human being also invests his Mana, i.e. his self-activities for achieving the goal. In
this form, self, body, and wealth (Physicochemical things) are our wealth (Artha)

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Wishes

• Human’s second goal is to fulfill his desires, needs (which is in the sense of harmony).

• Wishes (Kaam) refer to one’s desires.

• Utilizing facilities to meet our personal, family, and social needs means fulfilling desires.

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Liberation

• To see the existence clearly

• To see reality as it is
• Liberation being free from all kinds of illusions. It is an effort of every human being and to make
a conducive environment for that, various social systems are active to provide compatibility,
opportunity, means, encouragement and protection. Therefore, wealth, desires and Dharma
are means for achieving the ultimate goal of liberation. The goal of wealth, desires and Dharma
has been identified in order to ensure the goal of liberation (salvation) universally.
• Therefore, the Dharma that we have identified as laws, whether correct or not, is decided on
whether following those laws leads us to an all-encompassing solution.
• In a nutshell, making efforts for salvation while ensuring wealth and desires with Dharma is a
path of excellence.

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Sum Up:

• Human Goals
o Wealth
o Wishes (Fulfilment of)
o A right understanding of natural laws
o Liberation

• Wealth (Natural Resources, Mind and Body)

o Rightfully earned, by the right understanding of natural laws.

• Wishes
o Fulfillment of wishes along with an understanding of Natural Laws

• Living with an understanding of Natural Laws

o Living by behavioral/societal laws and physical laws

• Liberation
o To see the reality as it is.

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 UHV IV
Vision for Humane Society

Module 1: Introduction to the course

Lecture 9: How to live in Relationship

(Non-possessiveness, affection, knowledge, simplicity, and
fearlessness)

UHV Team (uhv.org.in)

Introduction

• In this chapter, we will discuss another formulation of living in relationships in a society, i.e.,

 Non-possessiveness
 Affection,
 Knowledge,
 Simplicity, And
 Fearlessness.

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Non-possessiveness

• Non-accumulation literally means lack of accumulation.

• Accumulation refers to collecting unnecessary items from the perspective of profit and
consumption. Non-accumulation refers to income for expenditure. That is, we produce and
store those physical facilities that we need, which we have to ensure for the purpose of right
utilization and not otherwise.
• Three basic advantages of non-possessiveness:
1. There is no unnecessary exploitation of Natural Resources
2. Things are available for use by others in the society
3. Preservation and enrichment of natural resources

• Non-possessiveness does not mean that we do not use things. It means that we use things in
the right sense, rather than to misuse them
• Even if we are not over-using things, not indulging in their use, and just accumulating things,
then these things are not available for use by others in the society
• It is natural for physical things to slowly deteriorate

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Non-possessiveness….

• To live with non-accumulation, we need to have production of the physical facilities righteously.
• The first step to ensuring non-accumulation is identifying and systematically producing the
requirements according to need.
• The second step is to ensure the right utilization of the produced physical facilities.
• The third step is to offer the rest of the facilities to society for its development.

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Affection

• Living affectionately means accepting the other as being related, interrelated, interconnected,
and interdependent and living with the feeling of the relationship.
• We can see that the other also has the same needs as I have, the needs of physical things as
well as of feelings. The other is also committed and makes an effort to fulfill his needs, just like
I am.
• The other also feel uncomfortable and unhappy when there is a lack of fulfillment, just like me.
• We try to fulfill our needs as well as the needs of others in the best possible manner.
• We can easily observe we are not able to live together successfully until we have the feeling of
affection established within.
• The day we start focusing on fulfilling our needs only, it becomes difficult to live with others.
Similarly, if we look for feelings from others only in a relationship, it becomes difficult to live
without complaint in the relationship.
• Hence, it is necessary to have the feeling of affection to be established in any kind of
relationship.

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Knowledge/ Right Understanding

• With such balanced thought and living, we can self-study and practice for understanding reality
correctly, ensuring knowledge in ourselves, developing ourselves, sharpen our talent, and its
achievement is knowledge (vidya).
• Knowledge refers to seeing reality as it is. We get rid of all kinds of illusions based on this
knowledge. We can see realities in their natural form.
• Presently, we mix our incorrect perspectives, knowingly or unknowingly, while looking at the
realities and evaluating the object on that basis. On this matter, we had talked about how our
perspective affects our perception.
• Hence, knowledge means real knowledge of reality; by understanding / seeing the reality as it
is. We evaluate each object correctly when the activities of the self runs on such
understanding.
• In the absence of this, we keep under evaluating or over evaluating the things. Over-valuation
of things means evaluating more than its importance and purpose. Otherwise-evaluation /
under-evaluation refers to the evaluation less or no use than its importance.
• We are able to see and understand the realities correctly while living with non-accumulation
and affection. That is knowledge.
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Simplicity

• Simplicity means to get rid of all types of pride and ego.

• Based on knowledge, i.e. understanding realities as it is, our living gets self-organised in that
sense. So, living egolessly and with right understanding is simplicity.
• When we do not see, understand the realities correctly, then, knowingly and unknowingly, we
over-evaluate ourselves whereas under-evaluate others. Our over-evaluation refers to
accepting oneself higher, excellent than the other.
• When we live with such an over-evaluation of ourselves, this tendency is recognised as a
tendency of ego. Ego means taking your form, force, wealth and position as superior to others.
• In the absence of ego, our living becomes simple and natural. To live with self-organization
based on knowledge is living with simplicity (saralta).
• Two indicators exhibit the end of pride and ego.
• First, the absence of pride and ego brings a feeling of natural comfort and fulfillment within.
• Secondly, it results in the naturally fulfilling behavior in a relationship in which there is no
excitement, pride, or ego.
• Living with simplicity means organizing every thought and behavior in the light of the right
understanding. Our every expression is established in the sense of right understanding. Being
situated in simplicity eliminates the tendency to consider oneself superior and others inferior.
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Fearlessness

• In combination of knowledge and simplicity, we can see the realities as it is;

• That is, we can see Existence as coexistence and, on the basis of simplicity, our life can be
self-organized, that is, we express coexistence in our living also.
• On this basis, we do not see any cause of fear or problems because Existence is visible to us
as coexistence, and the possibility of such co-existential living is visible to us every moment.
• Natural outcome
Being free from fear within + others are not afraid of me
− Fear of losing ones’ life
− Fear of losing ones’ position
− Fear of losing ones’ respect
− Fear of losing ones’ wealth
• We have a continuous feeling of assurance about existence when, on the basis of continuous
self-awareness, we are able to see that there is nothing in this existence to loose as
 Formation-deformation in going on in the material world
 The world of consciousness is not governed by this
 Whatever is really required for any unit, is always available in existence, in nature, there is no shortage
of it

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Sum Up:

• Non-possessiveness - Non-accumulation, avoiding the accumulation

− Three basic advantages of non-possessiveness:
− We can fulfill our needs by way of the right utilization
− Things are available for use by others in the society
− Preservation and enrichment of natural resources
• Non-possessiveness does not mean that we do not use things. It means that we use things in the right sense, rather
than misuse them.
• Affection-To be able to accept the other as being related, interrelated, interconnected, interdependent, and to live with
the feeling of the relationship.
• Knowledge- Right Understanding, Feeling and thoughts
• Simplicity- Being rid of all types of pride and ego
− Indicators of Simplicity:
− The feeling of natural comfort, fulfillment within
− Naturally fulfilling behavior in the relationship in which there is no excitement, pride, or ego.
• Fearlessness
− Fear of losing ones’ life
− Fear of losing ones’ position
− Fear of losing ones’ respect
− Fear of losing ones’ wealth

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