UHVCD – First Year Syllabus
“Universal Human Values – via Consciousness Development”
[UHVCD] – based on Madhyasth Darshan, Jeevan Vidya, Sah-astitva-vaad, Coexistentialism
(Chetna Vikas Mulya Shiksha – CVMS)
3 year, 6 Semester Course Outline:
First Year
Semester-1: Introduction to Coexistence of Living
Semester -2: Basic elements in Consciousness Development, Human Values
Second year
Semester -1: Behavior-centric Humanism & Human Values
Semester -2: Spiritualism and Materialism – Coexistentialist View
Third year
Semester -1: Behavioral Sociology & Human Values
Semester -2: Cyclical Economics & Human Values
First Year Course Syllabus
v 1.0, 08 February, 2015, Compiled by: Shriram Narasimhan.
Semester 1:
“Introduction to Coexistence of Living” –
Total:60 hours
Objective:Introduction to the concept of Coexistence & Harmony and the need for having Understanding (samajhdari) for ensuring human values & ethics
Unit I:Course Introduction – Need, Basic Guidelines, Content and Process for Value Education
6 lecture hours
- Understanding the need, basic guidelines, content and process for Value Education & Right Understanding
- Exploration or Study –what is it? – its content and process; ‘Natural Acceptance’ and Experiential Validation- as the mechanism for self exploration. Understanding of the process of Scrutiny, Observation & Survey.
- Continuous Happiness and Prosperity- A look at basic Human Aspirations
- Right understanding, Relationship and Physical Facilities- the basic requirements for fulfillment of aspirations of every human being with their correct priority
- Understanding Happiness and Prosperity correctly- A critical appraisal of the current scenario
- Method to fulfill the above human aspirations: understanding and living in harmony at various levels
Unit II:Understanding Harmony in the Human Being – Harmony in Myself
10 lecture hours
- Understanding human being as a co-existence of the sentient ‘Self’ and the material ‘Body’
- Understanding the needs of Self (‘jeevan’) and ‘Body’ – Happiness (sukh) & Physical Facility (bhoutik suvidha)
- Understanding the Body as an instrument of ‘Self’ (‘jeevan’ being the doer, seer and enjoyer)
- Understanding the characteristics and activities of ‘Self’ (jeevan) and harmony in ‘Self’
- Understanding the harmony of ‘Self’ (jeevan) with the Body: Sanyam and Swasthya; correct appraisal of Physical needs, meaning of Prosperity in detail
- Programs to ensure Regulation & Health [Sanyam and Swasthya]
Unit III Understanding Harmony in the Family – Harmony in Human-Human Relationship
14 lecture hours
- Understanding harmony in the Family- the basic unit of human interaction
- Understanding the 7 Universal human relationships: Husband-Wife, Son-Daughter, Brother-Sister, Friends, Teacher-Student, Colleague-Co-Worker & Organizational relationships
- Understanding values in human-human relationship; meaning of Justice (Nyaya) and program for its fulfillment to ensure Mutual-fulfillment (Ubhay-tripti);
- Trust (Vishwas) and Respect (Samman) as the foundational values of relationship
- Understanding the meaning of Vishwas; Difference between intention and competence
- Understanding the meaning of Samman, Difference between respect and differentiation; the other salient values in relationship
- Introduction to 9 established-values and 9 expressed values in Human Relationships
Unit IV – Understanding Harmony Society- Harmony in Social Relationship
10 lecture hours
- Understanding the harmony in the society (society being an extension of family): Resolution, Prosperity, Trust and co-existence (Samadhan, Samridhi, Abhay, Sah-astitva) as comprehensive Human Goals
- Understanding of the 5 dimensions of:
- Education-Right values
o Consciousness development based value education to ensure right understanding in every individual/child
- Health-Discipline
o For nurturing and maintaining the body
- Production-Work
o Fulfill material needs of the family (producing in line with principles in nature)
- Exchange-Storage
o Fulfill Material needs (based on mutual fulfillment and not exploitation)
- Justice-Security
o To protect ‘human-ness’ and enrichment of the entire Nature (co-existence with nature)
Visualizing a universal harmonious order in society- Undivided Society (AkhandSamaj), Universal Order (SarvabhaumVyawastha )- from family to world family!
Unit V: Understanding Harmony in Nature and Existence – Whole existence as Co-existence
10 lecture hours
- Understanding the harmony in the Nature: Material Order, Bio (pranic) Order, Animal Order and Human Order.
- Interconnectedness and mutual fulfillment among the four orders of nature- recyclability and self-regulation in nature
- Understanding Existence as Co-existence (Sah-astitva) of mutually interacting units in all-pervasive space
- Holistic perception of harmony at all levels of existence
Unit VI: Implications of the above Holistic Understanding of Harmony on Ethics
10 lecture hours
- Natural acceptance of Universal Human Values
- Definitiveness of Ethical Human Conduct
- Ability to identify the scope and characteristics of people-friendly and eco-friendly production systems, technologies and models
- Strategy for transition from the present state to Universal Human Order: Discussion
- Need for Consciousness Development to ensure Human-Values and living in ‘Human-Consciousness’ [UHVCD]
- Need for Study/ adhyayan to ensure Consciousness Development
Semester 2:
“Basic elements in Consciousness Development, Human Values” –
Total:60 hours
Objective: Exposure to fundamental elements of understanding and knowledge (of Self, Existence and Humane conduct)
Unit I: Need for Knowledge 5 lecture hours
Recap of learning’s from First Semester discussions at all Levels of Living:
o In Individual
o In Family
o In Society
o In Nature
- Establish the need for Right Understanding or Knowledge
o Resolution, Right Understanding = Happiness = Fundamental need of the Human Being
- Resolution = Knowledge
- Knowledge =
o Knowledge of holistic-view of Self (jeevan) [jeevan-gyan]
o Knowledge of holistic-view of Existence (Nature) [astitv-darshan-gyaan]
o Knowledge of complete-humane conduct [manviyata-purna-aacharan gyaan]
Unit II: Knowledge of holistic-view of Self (jeevan) [jeevan-gyan]
20 lecture hours
- Recap of human being as a co-existence of the sentient ‘Self’(‘jeevan’) and the material ‘Body’
- Exercise on Differences in ‘Self’(‘jeevan’) and Body on the basis of
o Needs
o Fulfilled by
o Nature of Activities (Conscious & Material) [jad aur chaitanya]
o Knowing, Assuming, Recognizing and Fulfilling (janana, manana, pehchana, nirvah karna)
- Discussion of activity of ‘Imagination’ or kalpanashilta in ‘Self’(‘jeevan’)
- Discussion of 4.5 activities in ‘Self’(‘jeevan’)
o Tasting & Selection [aswadan-chayan]
o Weighing and Analysis [tulan-vishleshan]
o Imaging [chitran]
- Discussion of Expectation, Thoughts and Desires (asha – vichar- ichha)
- Discussion on various Desires and Thoughts and how they are coming from beliefs and pre-conditioning
- Analysis of Desires as coming from beliefs (manyata) or sensations (samvedana)
- Discussion on the reasons for the above
- Introduction of perspectives of likes-health-profit [priya-hit-labh]
- Establishing perspectives of likes-health-profit [priya-hit-labh] as the reasons for current problems and unhappiness at all levels of living
- Need to move from ‘animal-consciousness’ to ‘human consciousness’
- Way to move as focusing on the perspectives of justice-religion-truth [nyaya-dharma-satya] & discussion on the same
- Discussion on the dormant 5 activities of: contemplation, comprehension, determination, realization and evidencing (chintan, bodh, sankalp, anubhav, pramaan)
Unit III: Knowledge of holistic-view of Existence (Nature) [astitv-darshan-gyaan]
15 lecture hours
o Introduction to Existence as Coexistence (astitva sah-astitva hai) as conscious and material (chaitanya evam jad) units saturated in void, or space – Each unit of matter is saturated in omnipresent reality.
o Discussion on meaning of soaked, immersed and ecompassed (bhiga, duba, ghira)
o Introduction to Effort, Motion and Result (shram, gati, parinam)
- Fullness in Nature
o Material order: Full of Energy, is active
o Bio order: Full of Energy, is active, has pulse
o Animal order: Full of Energy, is active, has pulse, full of hope to live.
o Knowledge order:Full of energy, is active, has pulse, full of hope to live, full of knowledge
- The Four Evolution Stages in Existence
o Material order (material nature)
o Bio order (material nature)
o Animal order (conscious nature)
o Knowledge order (conscious nature)
- Material nature is active and can have pulse.
- Conscious nature is full of consciousness – i.e. animal consciousness or human consciousness.
- Progression in Existence (vikaskram, vikas, jagritikram, jagriti)
o In the course of evolution in matter’s configuration (atomic configuration) there are many statuses as ‘results’ – each with its usefulness and complementariness (interdependence), orderly with its essence and participating in universal order (harmony) of existence
o Coexistence is always in effect, this is the cause of matter having innate direction towards perfection, which manifests as evolution – atoms in solid and gaseous states, many kinds of molecules. Upon Earth’s becoming enriched thus tendency of uniting to form compounds spontaneously emerges in these atoms, which results in evolution of the world of chemicals (bases, acids, proteins, hormones).
o Upon becoming enriched with four fundamental chemical elements (acid, base, protein, hormone), bio order evolves on an Earth. Bio order has cyclicality (tradition) by way of seed heredity. This (cycle of seed-tree-soil-seed) itself is bio order
o Upon fulfilment of bio order (as numerous kinds of vegetations) their remains (like rotten leaves, wood etc) give rise to the world of insects.
o Development in Atom = Configurationally Perfect Atom = Jeevan (conscious status)
o The world of insects gives rise to the world of egg-born.
o Many egg-born species evolve by way of qualitative refinement. Each specie gives evidence of its usefulness and complementariness (interdependence).
o Qualitative refinement in world of egg-born of bio order results in evolution of species that give birth to live offspring after gestation inside their own bodies.
o Egg-born species are terrestrial, aquatic, or aerial. Species that give birth to live offspring upon gestation inside their own bodies could also be terrestrial, aquatic or aerial – but most of them are terrestrial. Each of these species evolved and established their usefulness and complementariness (interdependence) with others.
o Qualitative refinement in these species resulted in evolution of human body.
- Human being is a combined form of jeevan and body. When humans went about recognizing one another assuming themselves to be body, humans became divided based on differences in their skin colour and (assumed) racial origins. While in reality human body is only of one type. Human race is one.
- Humans became capable of recognizing the fact of their racial oneness only after 20th century. As its evidence, human focussed contemplation came about as Madhyasth Darshan (Sah-astitva-vad) only in 20th century.
- Human focussed contemplation knowledge based on existence itself is manifestation of coexistence, as: –
o Holistic view of Existence
o Knowledge of Jeevan
o Knowledge of Perfectly Humane Conduct
- Introduction to 4 dimensions to every unit: Appearance, Qualities, Characteristics and Religion (rup, gun, swabhav, dharm)
Unit IV: Knowledge of complete-humane conduct [manviyata-purna-aacharan gyaan]
20 lecture hours
- In Jeevan Vidya, the first proposition for study is – “Only Jeevan is in the seer status in existence”.
o The “seer status” of jeevan evolves till natural evidence of “awakening” is accomplished (in humankind).
- Critical examination of how humankind became communally fragmented in its history till 20th century
- Rise of individualism and communalism
- This critique to be followed by imparting understanding that “a communal fragment is not society and society is not communal fragment”.
- Human being is a harmony with (intrinsic nature of) humaneness and it is with humaneness that a human being becomes capable of participating in universal order (of existence).
- Having understood Existence and the nature of the Conscious unit, or Self (Jeevan), we understand our relationship with every unit in Existence & live accordingly, in the form of complete-Human Conduct, via Wisdom (vivek).
o When a human being has knowledge, he desires, thinks and behaves according to that knowledge. This knowledge is based on existence, on reality; hence human living becomes based on a definite meaning and understanding, leading to a definite human conduct. On the basis of this knowledge, the human is able to clearly identify the ‘values in living‘ as his ‘participation in the larger orderliness
o Consequently, all his thoughts and imagination become in accordance with these ‘values’ and he expresses his understanding via these ‘values’ with other humans as well as nature. Therefore to live with these values becomes natural for him and to live otherwise becomes unnatural. On the basis of this he is able to live with satisfaction in the self and have mutually satisfying relationships: with other humans and with ‘nature’. This itself is ‘justice’ & fulfillment in relationships.
- This prepares the ground for Human tradition via education. Human beings can thus have definite conduct. Complete-Humane Conduct comprises of:
- First – values [mulya] 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’.
- Second – humane-character [charitra] 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.
- Third – we realize ethics [naitikta] when we rightly-use and protect our resources (body, mind, and wealth).
- 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. There 30 Universal Human Values:
- Values:
-
- Values [mulya]
- Character [charitra]
- Ethics [naitikta]
o 4 ‘Values in the Self’ (Conscious unit, Jeevan):Happiness, Peace, Satisfaction, Bliss
o 6 ‘Human Values’: Steadfastness, Courage, Generosity and Kindness, Graciousness, Compassion
o 18 ‘Relationship Values’ – Gratitude- Gentleness, Glory- Simplicity, Reverence- Sacredness, Love- Oneness, Trust- Interdependence, Guidance- Naturalness, Motherliness- Generosity, Respect- Heartiness, Affection- Dedication
37. Character: [charitra]
o Living with acceptance for ‘social laws’ itself manifests as ‘character’ while living in human-society.
- Righteous Wealth: Wealth acquired by means of:
-
- (a) Fruit of efforts employed on nature
- (b) Gift from someone
- (c) Award given (without asking or expectation) for services rendered in society
- Righteous Marital relationship (Husband/Wife)
-
- Fidelity in Marital relationship: in Words, Thought & Deeds
- Kindness in Work and behavior:
-
- Not intruding in the others progress. Recognition of complementariness.
41.Ethics [neeti]
- Essence of Ethics is deploying one’s resources (body, mind, and wealth) for purposefulness. This is called right-use. Right-use is in two aspects:
- Religious Ethics (Ethics of Religion, Dharma)
- State Ethics (Ethics of State, Rajya)
- 7 Basic Human Relations
-
- Right-use of one’s resources: Body, Mind (conscious aspect), and Wealth.
-
- Protection of one’s resources: Body, Mind (conscious-aspect), and Wealth
o Father-Mother
o Son-Daughter
o Brother-Sister
o Teacher-Disciple
o Guide-Assistant
o Friend-Friend
o Husband-Wife
- Relations with Rest of Nature
o Relation with Material Order
o Relation with Bio Order
o Relation with Animal Order
- Characterization of Undivided Society
- Clear understanding of five dimensions of human made order.
- Education and Values
- Justice and Conservation
- Production and Work
- Exchange and Reserve
- Education and Discipline
-
Study the vision of Ten Staged Universal Order.
- The vision of Human being as an individual
- Full of resolution
- Full of awakening
- The vision of human being at the level of family
- Full of resolution
- Full of prosperity
- The vision of human being at the level of undivided society
- Resolution, Prosperity, Fearlessness (Trust), Coexistence
- Human race is one. Human religion is one.
- Imparting understanding about living with all round resolution as essence of undivided society. Human Religion = Happiness = Resolution, while Problems = Misery
- Imparting the understanding of the working of ten-staged universal 0rder, the process of selection of public representatives, and their participating in family councils.
Course Books:
– Introductory Collection, Adhyayan Bindu & Jeevan Vidya an Introduction: { Parichaytmak Sankalan, Jeevan Vidya ek Parichay } – Madhyasth Darshan, Sah-astitva-vaad (Coexistentialism) by A Nagraj, Jeevan Vidya Prakashan, Amarkantak, India
Reference Books:
– Holistic-view of Human Behavior, Human Work, Human Practice & Human Realization: { Vyawhaar Darshan, Abhyas Darshan, Karm Darshan, Anubhav Darshan } – by A Nagraj, Jeevan Vidya Prakashan, Amarkantak, India
Additional Reading
- Story of Stuff, www.storyofstuff.com, USA
- Al-Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, Paramount Classics, USA
- Modern Technology – the Untold Story – IIT Delhi
- E.F. Schumacher, 1973, Small is Beautiful; a study of economics as if people mattered, Blond & Briggs, Great Britain
- Susan George, 1976, How the other half Dies, Penguin Press, Reprinted 1986, 1991
- Ivan Illich, 1974, Energy& Equity, The Trinity Press, Worcester, and Harper Collins, USA
- Donella H. Meadows, Dennis L. Meadows, Jorgen Randers, William W. Behrens III,1972, Limits to Growth – Club of Rome’s report, Universe Books, UK & USA
- Co-existentialism website at www.coexistence.info, www.madhyasth-darshan.info
[ More in this Section]
Alternative content, process & outcomes of Education
In Existing Schools – humanization of education
Human Values courses in Higher Education
Allied Human values courses (HVPE) – experiments in professional courses
Where we work: our current reach in Education
