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On several occasions, the
participants were asked to write down their reflections on paper and share them
with the group, as a kind of public testimony. The examples below give an idea
of the width and depth of the presentations during collective reflection
sessions and its impact on the participants. The statements have been grouped by
subject.
A. I Need to Change
A
common outcome of most sessions has been a clear focus on
the self as the starting point of any meaningful change.
This realization has been expressed by participants in a
variety of ways with overwhelming humility and depth.
Before coming here, I had never thought about myself. After
coming here I realised my responsibility towards my own
self, towards society and the country. It is true that my
earlier notions were based on an arrogance that whatever I
am doing is right. Not any more, I realise that I know so
little. I can learn from an honest caring attitude towards
one another.
Praveer Dubey
I
now feel that the bureaucratic quality in me was wrong. As
we are associated with development administration, we have
to abandon this evil. We have to work with affection
whatever be the area of work.
Shailesh Singh
After returning home, I shall seek to change the atmosphere
in my family, then I shall put the thought to people living
in my area. There will be opposition to this change in
atmosphere, but I shall struggle with it.
Shrikant Dwivedi
What
am I? At first it is important to develop knowledge of what
I am. Then it is easier to work in the world and take
decisions. I am not the body, I am in the body. The body is
because of me, I am not because of the body. I will be there
even after the body.
Jayanarain Singh
Life
is the result of karma. The human being is free to do karma,
but has no control over its result. Therefore I have to
cleanse my soul and do my karma without attachment. For this
the dormant power of discretion within has to be awakened
and all karma has to be weighed against it.
Vinod Kumar
One
of my biggest weaknesses is that when I am given a new
information or a project, I am immediately drawn towards its
negative or weak points. From then on, there is a feeling of
helplessness and weakness. This tendency has spread in
society too. As a result, we are unable to develop strong
will power and limit ourselves to a narrow perspective. It
is therefore important to introspect to overcome this
tendency.
Krishna Kumar
After the morning discussion, I have come to the following
conclusions:
To do only that work which my discretion judges to be
right.
In the blind race for material development, I shall not
choose any wrong means.
If there are difficulties in treading the right path, I
shall not waiver and change my path
and shall stick to honesty.
I shall avoid display.
Ashok Kumar Tomar
A
person knows one’s own weaknesses and faults, but disguises
oneself to cheat others. But in the process also cheats
one’s own self. In one sense, one is not able to develop
faith and strength of mind to face the truth. Hence conquest
of mind is the highest goal.
Hari
Om
I
believe that the best way to avoid degeneration in values is
to listen to the voice of the conscience. This is because
the truth does reside inside and always stops us from doing
wrong.
Naintara
In
my village there is a public drain running close to my
house, which carries the waste water of several families. If
for some reason, the drain clogs up, it overflows creating a
nuisance to those walking on the road. I complain to the
village head, but the drain does not get cleaned. When I
reach home and I start cleaning the drain myself, some
neighbours join in to clean their side and the drain gets
cleaned. We have to start first before expecting the others
to do.
Gaya
Prasad
B. I Can Make a Difference
The
professional work situation of most participants require
them to make clear and tough decisions regarding difficult
issues. The problem arises when one is part of a system that
expects the person to behave or act in a certain manner, but
the person feels otherwise. I usually begin the discussion
on this issue with the following question: "Is an individual
always moulded by circumstances, or does an individual have
the power to mould circumstances ?"
I have
found a varying response to such a question. Some
participants believe that an individual can hardly do
anything to change a system, a typical response being ‘I
am a small entity in the whole scheme of things. Only those
above, who are in power, can make a difference.’
Sometimes participants put forward their dilemma to the
assembly directly. For example, ‘I have to sign cheques that
I know are not going to the right person or purpose. Can I
refuse to sign them? I cannot afford to become a radical.
After all I have a family to take care of.' Many others
would vehemently oppose such a rationale, giving their own
life stories to substantiate their argument.
It
helps to have a collective discussion on such a subject
which otherwise tends to be very personal. Sometimes there
is no consensus, but it does make everyone think deeply
about their own stance. It helps to make the subject of
values practical, down to earth and meaningful to everyday
living issues, and not something to be heard or discussed
for intellectual satisfaction. The narrations below give a
flavour of the discussions.
There are unseen divine forces. They come to our assistance
only when we create opportunities through our own deeds. In
1975, our house was attacked by dacoits. When they reached
our house, a bullet fired by them injured a person of their
own gang and they did not enter the house. That person later
told that when they reached our house a person came out on
white horse and a big crowd followed him. Seeing the crowd,
they fled. Our whole family is devoted and we offer our
prayers to the Peeple (Tree). This created illusion to the
dacoits.
Suraj Pal Singh
Some
persons are slaves of circumstances, but some are able to
mould circumstances by strong faith and self confidence. By
taking small steps, the self confidence can be gradually
raised for meaningful change in society.
Vijay Bahadur
The
conclusion is that life is not just for a livelihood, but
for making it useful to others. I am reminded of a saying by
Albert Schweitzer: “Do little , but remember, do not lose an
opportunity that enables you to help others.” We create our
own circumstances by our self interest and jealousy. Instead
of looking upwards to the rich, we should look downwards to
those less privileged than us and do a good deed. Our
circumstances will get changed themselves.
OD
Sharma
I
would go to the extent of saying that not just the
circumstances, but there is no such thing or situation in
life that cannot be conquered if a person has strong will
power and self-confidence. True knowledge brings out the
falsehood and enables us to win over it. My life experience
also shows that we must trust God. What we do, has an impact
that affects our whole life. When I was just a child my
uncle tried to kill me by drowning so that they could have
my share of property. I am still alive, but they have died
without having a heir to their property.
Komal Singh
In
my opinion, one should not sign a cheque under pressure and
should face the situation with determination. One should
also realise that no one can kill the person, if his/her
time has not come. One’s forceful personality will give one
the strength to continue moving forward. The person’s self
confidence will grow once the situation has been tackled
with determination.
KK
Singh
In
my opinion a person has two options before him. The first
relates to work that can be done by him and the second
relates to that which is beyond his control. For example, a
farmer can plough his field, but has no control over the
rains. If the farmer does not plough the field citing
uncertainty of rains, he is making himself a victim of
circumstances. To do the best of deeds without worrying
about the results is therefore the best way to win over
circumstances.
Sunil Parashar
If a
person has strength of soul, it takes no time for him to
decide on doing what is right and negate what is wrong.
Obstacles are certainly there on such a path, but ultimately
the goal is achieved.
Sunita Mishra
C. Needs versus Desires
An
interesting reality of life that emerged during the
discussions was the distortion in decision-making by
individuals caused by focus on desires rather than needs.
The facilitating question was this: Why does an
individual adopt unfair practices knowingly ? Some
persons respond by saying that the existing salary level is
not adequate to meet the increasing costs of housing,
education of children or meeting contingent expenditures in
illness or marriage. Others would argue, however, that there
is no end to expenditures. Where does one draw the line ?
This usually led to an analysis of needs vs. desires.
Problem arises when we move away from the spiritual to the
economic basis. The glamour of the material world diverts us
from our real objective.
Kamlakar Dwivedi
We
vainly attempt to justify what we are doing by saying that
we are doing so for our family and children. The story of
Balmiki, the thief who turned saint because his wife was not
willing to be a partner in sharing the sins caused by his
actions, clearly shows that we should certainly care for our
family but by using pure means only.
HP
Yadav
The
second question relating to house construction in comparison
to my colleague who has a very well furnished house is
pertinent. In my opinion, one does need a house to live. But
one should not compare it with another person and make a
three storied house because the other person has made a
three storied house. It should be according to our needs
only.
Akhilesh Kumar
I
can say from my own experience of working since 1972, that I
have worked with complete dedication and honesty. By cutting
down our desires we can be successful without corruption or
greed. By doing so we shall always have enough in our
personal lives.
RA
Rai
Even
after twenty years of service I had savings enough to make a
small house only. I used to be a very worried person always
trying to find ways of enhancing my income to make a
suitable house. Then in one Satsang, I was introduced to the
concept of needs versus desires. I realised that I do not
really need a big house. I decide to construct a small house
and now I do not have any conflict at all.
Vinod Singh
D. We Have to Do it Together
The
process of social change is slow, whereas the social canvas
is very large. No individual or institution can make much
progress unless one can find ways of working together. The
irony is that people with conviction and commitment are
often lonely due to lack of support from their own families
or friends. A conscious effort to create alignments,
partnerships, and a support network is therefore often an
expressed need of many participants. Several participants
have remarked, for example, that as soon as they get back to
their working routine, many issues discussed can remain in
the background and may be gradually forgotten if there is no
method of connecting. A strong need for evolving a network
to continue innovation, struggle for justice, and work with
vision and principles has been voiced in different ways.
At
first we have to create a network among ourselves. It is not
important that we do a lot of work. We may form a few groups
only but they should be of excellent quality. We must then
create a network at block level for sharing of experiences.
We must call likeminded thoughtful people in such meetings.
For exchange of all such experiences, we must create a
district level network. In my opinion this aspect is very
essential, only then we shall be able to give a new
direction to society.
Shailesh Kumar
New
circumstances are born continuously. For coping with them,
we have to strengthen ourselves. For this, it is best that
we get together a group of like-minded persons and tackle
the problems as a group.
Kushwaha
After listening to the views of all present and reflecting
on them, I have come to the conclusion that we have to first
identify the issues at local level. Why and how is there a
problem? How can it be resolved by local efforts? It should
be discussed among people and they should be asked to
cooperate for local resolution of the problem.
We
should involve external authorities or representatives too,
because it is with everyone’s participation that we can make
any programme successful. People should feel that this is
their programme and is being executed by them.
At
the same time there is need for solidarity and continuity.
Issues and circumstances change with time and one needs to
evolve suitable form of communication for the purpose.
Prayag Dutt
E. I Resolve
Collective reflection in a group often leads to synergetic
building up of group energy that creates magical moments of
individual transformation whereby several participants are
inspired to make a resolution relating to their behaviour or
habits. At Manavodaya, several hundred persons have taken
voluntary vows/resolutions before the participants regarding
different aspects of their lives. These have varied from
very personal habits to family level issues and professional
work behaviour too.
These
are serious vows taken before their friends. Some
participants do not take such a step in the absence of a
will to honestly abide by it. Some wait till the last day of
the programme to gather inner strength to do so. I have
personally met several participants after several months,
even years, who have said that the resolution taken then has
become part of their lives. The entire process is a new
experience to many participants. Writing about the process
one participant once remarked, “ It has been very
inspiring and I too have been inspired by the process of
enabling a person to make a resolution by the voice of his
inner soul without any pressure, in the presence of a
mentor. “
Another
participant later wrote, "Although I did not take a vow
before everyone, resolve to dissociate from evil thoughts
and practices. Bring change in them from whatever I have
been considering right habits, company or experience since
childhood. I am impressed and shall learn from your
simplicity and commitment."
Several
participants were deeply moved by the entire experience and
expressed themselves in different ways. One participant who
was the president of an organization made an open confession
in the closing session of the programme as follows, "I
have been leading an artificial life, always trying to show
off my knowledge and achievements. I humbly submit before
everyone that from now on I shall try to be honest and
genuine in my efforts, even if it implies a harder life."
Other
resolutions frequently taken by participants clustered
around the following:
•
Fulfilling my responsibilities of assisting the poor with
the principal objective of social change through change in
thinking.
•
Developing control over anger.
•
Admitting carelessness about time; resolving to be punctual
and make proper use of time.
• Not
using tobacco anymore.
•
Abandoning smoking and drinking of alcohol.
(Several hundred have taken such a resolution)
•
Sharing domestic responsibilities with wife, stopping
wife-beating
•
Ending the habit of taking Paan (betel leaf ) and tobacco.
Here
are some specific examples of individual commitments to
change in thinking and perspective:
• "I
have become addicted to eating a grain of tobacco everytime
people around me do so. They would come to me and put a
piece on my palm. I hereby resolve to end this habit."
• "I
resolve to end the use of tobacco mixed tooth powder."
• "I
resolve not to use abusive language."
• "I
have been getting up very late in the morning. I resolve to
overcome laziness and get up in time."
Every
resolution-taking event leads to the throwing of several
bundles of tobacco, cigarettes and bidis (local cigarette)
that are then burnt away. The participants joyfully
congratulate those who took vows especially those who had a
long past record, i.e. had been a chain smoker or a strong
addict of tobacco. Some even challenge them in disbelief
wanting them to stick to their resolution. The atmosphere
nevertheless is one of looking inwards as the beginning of
the process of social change. Many groups have arrived at
collective resolutions, such as a commitment to work with
honesty and sincerity of purpose.
Steps in Action
The
collective reflection sessions do not have any uniform
method of evolution. The topics picked up by participants
vary according to their interest, background and the group
dynamics of a particular day. The phenomenon of social
change and the need to take definite steps in action becomes
an important concern by the end of a programme. But the
points of discussion and agreements arrived at by different
groups tend to be different.
A group
of bankers, for example, once felt that they should draw a
line somewhere regarding corrupt practices. Instead of
connecting to the issue in a negative way, it was suggested
that it is put forward as a step in action in a positive
way, i.e. by saying that rather than taking from society,
one should give a part of one’s income to society. In this
manner, an important step in action was created. Another
group felt, for example, that the basic step in change is to
do self-reflection everyday. This led to creation of another
step in action i.e. self -eflection.
These
steps in action
evolved by different groups have been put together as an
eight point programme and have now been discussed by many
groups as a composite steps-in-action programme to promote
basic values in living.
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