|
|
| Knowledge, mural by Robert Lewis Reid. Second Floor, North Corridor. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C. Caption underneath reads: IGNORANCE IS THE CVRSE OF GOD KNOWLEDGE IS THE WING WHEREWITH WE FLY TO HEAVEN. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Few words about what Philselfology means: I have done intensive and in-depth research works based on the
Swadhaya, and could not find an exact name in
English that can give
meaning to it. While calling it self-study, the problem was that
swa in the Sanskrit is for Self and
adhaya is to study. However, it differs from what we know as self-study in English or modern studies and education in general.
As this method is philosophical, scientific, psychological,
spiritual, artistic and embracing many other faculties of
human
knowledge and wisdom, it needed a new name.
After very long deliberation, I gave it a name Philselfology. The
Phil is for the philosophy that is origin of knowledge and wisdom, self
is the main learner inside us, the child within, (In Indian context, the
soul or Atama does not need to learn anything as its beyond human
mind)and the logy or logs is the scientific way for learning anything.
Thus, the word Philselfology is based on the Swadhaya.
I have written more than 50 books based on this concept of learning.
These are in all genres of English, but focus is philselfological, the
Art of Swadhaya.
Its a Vedic term in the
Sanskrit language. The word
Veda has a
meaning, which is Learning Wisdom with observation, and it embraces art
of listening, art of reading, art of scientific oratory, and lot more
that we know as
Classical Music, Dance, Literature, Science, Technology,
Philosophy, Math, and many other faculties of knowledge that are
present in almost all Indian
Schools of Philosophy, Religion, Art, Music
and Indian natural lifestyle in general.
It focus on practicing what one knows and thus follow the two very important theories of learning, living and leaving:
1. Theory or Principle of Induction
and
2. Theory or Principle of Deduction
It helps one to be contributors of knowledge and wisdom, and thus
helps to leave using borrowed knowledge, which we know but do not
practice.
We as the humans are not computers and thus users of knowledge, and
once we learn to be contributors of knowledge, we start to live what we
know. It is said that if one says what one does and does what one says,
that human is a contributor of knowledge not consumer. Thus, it helps to
be a better contributor for greater good and wellness of all.
The following discussion/discourse is about it from the Ancient
Methods of
Self-study and learning that I usually write as SSA
(Self-
Study and Learning), this is also called universal method of
learning:
How does
Swadhyaya show up for you in your life?
What are you studying?
How do you study?
Where is your inner self guiding you to study in your life?
Who are your teachers?
Is study a part of your
everyday life?
There is a reason that we are here in this life now and part of that
is to learn. Just observing our everyday activities and learning from
them Life becomes a classroom. Learning how to look at our hurts, pains
and failures we have to opportunity to learn and change the most.
Sometimes we study more formally such as in schools Sometimes we
study life itself. How do we contemplate our lives? We must create time
for self-reflection. Yoga, Meditation, and chanting reading the ancient
sciptures and wanting to know the truth. Self-observation gives you a
pause between stimulus and response, letting you have room to breathe,
relax, feel, watch, and allow. Items you are pondering may come clear to
you during these times of self-observation. or it may take time for
truth to emerge. Be open and have the spirit of exploration within you.
Swadhyaya lasts a lifetime ... or all lifetimes
Consider the meaning of spiritual concepts – understanding the
underlying wisdom, NOT accepting without question. Expanding knowledge
through reading, pondering to understand the scriptures for observation
of the self in relation to all life.
It is impossible to practice any of the other precepts without this
one. It is taking the time to take ourselves seriously. It is working
with our limitations, our shames, our potential, and going deeper into
them to progress ourselves into transcendence. If we have any
limitations in our body’s, minds, emotions this how spirit tries to get
our attention. This is an inner teaching awaiting us. An area of
untapped growth awaiting us.
It is through this path that we come to union with Godliness.
Guru Gita says:
"Swadhyaya increases inner radiance, mental vigor agility. Its
practice is far more uplifting that indulging in futile thoughts and
unnecessary mental activity or following worthless tendencies.
Swadhyaya embraces all aspects of yoga and grants all its rewards."
To what Miracle of Love by Paul Ferrini says please read the full article at the following:
http://www.lakecenteryoga.com/html/swadhyaya_-_study.html
Curiosity and Doubt as the next part of this article is at: http://teenandyouthinlife.blogspot.in/2012/04/swadhyaya-study-or-self-observation_23.html
Thanks for your time to read.
Copyright by Dr. Harmander Singh-Protected and archived by World_Wide_OCR_dot_com Seal (TM) File, Canada
*
