What to do now (Part 4)

We are in a direction wherein things are to be replaced by robots and systems like Artificial Intelligence. We think, what we are wasting time in, will be done by the system, that can assimilate information better. The system can process all available information in quick time, producing better results and conclusions. Results are better and a lot of time is saved. This freed-up time can be used for more work or leisure. Naturally, given more free time, more is the chance to enjoy life. So, the end result is more productivity and more enjoyment. At the end of the day, we will be more happy. Because we put less effort, we achieve more results and have more freed-up time to enjoy. I sincerely wish this happens! In reality life becomes extremely fast and without leisure or rest for fear of losing out. Humans exist because we forget and rest.

I’m uncomfortable because:  

1. We are not doing most of the work. Someone else is doing things for us. Something that doesn’t have life i.e., inorganic. Life will tend to become insensitive.
2. The system doesn’t loose memory and works relentlessly.
3. Things told to us or decided for us is superior to what we can do and in fact better than us.
4. My output is same as anyone else, no one can be better.
5. That I am smart and I have a slave at my command.
6. Completely devoid of experience and as the evidences suggest works on human weaknesses and negative sentiments.

Suppose, the GPS app we use fails for some reason. Can we find our destination? Earlier, if we didn’t know the place, we were asking people and somehow reaching. We were interacting with people, using our brain, correlating and reaching the place. Now we have a slave, the GPS. We used to go to a movie, come back to find that food has to be cooked and we probably helped our mother to cook quickly so that we could eat. Or maybe stop at a restaurant. But now we order through delivery apps. Quietly slip into our rooms with our mobile phones and eat. We have slaves at our command to do things for us. What we don’t realise is that we are increasingly becoming slaves to the external  (say digital) world.

In reality, we are being reduced to being robots, expected to follow stringent rules, follow dictated patterns of behaviour, attitude of dependency gets better attention. While enjoying that I have slaves to obey my command, I become a slave myself.

We have forgotten that slavery anywhere, in any form, in any situation, for anyone, is unwelcome. Are we not gradually and systematically being reduced to performing like robots; Slaves without rights. GPS fails or internet suspended as happens in many places now; whom do we ask for our rights? Everyone is concerned: my rights, my freedom, my independence, my space and at the same time bent upon reducing themselves to slaves. It is the external consideration that decides how one talks, walks, behaves, thinks, when to smile or not smile and how to be happy and be unhappy. You have no rules, rules are given to you. You ask ‘How are you’ without caring a damn as to how one is, and, ‘you are invited but not suppose to come’. We prove that the boss is always right, as we are so dependent on others, no matter how wrong it is. Naturally, everyone thrives to be happy and the reverse is the result.

Is our education system tuned to address these challenges?

Experiential education is just the opposite. It is I who decides my rules, my behaviour, my thinking, my words, my happiness. I decide my independence and freedom. Dependency is Zero. To the extent that Nature can’t take away my freedom. Happiness is unbound. Even the spiritual and religious leaders of today term this ‘i’-ness as ego that is unwelcome; poor political people and their education policy or system not withstanding. After all, who doesn’t want slaves following them. In part 2 we raised a question, what India’s education policy means when it uses ‘enlighten’ and this the masses should know and that must be debated.

To know what experiential education is, the easiest is to look at the Gurukul system of ancient India. It is interesting to note that there were not many rules to be followed. If anyone wanted to sleep for days or laugh for hours or cry or do anything, was allowed to do so. But there were principles to be followed. The first thing to consider is TOUCH. Everyone was advised not to touch others, even their belongings including dress, asana, shaft and beddings. They believed that everyone has unique frequencies in which they vibrate. The things they touched interfered with one’s vibrations. This interference was not welcome, as it meddled with one’s tranquil self, creating disturbances that were alien to one’s self. This avoidance of touch was not only physical. It was also mental . One was encouraged not to talk. Talking essentially involved a touch by sound. Similarly, touch by feelings, ideas, techniques, practices. The emphasis was creating an ambience of ‘I’, that I call ‘i’-ness. A complete dependence on oneself and deliberate detachment from others; physically, mentally, psychologically and even spiritually. The basic background to these was; everyone is unique, with a unique path to follow and with a unique goal. And this shouldn’t be interfered with.  This sense of no touch is anti human instinct. Humans, naturally tend to interfere with others. This basic instinct was needed to be weeded out. Why?

Because, this instinct to interfere gives rise to the ‘Other’ and vice-versa. This rising of the other, gives one the ability to distinguish. The ability to distinguish is Ego. That the other exists is Ego. If nothing else (anything or anybody) exist,  Ego vanishes, it also doesn’t exist. The Gurukuls said, ‘drop the ego’. ‘No touch’ is a step in that direction. The ‘i’-ness is not Ego. This ‘i’-ness is extremely crucial for spirituality; without this, the spiritual journey is not possible. ‘No touch’ is a step in this direction.

It is this ‘I’ in ‘i’-ness, that experiences. Experiential education is discovering this ‘i’ness, and that what ‘i’ness discovers. Sri Krishna says: Bhagavad Gītā 3.33

सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि।
प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति॥
Sadr̥śaṁ ceṣṭate svasyāḥ prakṛter jñānavān api |
Prakṛtiṁ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṁ kariṣyati ||

“Even a person of knowledge acts according to his own nature. All beings follow their nature; what will restraint accomplish?”

The ‘i’-ness is almost ‘own nature’ or ‘true nature’. The principle of ‘No Touch’ propels one towards ‘i’-ness or ‘own true nature’. So, considering experiential education, what to do now?

Practice the principle of ‘Minimum Touch’; physically, mentally, psychologically, philosophically and spiritually. If one practices, one will achieve it. Krishna says…….Bhagavad Gītā 6.35

असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम् ।
अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते ॥

Asaṁśayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ calam |
Abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate ||

“Undoubtedly, the mind is difficult to control and is restless; but, it is restrained by practice and detachment.”

Abhyāsena means; by repeated and sustained practice. The verse emphasises method over metaphysics: mastery comes through persistent practice, supported by detachment. In the Gurukula, ‘No touch’ was persistently practised that automatically lead to detachment or Vairagya.

Subsequently, we will explore more of this and other principles. We want happiness, not only material indue, this experiential education guarantees.

END OF ARTICLE