Non materialistic World View?

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Non materialistic World View?"

Alban Douglas
5 years ago
Views:

1 Non materialistic World View?

2 What is a non materialistic world view? Avoiding material interactions? Avoiding self centeredness? Concern for others => values like compassion, kindness, sharing, generosity Humanistic world view

3 Why should I be concerned about others? Necessary for a Good Social Order < Do unto others as you wish others to do unto you > necessary evil morals of the weak Deeper understanding of human experiences What makes us happy feel good? What do we need to live a good life? In what lies our real welfare?

4 Human welfare? understand the distinction pleasure vs happiness need vs want pleasant vs good Oriental Approach Understanding Needs Western Approach

5 What makes us happy feel good {Individual perspective}? Gradations (a) Indolence Nescience, inertia, inactivity rkefld Tamas Sleep, laziness, delusion, hallucinations (b) Passion Intense activity jktfld rajas sensory pleasures, materialistic achievements, selfishness, dependence on others, alloyed with anxiety bondage nectar in beginning poison at end? Impermanent.. short lived

6 What makes us happy feel good {Individual perspective}? Gradations (c) Serenity goodness lkfrod sattva higher, satisfaction arising from pure mind. What is pure mind? Selfless ness, harmony of thought, speech and action,in dependence..freedom (d) Spiritual bliss ijekuun Beginning poison nectar end Arising from experience of Transcendent Reality Eternal Calm of ego less ness..liberation.

7 Understanding of happiness & its relation with values Tamas => lethargy, intoxication => Stealing, crime Rajas => aggressive competition => hard work, acquisitiveness,unethical practices. Sattva => compassion, loving kindness, joy, equanimity Spiritual =>self realization => serenity, ego-less-ness

8 Understanding needs

9 Maslovian Hierarchy of Needs Self Actualization Love needs Truth Service Justice, Perfection Aesthetics, Meaningfulness Deficiency needs Self Esteem Esteem by Others Belongingness, Love Affection; Acceptance Moral needs Social needs Physiological {Material} needs, safety, security Air / Water / Food / Clothing / Shelter / Sleep

10 Critical comparison of the two models Points of convergence Social and moral needs{ love, truth, service, meaningfulness} Differences Needs not hierarchical counter examples -spiritual bliss {ego-less-ness} not understood fully in Maslovian model Self realization is not the same as self actualization

11 Why talk of Human values? Universal human valueskindness, love, compassion,honesty, Truthfulness.concern for others

12 Why should I be concerned about others? Necessary for my own happiness my own good,.service is MY need Abiding happiness arises from pure mind with its innate characteristics of Friendliness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, Equanimity es=h d#.kk eqfnrk lerk ¼mis{kk½ There is no contradiction between Altruism & seeking my own happiness

13 Limitations of mere intellectual understanding Need for purifying the mind -disharmony between thought, speech and action Inner development

15 Why are sensory pleasures like poison in the end? Transient nature of sensory pleasures Diminishing returns Consequences of Indulgence Aging & Death Illusion of Sensory pleasures happiness or satisfaction Quiet & desire free mind Independent of material interaction

16 Happiness = No. of cravings satisfied Total no. of cravings Pure mind Mind free from cravings Its characteristics Universal Love es=h Compassion d:.kk Joy eqfnrk Equanimity lerk

PERSONAL VALUES Card Sort NOT IMPORTANT TO ME ACCEPTANCE ACCURACY ACHIEVEMENT ADVENTURE AUTHORITY ATTRACTIVENESS

PERSONAL VALUES Card Sort NOT IMPORTANT TO ME ACCEPTANCE ACCURACY ACHIEVEMENT ADVENTURE AUTHORITY ATTRACTIVENESS PERSONAL VALUES Card Sort W. R. Miller, J. C'de Baca, D. B. Matthews, P. L. Wilbourne IMPORTANT TO ME University of New Mexico, 2001 VERY IMPORTANT TO ME NOT IMPORTANT TO ME ACCEPTANCE to be accepted as