A friend who had just returned from a few days’ meditation camp was gaga about his experience. He was all out to convince me about the value of his experience and wanted me to join him. This was not the first instance. Over time, I have come across many enticing systems with exceptional claims. But this time his pitch was so powerful that I was somewhat shaken. I decided to take up the point for discussion in our weekly meeting.

“In today’s time with widespread confusion and disorientation, a great number of ‘self-help’ systems have proliferated.”

How true it is. I myself have come across more than a dozen systems. There are systems referring to sub-conscious and hypnoses, meditation and prana, with modern names and esoteric Sanskrit names, offered by ostensible scholars and by self-styled gurus. There are systems related to exercises, breathing, diet and even medicines. Each system claiming to be offering the panacea.

“This field has gone far as a business and has become almost cheerfully irresponsible.”

We recollected how many people are seduced with systems offering instant happiness and mental peace. The word ‘meditation’ has virtually become cliché. Almost all packaged with wonderful scientific sounding explanations and terrific testimonials.

“There may be great systems out there but we can’t comment as we do not know enough about them. What we can do is to explain our system.”

We knew that our system originated in 1960s in South America with the teachings of a thinker named Silo. A number of students and professionals, including psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists and a psychiatrist, gathered to study the teachings of Silo and discover genuinely new ideas on the meaning of life and each person’s relationship to himself and his world. In the next 30 years it reached over 150 countries all around the world with thousands of people adapting it as a way of their lives.

“The value of the true Self-development system is in the measure it leads to action in the social world.”

The unique aspect of this system is that it does not propose personal development from a self-centred perspective. Becoming better human being, not for personal gains, – that may be a by-product – but for more purposefully contributing to the society in building better world.

“It is a holistic coherent system.”

There is no doubt about it. It encompasses right from simple principles applicable in day to day life and guided experiences to deep work on profound consciousness.

“It proposes simultaneous work for personal and social transformation.”

By now we have done many practices for personal development and at the same time engaged in self-less work for building better and more human world.

“It is unconditional and open to all.”

I have already experienced this openness of the system where everyone is treated as equal human being. One’s belief in religion, any religion or no religion is a personal choice and does not affect the work. One can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. One may be married or unmarried. One may be a manager or a working as a sweeper. Absolutely no preaching and no imposition other than a recommendation to refrain from consuming alcohol, as the work involves attentive mind and alcohol destabilises it.

“It is based on self-less contribution to others and to the world.”

All the work is based on well-documented material which is free and available to all. There are no charges for anything. All costs are shared by the participants on actuals. Even when we go for overnight retreat, the person who conducts the program also puts his contribution to the common costs.

“What is important is selection, adhesion and elation.”

Amid myriad of systems it is important to select a system for the right reasons – becoming better human being to contribute to build better world. Once selected one should adhere to the system and avoid shopping for and trying out new systems every now and then. Finally, it is important to elate the system to the level of center of our life. That would give a strong foundation and meaning to our life, of making a difference to the world around us.

A realisation was gradually dawning on me that we are in the presence of perhaps the greatest teaching of our time. With that I advance in my journey to becoming better human being.

Further sharing in the next mail.

Parimal Merchant Humanist Volunteer

All the earlier posts are available at the blog : https://parimalmerchanthm.blogspot.com/

Continue reading more about Journey to becoming better human being part- 38