The Need of the Hour

The crucial need today is to bring about a global revolution in existing ideologies. Let us open a front against corrupt practices and force, each and every human being to observe self-discipline of behaviour conforming to human dignity. This is the only way to bring back the "Golden Age of Truth" (A reference to Satyug of Ramayan Era). Let this be the norm for human life in all fields of activity. This is the path of the true believer-of the devotee of truth, love and justice. There cannot be a greater act of virtue and service to humankind. This is the noble crusade in which “ The supreme Commander” desires everyone to take part. This is going to be the decisive struggle for building a truly bright future for humanity. Wisdom would then no longer remain a utopian attribute of the residents of Heaven of scriptures, but become a reality on this earth in the third millennium.

For establishing lasting reign of righteousness let us plan for an overall ideological revolution. Let us make the responsible citizens of the world realize how they have become irresponsible because of perverted and regressive ideologies. It would require an ideological crusade. Corrupt ideologies can be overcome only by progressive ones. Let us generate progressive ideas on such a large scale and make them so pervasive that not a single living being on this earth suffers from want and misery.

It is a gigantic challenge confronting the entire humankind. Cleansing the minds and hearts of millions of world’s population is not an easy venture. Besides uprooting corrupt ideologies, wisdom worthy of humankind needs to be established to make man liberal and compassionate towards his fellow beings. In order to establish an era of global brotherhood and equality, we shall not only seek willing cooperation of all but also compel by examples the waverers to follow suit.

Where and how should this revolution begin? Who has the courage to bell the cat? For this purpose we would require extraordinarily zealous, courageous and inspired persons, who are prepared to sacrifice personal interests for this noble cause. Where could one find such individuals? Who will fire them with an all-conquering zeal? Who would generate strong motivation and dedication for the cause? In the prevailing circumstances, there appears no other option but to make a beginning with one’s own close associates. In this country (as well as elsewhere in the world) revolutionaries had always, without exception, started their work with a small nucleus of followers around them.

When rishi Vishwamitra had sought the help of king Dashrath against the ubiquitous oppression by demons, the former sent none other then his own young sons for eliminating the demons. Likewise, king Harishchandra had himself come forward to fulfil the wishes of his Guru. Prudence demands resurrection of this age-old tradition. In order to motivate others, one has to put forth our own example as the true followers of the ideals we swear by.

-By Shri Ram Sharma Acharya

The Mirage of Progress

How beautiful and bountiful this world would have been had the discoveries and inventions of science and technology been utilized for the right purpose i.e. for true wellbeing of the masses! 

But alas! The so called leaders of today’s world are obsessed with narrow personal and sectarian interests and available resources are being used inappropriately. 

The result is the present chaos and disorder. 

Be it rich or poor, everyone hankers after the gold of Midas. 

No one is prepared to share, care and cooperate for collective good. 

For personal aggrandisement everyone is blindly busy depriving oppressing and exploiting others and in the process is ever worried, dissatisfied, anxious and perturbed. 

The glitter of progress is only superficial. 

As a matter of fact, modern human society has become chronically sick in body, mind and soul.

Like ghosts and goblins in the cremation ground and graveyard, man lives as a self -created constant and enervating fears and anxieties victim all flowing from a false sense of values. 

Had man appreciated the art and science of rational thinking and proper way of living, there would have been an environment of real progress, happiness, peace and prosperity everywhere!

 In such an environment of love, compassion, goodwill and cooperation, everyone would have experienced a sense of everlasting prosperity and happiness.

-By Shri Ram Sharma Acharya

The Dawn of the Era of Divine Decent on Earth

The past three centuries have been witness to miraculous discoveries in material sciences and application thereof in improving the physical quality of life. Unfortunately, because of their improper applications, many of these scientific achievements have proved to be disastrous for humanity, Consequently, modern man finds himself living in much more distressful and stress-phone environment than his less affluent ancestors. Universal problems like environmental pollution, increasing radioactivity, global warming, nuclear and chemical proliferation of armaments are creating an environment in which the very existence of human race is at stake. Who would then appreciate science and technology which lead to the melting of polar Iceland’s, disastrous upheavals in the oceans of the world, return of the ice-ages and destruction of this beautiful planet by the ultraviolet radiations penetrating through the holes in the ozone layers protecting the earth? It is too enormous a price to pay for the life debasing comforts and capabilities provided by the advancement in science and technology?

Is not it the devilish misuse of scientific advancement and scores of local and regional conflicts which has resulted in two world wars causing enormous loss of life and resources in this very century? Man is today mercilessly exploiting the mineral resources of the earth. He is preparing for star-wars which would obliterate all life on the earth.

Materialistic philosophy of modern society has totally sidetracked the concepts of soul, god, divine-justice (Karma phal) and basic ethical and moral values which ennoble human life. Instant materialistic achievement and gratification have become the sole pursuits of modern man, for which, he is prepared to go to any extent of unrestrained deceitfulness and cruelty.

In the modern society, gross sensuality and unrestrained sexuality are becoming the principal means of entertainment. It has destroyed the bridge of healthy relationship between man and woman. One of the inevitable consequences of free sex is explosion in population which would make it very difficult to provide food, housing, education, medical facilities and other basic amenities for the future generation and perhaps leave no space for vehicles on the roads. This is happening in spite of the family welfare programs of governments. With the fast growing population, there does not appear any possibility of success in the welfare or development scheme of the governments. The fast depleting resources would soon make human beings behave like hungry wolves, tearing each other apart for petty gains.

On the contrary, everywhere today there is predominance of corrupt practices. very few are living a life of peace and contentment. A corrupt practice is nothing but the product of a corrupt ideology and a perverted sense of values of life. The major problems facing humankind today are the outcome of lack of noble ideals, loss of faith in ultimate triumph of righteousness, prevalence of perverted values and dominance of evil urges and thoughts; the roots of all human misery lie in the corruption of ideologies(misplaced values), which have created problems in all spheres of life. Until this root cause is removed, it is futile to hope for universal peace, prosperity and happiness. 

-By Sri Ram Sharma Acharya

7 Point Program - Saptsutri Andolan

All World Gayatri Pariwar is devoted to cultural, ethical, moral and spiritual awakening of the masses.

Development of divinity in mankind is its foremost goal and avowed objective. 

To accomplish this goal it is working on the following seven programs.

The structure and system of human society plays a major role in creation of ideal circumstances for happy and prosperous life on the earth. 

The convictions, traditions and customs of a social system influence the way of life of majority of its people.

It is a general tendency of human mind to adapt to the existing circumstances and contemporary customs and follow whatever appears to be acceptable as the majority opinion. 

If a social system is founded on high ideals of humanity and has maintained certain principles and values based on prudence rather than by rigidity, the mental setup of its members would also be molded accordingly and add to the multifaceted development of that society and its cultural elevation.

Mutual respect, co-operating and peaceful coexistence, sharing of pains and happiness, equality of justice, feelings of sacrifice for noble causes and devotion to selfless service - among the people, are the fundamental requirements for generation of what could be designated as a ”divine society”. 

Annals of human history show that whenever such virtuous tendencies pervade in the social environment, heavenly conditions of life are bestowed upon the society. 

Acharya Sharma has envisaged the advent of such an ideally civilized, cultured and divinely prosperous human society in the new era where selfishness would be completely wiped out by altruist sentiments and every part of our planet will be transformed into paradise of eternal beauty. 

The present volume sketches his optimism and ideas on the possibilities of turning this ’Utopia’ into reality.

1. Sadhana
2. Education
3. Health
4. Self-reliance
5. Environmental protection
6. Women’s empowerment and awakening
7. Deliverance from addictions; and Eradication of evil customs.

1. Sadhana (Personality Development)

Innovative research in deep-psychology towards the late 20th Century has revealed some new facts that affirm some of the principles and values of spirituality. 

The nature of one’s thinking and emotions is now regarded as the basis of his personality development.

Our thinking affects our mental, intellectual and also the physical makeup. 

Psychosomatic disorders are well known manifestations of sickness, infirmities or depravation in one’s thinking. 

Refinement and creative orientation of thoughts on the contrary is found to bring positive changes at the emotional and behavioral levels and thus also improve one’s ability of progressive social adjustment.

The first and most important task for personality development is to first identify and focus attention on the central root that directly or indirectly governs the course of our lives. 

Think and ponder over what really makes one what one is as a person? 

It is the force of intrinsic tendencies of the mind. 

The hidden desires activated by these tendencies drive the mind and generate the corresponding currents of thoughts and trigger the brain for matching actions. 

Although the conscious mind appears to be our decision maker and manager with the brain being its counterpart at the level of the physical body, but the real ruler is our unconscious mind. 

The intrinsic impressions on it are so intense that these block even the voice of the soul. 

So, for self-refinement and self-transformation, it is essential that we first purify our inner self – especially the unconscious mind, reign in its passions and control its wayward tendencies that dominate our desires, thoughts and actions. 

Transformation of the central root will transform our life in no time.



2. Education


The program for Education focuses on both Shiksha and Vidya, i.e., ideal blending of moral refinement and intellectual development with school education.

Param Poojya Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya designed a new school-education syllabus, emphasizing the need of revising the existing system, to make it more rational, dynamic, relevant and useful in assuring a happy and bright future to the world. 

He also justified the importance of incorporating vidyaa in the updated system of shikshaa, and gave practical guidance for doing so at the primary, secondary and higher levels of education. 

He devised specialized value-based syllabus for this purpose, to suit the gamut of students having different backgrounds and mental and intellectual levels. 

The primary and pre-secondary education offered in the school of All World Gayatri Pariwar at Shantikunj, Haridwar, sets a living example of how this syllabus can be successfully implemented with the innovative methods of teaching suggested by him.

The special syllabus and mode of examination of Bhartiya Sanskriti Gyan Pareksha (An examination testing the knowledge of Indian Culture), organized by the mission in thousands of schools in India every year, has been very successful in creating cultural awareness, and clarifying the concept of vidyaa among children.

The progress of any nation is dependent on the fully developed personality of its citizens, of which youth comprise a significant proportion. 

The personality of youth is highly influenced by education. 

However, worldwide, the current education system is not structured to develop the personality of students, and does not guide them towards a purposeful path of life, through which they can live happily and peacefully, as well as be competent enough to fight difficulties. 

In the olden times, universities such as Nalanda and Taxila accomplished the task of guiding students in the right direction, by imparting spiritual knowledge on a practical basis, i.e. how ideals can be incorporated in personality considering the prevalent trends in the society.

Gayatri Pariwar has taken up this challenging task by establishing, in year 2002, the Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (Divine Culture University) – A University for the Cultural Renaissance of the World.


3. Health

Ayurveda (The Ancient Indian Medical Science) is believed to be the oldest repository of diagnostic, pharmaceutical and therapeutic knowledge. 

This Vedic science draws upon an integral approach to healthcare by considering the physical, mental and deep emotional well being simultaneously. 

All World Gayatri Pariwar is conducting innovative research in Ayurveda, cultivation of Himalayan herbs and production of effective medicines. 

Various branches of western and alternative systems of medicines are also being synthesized here.

Yagyopathy (Applications of Yagya for Healing) has been found very effective in the cure of both physical ailments and psychosomatic disorders like anxiety, depression, guilt, insomnia, etc. 

Yagya (A process of offering oblations to the sacred fire along with chanting of Mantras) renews the brain cells, revitalizes the skin, purifies the blood and prevents growth of pathogenic bacteria. 

Mental peace, emotional stability and creative development of the mind are the psychological benefits. 

Yagya is basically a healing process, as is clear from the following example.

                           Treatment of Diabetes : The urine sugar level of some acute diabetic patients was found to be totally absent and the level of blood sugar was reduced to normal just after two to three weeks of daily agnihotra (Yagya)

 

 (From the book “The Integrated Science of Yagya”, compiled by Dr. R. R. Joshi, Publisher – Yug Nirman Yojna, Mathura, 1999).



4. Self-reliance

The one year swaavalamban vidyaa (self-reliance) course and training programs of self-reliant and moral education with spiritual refinement, offered by All World gayatri Pariwar at Gayatri Tapobhumi, Mathura, have been very successful in generating dedicated, disciplined and talented batches of young men and women, who are committed to altruist service for cultural elevation and global welfare. 

The well educated but unemployed youths, rather than suffering depression, and waiting for the government and other bodies for help, may also get new guidance from this kind of self-reliant vidyaa.

Self-reliant development of rural India through Adarsh Gram Teerth Yojna (Movement for the creation of ideal villages): 

Special shramdaan (collective labor) programs are organized by All World Gayatri Pariwar in rural parts of India – including the tribal bases in the interior – for ‘teaching by doing’. Programs like health and hygiene, literacy and reformative activities, and encouraging participation of villagers, are emphasized. 

Community services are also conducted through social functions, and mass participation in agricultural and small scale industry based developmental programs. 

Special emphasis is given to the use of cattle based resources and other local resources.

5. Environmental Protection

The huge industrial complexes, rapid urbanization, deforestation, air and water pollution, ozone-depletion, radioactive wastes etc., have disturbed and destabilized the natural harmony of human, animal and plant life cycles. 

The ecological imbalance caused by these criminal acts of the so called ‘civilized man’ has resulted in a disastrous threat, not only to the human survival, but also to life as a whole on our planet. 

Yagya has been found to be a viable cure for the ecological imbalance. 

Experimental studies have shown that Yagya or agnihotra creates a pure, hygienic, nutritional and healing atmosphere. 

Researchers from the field of microbiology have observed that the medicinal fumes emanating from the process of agnihotra are bacteriostatic in nature, i.e. they eradicate bacteria and micro-organisms, which are the root causes of illness and diseases. 

The following quotes by renowned scientists are noteworthy:

• 'Burning sugar and its smoke has a significant effect in purifying the atmosphere. It kills the germs of T.B., measles, smallpox and cow-pox' – remarks Prof. Tilward.

• A Russian Scientist named Dr. Shirowich mentions –

'if cow’s ghee is put into the fire, its smoke will lessen the effect of atomic radiation to a great extent'. 

The following example further illustrates the capability of yagna in fighting environmental pollution.

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh, India) Gas Tragedy and Agnihotra: The tragic incident occurred on the night of December 3, 1984 when the poisonous MIC gas leaked from Union Carbide factory at Bhopal. Hundreds of people died and thousands were hospitalized, but there were two families – those of Shri Sohan Lal S. Khushwaha and Shri M. L. Rathore, living about one mile away from the plant, who came out unscathed. These families were regularly performing agnihotra (havan). In these families nobody died, nobody was even hospitalized despite being present in the area worst affected by the leakage of the toxic gas. This observation implies that agnihotra is a proven antidote to pollution. 

(English Daily – 'The Hindu' of 4th May 1985; news item under the heading ‘Vedic Way to Beat Pollution’.)

Everyone is aware of the disasters of deforestation. The only solution to this crisis is to create an awareness and enthusiasm in the people to plant more and more trees. All World Gayatri Pariwar is running programs for planting trees in several districts of India.

6. Women Empowerment and Awakening

Nari Jagaran Abhiyaan (Women Awakening Movement) has been an integral part of the social reconstruction program of All World Gayatri Pariwar. Most remarkable has been its initiatives to revive the glory of women from the religious platform. In the Hindu society, where since the medieval times women were kept behind the veil, and were not supposed to chant Vedic mantras, we can now see hundreds of women priests chanting Vedic mantras, conducting all kinds of Vedic religious rituals, and guiding thousands of men and women. Not only that, they are leading many of the social reformative activities of the Pariwar. Groups of women (Brahmvadini Tolis) go to different parts of the country and organize special 3-4 days social awareness programs for uplifting women’s condition.

Women’s education and cultural ascent are given impetus under this movement, so that the better half of the human society can play its role more efficiently and effectively. Several self-employment schemes under the self-reliance development programs of All World Gayatri Pariwar are women-oriented.



7. Deliverance from Addictions & Eradication of Evil Customs


Under the reformative projects of Yug Nirman Yojna (Movement for the Reconstruction of the Era), All World Gayatri Pariwar has successfully worked in many parts of India towards eradication of blind faith, religious fundamentalism, addictions, insane customs like dowry, expensive marriages and funeral rites, etc. Mass awareness about these problems is created by the organization of large-scale Deep (lamp) Yagyas, religious functions and Pragya Puran Kathas (Narrations of the scripture – Pragya Puran).

All World Gayatri Pariwar’s programs for Psycho-Social Engineering include: 

• Transformation of Personality through special educational and Sadhana Satras (sessions).
• Activities of National Reconstruction: Eradication of Blind Faith, Ignorance and Illiteracy. 

• Three months Yug Shilpi Satras (sessions for training Yug Shilpis, i.e. the persons who are capable of reconstructing the Era): Practical training for grass-root work in the rural areas, and for psychological and educational uplifting of the masses.

Following is an example of relief from Drug Addictions through agnihotra: 

     1. An officer, 25 years in age, who had been a poly drug abuser in the past, was selected for the study by Lt. Col. G. R. Golecha, a senior advisor in the psychiatry division of the Indian army. The patient was at that time addicted to heroin for 2 years. He had undergone some de-addiction courses, twice in the past, with no benefit, and had become de-motivated and resistant to such methods. He was then introduced to agnihotra. The practice of agnihotra resulted in improving his motivation to abstain from smack, and showed significant decrease in his urge for it within a few weeks.

    2. Conduction of marriages without any dowry, constraints of caste or community, and expensive celebrations has been a remarkable social reformative activity of All World Gayatri Pariwar. On an average, the marriages performed under this noble drive have saved Rs. 12 billion of the Indian society since the past decade.

Need to change ourselves

As we know, Thought-Power affects our life individually. We can change ourselves by powerful thoughts. When we imbibe powerful positive thoughts regularly, a strong personality will emerge undoubtedly. People having strong personalities can work and live together as a Family with high value. In this process a civilized society is developed. In this way thought power revolutionizes an individual as well as family and society. 

When we remind any revolution in this world, we will find that power of thought has taken most important part of role as root of revolution. Every time revolution comes through the person having strong and powerful thoughts. When the thoughts implemented in practical life through the power of soul (Atma-bal), a revolution comes into light. It affects and changes mind and heart of masses.

The same process is going to be happen again. Seer Sage Yug Purush Pt. Shri Ram Sharma Acharya have changed many lives through his revolutionary thoughts. This blog has the objective to affect the readers through the revolutionary thoughts given by Pt. Shri Ram Sharma Aacharya. All of us should be ready to change ourselves. Certainly the era will be changed automatically.

Six Thinking Hats

Looking at a Decision from All Points of View

"Six Thinking Hats" is a powerful technique that helps you look at important decisions from a number of different perspectives. It helps you make better decisions by pushing you to move outside your habitual ways of thinking. As such, it helps you understand the full complexity of a decision, and spot issues and opportunities which you might otherwise not notice.Many successful people think from a very rational, positive viewpoint, and this is part of the reason that they are successful. Often, though, they may fail to look at problems from emotional, intuitive, creative or negative viewpoints. This can mean that they underestimate resistance to change, don't make creative leaps, and fail to make essential contingency plans.

Similarly, pessimists may be excessively defensive, and people used to a very logical approach to problem solving may fail to engage their creativity or listen to their intuition.If you look at a problem using the Six Thinking Hats technique, then you'll use all of these approaches to develop your best solution. Your decisions and plans will mix ambition, skill in execution, sensitivity, creativity and good contingency planning.

This tool was created by Edward de Bono in his book "6 Thinking Hats".

How to Use the Tool:To use Six Thinking Hats to improve the quality of your decision-making, look at the decision "wearing" each of the thinking hats in turn.
Each "Thinking Hat" is a different style of thinking. These are explained below:

White Hat:With this thinking hat, you focus on the data available. Look at the information you have, and see what you can learn from it. Look for gaps in your knowledge, and either try to fill them or take account of them.This is where you analyze past trends, and try to extrapolate from historical data.

Red Hat:Wearing the red hat, you look at the decision using intuition, gut reaction, and emotion. Also try to think how other people will react emotionally, and try to understand the intuitive responses of people who do not fully know your reasoning.

Black Hat:When using black hat thinking, look at things pessimistically, cautiously and defensively. Try to see why ideas and approaches might not work. This is important because it highlights the weak points in a plan or course of action. It allows you to eliminate them, alter your approach, or prepare contingency plans to counter problems that arise.
Black Hat thinking helps to make your plans tougher and more resilient. It can also help you to spot fatal flaws and risks before you embark on a course of action. Black Hat thinking is one of the real benefits of this technique, as many successful people get so used to thinking positively that often they cannot see problems in advance, leaving them under-prepared for difficulties.
 

Yellow Hat:The yellow hat helps you to think positively. It is the optimistic viewpoint that helps you to see all the benefits of the decision and the value in it, and spot the opportunities that arise from it. Yellow Hat thinking helps you to keep going when everything looks gloomy and difficult.
 

Green Hat:The Green Hat stands for creativity. This is where you can develop creative solutions to a problem. It is a freewheeling way of thinking, in which there is little criticism of ideas. A whole range of creativity tools can help you here.
 

Blue Hat:The Blue Hat stands for process control. This is the hat worn by people chairing meetings. When running into difficulties because ideas are running dry, they may direct activity into Green Hat thinking. When contingency plans are needed, they will ask for Black Hat thinking, and so on.
You can use Six Thinking Hats in meetings or on your own. In meetings it has the benefit of defusing the disagreements that can happen when people with different thinking styles discuss the same problem.A similar approach is to look at problems from the point of view of different professionals (e.g. doctors, architects, sales directors) or different customers.
 

Example:The directors of a property company are looking at whether they should construct a new office building. The economy is doing well, and the amount of vacant office space is reducing sharply. As part of their decision they decide to use the 6 Thinking Hats technique during a planning meeting.
Looking at the problem with the White Hat, they analyze the data they have. They examine the trend in vacant office space, which shows a sharp reduction. They anticipate that by the time the office block would be completed, that there will be a severe shortage of office space. Current government projections show steady economic growth for at least the construction period.
 

With Red Hat thinking, some of the directors think the proposed building looks quite ugly. While it would be highly cost-effective, they worry that people would not like to work in it.
 

When they think with the Black Hat, they worry that government projections may be wrong. The economy may be about to enter a 'cyclical downturn', in which case the office building may be empty for a long time.
 

If the building is not attractive, then companies will choose to work in another better-looking building at the same rent.
With the Yellow Hat, however, if the economy holds up and their projections are correct, the company stands to make a great deal of money.
 

If they are lucky, maybe they could sell the building before the next downturn, or rent to tenants on long-term leases that will last through any recession.
 

With Green Hat thinking they consider whether they should change the design to make the building more pleasant. Perhaps they could build prestige offices that people would want to rent in any economic climate. Alternatively, maybe they should invest the money in the short term to buy up property at a low cost when a recession comes.
 

The Blue Hat has been used by the meeting's Chair to move between the different thinking styles. He or she may have needed to keep other members of the team from switching styles, or from criticizing other peoples' points.
 

Key points:
Six Thinking Hats is a good technique for looking at the effects of a decision from a number of different points of view.
 

It allows necessary emotion and skepticism to be brought into what would otherwise be purely rational decisions. It opens up the opportunity for creativity within Decision Making. It also helps, for example, persistently pessimistic people to be positive and creative.
 

Plans developed using the '6 Thinking Hats' technique are sounder and more resilient than would otherwise be the case. This technique may also help you to avoid public relations mistakes, and spot good reasons not to follow a course of action, before you have committed to it.