Values and modernization

Since a last few months, some of the leading national dailies are writing repeatedly about the changing social culture (or lack of it) and a drastic shift in value systems; I have been getting a chance to interact about these issues with close ones within and outside India, so, thought of adding a few points.

In today’s world modernization for some people means- 

• Doing things are antithesis to basic human values
• Seeking relationships without commitment or responsibility
• Deriving momentary pleasures without thinking of the effects
• Doing things that others do to be tagged as 'modern'

Reasons:

• Peer pressure
• Lack of communication with immediate family
• Lack of emotional support especially from family
• Lack of self esteem
• Loss of values
• Endless desires

  Effects:

• Loss of one’s dignity and self-respect
• Frustration  
• Further fall in self esteem
• Unending guilt

These effects could be life threatening. Recently, The Economic Times reported of a mishap that was a consequence of misuse of a social networking site in the USA. The case was- a teenage girl received nasty comments on her pictures by some of her so called friends on that site. Such was the implication of those comments that the girl committed suicide and lost her life. This mishap is not just a case of misuse of social networking websites, but also an example of all the points mentioned above.

Haven’t we seen a lot of Page 3 people ending their lives like this? Though they have all the fame and riches, live beyond the social barriers, yet they go into deep depression and end their lives. Why? Because there are things other than name, fame, money, glamour and short term pleasures. These are- true love, emotional strength, courage, family support, self esteem and confidence in all situations, last but most important, spirituality. If ones value systems are strong and communication within the family is sound, one cannot go astray in any kind of situation or peer group.

Modernization means advancement and not degradation of one’s values. A few examples of advancement- 

• Using a mobile medical van for checking patients and distributing medicines in the remote villages
• Having uninterrupted help line telephones/ call centres for emergencies
• Free education portals
• Reconnecting with near and dear ones across the globe at almost zero cost (I could reconnect with a close friend after 2 decades through one such site:))
• Using a plethora of information on the internet for the benefit of oneself and others 

Values are something that make us a true human being and help in refraining from doing those things after which we are left with a sense of guilt or resentment. So let’s be modern in the real sense with our values intact.

 

Please do leave your comments, suggestions and ideas; and do remember to subscribe:)

Surrender

SURRENDER- is it a meek person’s retreat? NO. On the contrary, only people with great grit and mettle can do it since it takes a lot of strength to surrender.

Surrender does not mean:

• Succumbing to adversities or failures

• Yielding to negativity of any kind

• Not giving our best

• Giving up and living in a state of inaction

• Running away from situations and or responsibilities

I remember a small but significant incident which happened over a decade and a half back. During our B.com II year exams, I did miserably in the final exam of Cost Accounting (my favourite subject then). Obviously I felt very sad because before the paper I expected almost cent percent and after the paper there was a dearth of passing marks too. A friend of mine came up to me and said golden words that I shall always treasure; she said -You did your best, HE will do the rest. It registered in my mind, and I also passed with decent marks. So, the simple definition of Surrender is- You do your best, let HIM do the rest.

The benefits of Surrender are:      

1. We are free of tensions

2. The ball goes in HIS court;)

3. We get what we deserve, not what we want

4. We have the satisfaction of giving our best shot

5. We start living in a state of bliss

Why are we not able to surrender?

• Attachment with fruits

• Attachment with situations, momentary pleasures/ gains

• False sense of doer-ship, forgetting that we are nothing beyond his instrument

• Lack of faith in God

• Lack of Divine Knowledge

How to surrender?

Lord Krishna has suggested the following different ways of Surrender in Shrimad Bhagvad Gita:

1. Forget the fruits of your actions

2. Leave the fruits of your actions to ME

3. Constantly remember ME and do your work

Always remember that:

• A doctor has to give all kinds of medicines that a patient needs, and not what the patient likes, in order to cure him.

• In order to climb the ladder up, one has to undergo various tests. Take all tests with a steady mind, righteous means and stay focussed on HIM.

• If HE can take you to it, HE can take you through it. Have faith.

• A flute gives beautiful music because it is hollow from within. Let us also try to be a flute in HIS hands and let HIM play lovely music through us.

So now, Let us do our best & let HIM do the rest.

Your comments, suggestions, questions are most welcome:)