Articles
The need of the hour is self-transformation
Today’s world is a world of fast changes. Though there is significant development in the areas of scientific, economical, technological spheres, we find that people are unable to cope up with these fast changes. We see an increase of negativity in “the outer world”, the signs of which are: increased crimes, corruption, civil wars, disharmony in relationships, suicides etc.
We like change but on the other hand in real life, we resist change. The reason is there is no clarity about change.
To cope up with the fast-changing world, we have to bring changes within ourselves. In other words, to cope up with the increase of negativity in the outer world, there has to be an increase of positivity in the inner world. When we aim to increase positivity within us, we shall be safe from the influence of the negative. Here, it is best to use the word transformation instead of the word change.
In spiritual language, transformation means to journey through life towards the better, towards the positive. Self-transformation means doing such action or making such efforts that there is a visible progress or improvement in the way we are able to manifest ourselves by changing our form. In short, self-transformation is the process to bring about a visible change by changing our form (our essential nature). This is possible only through the use of spiritual knowledge, spiritual powers & imbibing the spiritual values. In other words, knowledge, powers & values are the tools for self-transformation.
Self-transformation is related to the aim & object of our life. The effort we put in self-transformation is limited to our aim & object. If our aim in life is a small aim, then we will only transform to the extent of fulfilling this small aim. If on the other hand, our aim is a high aim, then we will transform to fulfil the high aim. So, it is prudent to always aim high.
While journeying through life keeping a high aim, it is bound to have obstacles or storms. However, this should not hinder our self-transformation process and we should keep moving ahead fearlessly.
One main obstacle is the habit of seeing others. Self-transformation is only possible when we don’t see others. We should not see whether others change or not. Nor should we wait for others to change. We should aim to change ourselves first. We should transform ourselves first. Transformation always begins with the self. When we transform ourselves, we can become an example in front of others. Arjuna could hit the eye of the bird because he saw only the eye of the bird and nothing else. Similarly, we should focus on transforming ourselves and then we will certainly succeed.
We wish to see a world that is better, we wish to see a world that is transformed. However, this is not possible without self-transformation. World transformation cannot occur without self-transformation.
BK Ravindra Pai (Bangalore)
Youth life is full of internal & external energy and therefore, youths are dreaming of ample of things that they want to become in their lives. This is a very crucial time for every youth. These days, during their college studies, youths are very much career conscious and they take the awareness of various career options. A best suited chosen career option can become a turning point of such youths.
However, the question remains unanswered that how can I select the best-suited career option among all available with me. This is where character comes into the picture. To define a character, one needs to explore “characteristics”.
We will define here four unique characteristics to fulfil one’s dreams: Clarity, Intensity, Capability and Practicability. Let’s look into each one of them very closely.
Firstly, Clarity means knowledge that means I need to ask myself five questions what is my aim, why I am choosing this career path, how will I achieve it, where and when will I accomplish it. For this, I need to sit, introspect myself and find out the answers from within. If required, I can also consult seniors, friends, well-wishers etc. But, remember, the final decision is mine and mine only.
After getting clarity and fixing the goal of life and career, I need the deepest intensity to achieve the goal set. All of my energies are now fully focused on the chosen path in order to reach my goal. Definitely, there will be obstacles, barriers etc., however, I should not be deterred by anything. There is nothing but energy boosters.
Later, I need to fulfil all the requirements to be capable enough to execute the plans I have set. These demands are both internal and external as well. I need to develop the soft & hard (technical) skills so as to become a complete soldier with all the needed weaponries and ammunitions to fight against all odds and become victorious at the end of the war called career struggle.
Lastly now, it’s a time to “just do it fearlessly”, a critical time to implement, incorporate or execute the plans beneath the light of clarity, the immense fire of intensity and full of capabilities. Grab all the opportunities coming across. There should neither be any delay nor excuses nor laziness etc. Always remember this most important slogan – “It’s now or never”.
Dear youths, wishing you all the best and success that you always deserve. Ultimately, the victory is yours because the time is yours now.
BK Abhijit Patil, IT/Software professional.
जीवनमूल्य और जीविका
युवा शारीरिक और मानसिक दोनों ही उर्जाओं से ओतप्रोत होता है। अत: वह अपने जीवन में बहुत कुछ हासिल करने की चाहना रखता है। मानव-जीवन की यह युवावस्था बहुत ही महत्त्वपूर्ण होती है। आज का युवा वर्ग महाविद्यालयीन पढ़ाई पढ़ते समय ही जीविका के प्रति संवेदनशील होता है और इस कारण विभिन्न विकल्प खोज निकालता है। सहीं विकल्प का चुनाव उसके जीवन का एक सुहावना मोड़ बन जाता है।
परन्तु यह प्रश्न मन में आना लाज़मी है कि, इन उपलब्ध बहुविध विकल्पों में मेरे योग्य कौनसा पर्याय उपयुक्त साबित होगा। ‘जीवन-चित्र’ को चित्रित करने के अति-महत्त्वपूर्ण समय पर व्यक्ति का चरित्र या व्यक्तित्त्व प्रखर रूपसे सामने आता है। व्यक्तित्त्व का सीधा सम्बन्ध व्यक्ति-मूल्यों से, जीवन-मूल्यों से है।
अपने सपनों को साकार करने हेतु यहाँ पर हम मुख्य चार व्यक्ति-मूल्यों का दर्शन करेंगे: स्पष्टता, तीव्रता, क्षमता और साध्यता।
प्रथमत:, स्पष्टता माना ज्ञान या समझ अर्थात मुझे चाहिए पाँच सवालों के जवाब: मेरे जीवन का लक्ष्य क्या है, मैंने इस जीविका के विकल्प का क्यों चुनाव किया है, वह मैं कैसे साध्य करूँगा, कब और कहाँ इसे प्राप्त कर सकूँगा। इसके लिए मुझे कुछ समय निकाल स्वयं से बातें करनी होगी और इन सवालों के जवाब खोजने होंगे। जरूरत पडने पर, मैं अपने हितेषियों/शुभ-चिंतकों के साथ सलाह-मशहरा अवश्य करूँ, परन्तु ध्यान रहें – अंतिम निर्णय मेरा ही होगा क्योंकि यह मेरी जीवन यात्रा हैं, जिसकी मंजिल स्वयं मुझे ही हासिल करनी है।
अपने लक्ष्य को निर्धारित कर लेने के बाद, मुझे चाहिए अपने लक्ष्य प्राप्ति की लगन। अब मेरी सारी शक्तियॉं उसी मार्ग पर एकाग्र होंगी, जिसे मैंने स्वयं चुना है। यह तो निश्चित है कि इस मार्गक्रमण में बाधायें, रुकावटें, गतिरोध तो आयेंगे हीं। किन्तु मैं इन सभी से अविचल रह हिम्मत के साथ कदम आगे बढ़ाता चलूँ क्योंकि मैं जानता और मानता भी हूँ कि, यह विघन और कुछ नहीं बल्कि मेरी लगन की अगन को बढ़ाने के साधन हैं।
तद्पश्चात मुझे अपने अंदर उन सारी क्षमताओं भरना हैं, जिनके द्वारा मैंने निश्चित कि हुए योजनाओं को अम्मल में जाया जा सकें। यह क्षमतायें आतंरिक एवं बाह्य दोनों भी हैं। पर्याप्त मानवीय (soft) तथा तांत्रिक (technical) कौशल्य/कार्यकुशलता (skills) को विकसित कर मुझे एक ऐसा सुसज्जित योद्धा बनना है, जो अपनी इन अनोखे हथियारों को लिए आनेवाले किसी भी परिस्थितियों के साथ दो हाथ कर अंतिमत: इस जीविका-संघर्ष में विजय सुनिश्चित कर सकें।
अभी आखिर में, यह वक्त है – प्रत्यक्ष रूप से कार्यक्षेत्र में आकर कर्म करने का – प्राप्त ज्ञान-नयनों से, लक्ष्य-प्राप्ति की अटूट लगन से, योग्यताओं भरी साधनों से। समय है – रास्ते चलते आनेवाले सुनहरे अवसरों का सम्पूर्ण लाभ उठाने का। अभी किसी भी प्रकार का विलम्ब, बहाना, आलस्य-अलबेलापन नहीं चलेगा। सदा यह नारा कानों में गूंजता रहें – “अभी नहीं तो कभी नहीं।”
प्यारे युवा साथियों, आप को अपने लक्ष्य-प्राप्ति हेतु हार्दिक शुभकामनायें। सफलता तो आपका जन्म-सिद्ध अधिकार हैं ही।
