081-Global Citizen in a Global Era a neohumanist perspective.txt
Dharmadeva
Global Citizen in a Global Era: a neohumanist perspective
by Dada Shambhushivananda
We live in a troubled world in which there exists, among other things, a
sharp clash of world views, myths, ideologies, beliefs attitudes and
sentiments. Opposing narratives of people sharing the same bio-sphere pose
both a challenge and an opportunity. Amidst all these and other diversities,
there also lies in each one of us an incessant urge to discover the
everlasting meaning and purpose of our individual and collective existence.
We, as humanity, can reconcile all of these differences only if we make a
conscious choice to embark on a path that is broad enough to embrace one and
all. A lasting human civilization would then be built on a foundation and
culture of 'genuine love'. In this endeavour, we shall need to harmonise our
unspoken intentions, thoughts, words and deeds - and be ready to be
transformed ourselves - while continuing to sow the seeds of 'inner peace'
and 'collective goodwill'.
Even as early as Rk Vedic period i.e., 7000-10,000 years ago, our ancestors
sang the following hymn for cultivating the spirit of human unity.
"Samgacchdvam Samvaddhvam Samvomanasi Janatam Devabhagam Yatha purve
samjanana upasate Samani vayakuti samana hrdayanivah Samano mastu vomanoh
yatha vaha sushasati"
Let us move together. Let us come to know our minds together. Together, we
may enjoy the wealth of the universe. May our hearts be inseparable. As we
to truly know one another, become One.
A modern version of this hymn has been described in my background paper as
Neohumanism. The basic premise of Neohumanism as elaborated by Shrii Sarkar
is that everything in this world has existential value and utility value.
Our task is to ensure that every entity gets the proper environment for the
fullest expression of its dormant potentiality for the good and happiness of
all. The greatest educational challenge of our times is therefore, probably
going to be:
How to create a spiritually sensitive wisdom-centred leadership? We need to
do this while recognising fully well that we live in a world dominated by
pervasive neglect of sanctity of life, wide spread mutual distrust, greed,
anger and jealousy. The attitude of neglect has taken its toll on inner and
outer ecology and neglect of 'Others" has created a widespread insecurity
and climate of fear. The neglect of value based-thinking and the lack of
spirit of universal welfare is the spiritual crisis of our times. Our
obstacles are both internal and external. Overcoming them will require
arduous efforts to elevate our consciousness, on the one hand and fight
against dogma on the other.
Education is about dispelling the darkness of ignorance. Perhaps you know
that Guru means a teacher; Gu-means darkness and rumeans light. So Guru
means dispeller of darkness. Gurukula is an institution which carries that
legacy of liberating the human intellect from the clutches of dogma. This
cannot happen without struggle and a broader discourse. Neohumanist
Education (NHE) is one such response to the challenge of curbing disparities
and fostering diversities. NHE steps out of the traditional paradigm for
dealing with civic education - i.e. it is not simply a structural response
that involves curriculum, technology and schools. It offers a new deep story
that lays bare some of the dysfunctional myths of the present and boldly
questions dogmas of the past.
Within a broad neohumanist discourse that proclaims the universal love for
all in the creation, we can begin to look at ways of reconciling -inner and
the outer; material and the mystical; intellect and intuition; means and the
ends; social and cardinal values, and religion and spirituality. I propose
that we follow a middle course that will begin from the 'imperfect present'
and lead us towards an 'idealist future'. Citizenship based on a
geo-political feature gains a whole new meaning when it is imbued with a
neomagna carta based on cosmic sentiment binding us to the entire creation
and all its myriad diversities.
In samskrta, we have two terms for history: Itikatha (chronology of events)
and Itiha'sa (learning from the events of the past). As we reflect on
citizenship or civic education in light of the challenges of 21st century
and beyond, may we not forget that we are a fragile link between past and
the future and our choices today will inevitably condition our options
tomorrow. On the one hand, our subhuman tendencies seek to tear asunder all
that is beautiful and sacred; on the other hand, our higher self seeks to
guard us against the evil with a sacred sword of love, compassion and
justice. The wisdom based leadership of today must balance the centrifugal
force clamouring for separateness and individual expression with the
centripetal force that passionately seeks for unity amidst diversities. As
Daniel Barenboim said here in his Reith lectures a few weeks ago, "We indeed
need sensitive talking and painful listening."
I can only add that the fact that the future of all of humanity is wreathed
together will have to be admitted by all one day. May we bring that
auspicious day closer when we can all unite together as global citizens of
the planet earth and live in peace as one human family with deep love and
respect for one another. Let the Invisible shape the Visible with all its
infinite dexterity and may we reinvent our past and co-create a just and
joyful journey into the Glorious Future.