Learning

Swadhyaya: Study or Self Observation - A Unique Approac

Posted April 17, 2012 by Dr. Harmander Singh in Culture & Civilization, Education, Psychology, Counseling, Learning, Study Skills

Swadhyaya: Study or Self Observation - A Unique Approach for All Alike Philselfologically

I have done intensive and in-depth research works based on the Swadhaya, and could not find an exact name in English that can give meaning to it. While calling it self-study, the problem was that swa in the Sanskrit is for Self and adhaya is to study. However, it differs from what we know as self-study in English or modern studies and education in general.

As this method is philosophical, scientific, psychological, spiritual, artistic and embracing many other faculties of human knowledge and wisdom, it needed a new name.

After very long deliberation, I gave it a name Philselfology. The Phil is for the philosophy that is origin of knowledge and wisdom, self is the main learner inside us, the child within, (In Indian context, the soul or Atama does not need to learn anything as its beyond human mind)and the logy or logs is the scientific way for learning anything.

Thus, the word Philselfology is based on the Swadhaya.

I have written more than 50 books based on this concept of learning. These are in all genres of English, but focus is philselfological, the Art of Swadhaya.

Its a Vedic term in the Sanskrit language. The word Veda has a meaning, which is Learning Wisdom with observation, and it embraces art of listening, art of reading, art of scientific oratory, and lot more that we know as Classical Music, Dance, Literature, Science, Technology, Philosophy, Math, and many other faculties of knowledge that are present in almost all Indian Schools of Philosophy, Religion, Art, Music and Indian natural lifestyle in general.

It focus on practicing what one knows and thus follow the two very important theories of learning, living and leaving:

1. Theory or Principle of Induction

and

2. Theory or Principle of Deduction

It helps one to be contributors of knowledge and wisdom, and thus helps to leave using borrowed knowledge, which we know but do not practice.

We as the humans are not computers and thus users of knowledge, and once we learn to be contributors of knowledge, we start to live what we know. It is said that if one says what one does and does what one says, that human is a contributor of knowledge not consumer. Thus, it helps to be a better contributor for greater good and wellness of all.

The following discussion/discourse is about it from the Ancient Methods of Self-study and learning that I usually write as SSA (Self-Study and Learning), this is also called universal method of learning:

How does Swadhyaya show up for you in your life?

What are you studying?

How do you study?

Where is your inner self guiding you to study in your life?

Who are your teachers?

Is study a part of your everyday life?

There is a reason that we are here in this life now and part of that is to learn. Just observing our everyday activities and learning from them Life becomes a classroom. Learning how to look at our hurts, pains and failures we have to opportunity to learn and change the most.

Sometimes we study more formally such as in schools Sometimes we study life itself. How do we contemplate our lives? We must create time for self-reflection. Yoga, Meditation, and chanting reading the ancient sciptures and wanting to know the truth. Self-observation gives you a pause between stimulus and response, letting you have room to breathe, relax, feel, watch, and allow. Items you are pondering may come clear to you during these times of self-observation. or it may take time for truth to emerge. Be open and have the spirit of exploration within you.

Swadhyaya lasts a lifetime ... or all lifetimes

Consider the meaning of spiritual concepts – understanding the underlying wisdom, NOT accepting without question. Expanding knowledge through reading, pondering to understand the scriptures for observation of the self in relation to all life.

It is impossible to practice any of the other precepts without this one. It is taking the time to take ourselves seriously. It is working with our limitations, our shames, our potential, and going deeper into them to progress ourselves into transcendence. If we have any limitations in our body’s, minds, emotions this how spirit tries to get our attention. This is an inner teaching awaiting us. An area of untapped growth awaiting us.

It is through this path that we come to union with Godliness.

Guru Gita says:

Swadhyaya increases inner radiance, mental vigor agility. Its practice is far more uplifting that indulging in futile thoughts and unnecessary mental activity or following worthless tendencies. Swadhyaya embraces all aspects of yoga and grants all its rewards.

Miracle of Love by Paul Ferrini says:

The purpose of your journey here is to discover the Self and leave the persona behind. You are here to find out that the Source of love lies within your own consciousness. You donot have to seek love outside of yourself. Indeed, the very act of seeking it in the world will prevent you from recognizing it with yourself. And if you can’t find love within, you will never be able tofind it in others. You can’t see the light in others until you see it in yourself. Once you see it in yourself, ther is no one in whom you don not see the light. It does not matter if they see it or not. You know it’s there. And it is the light you address when you speak to them.

(With thanks from the source: http://www.lakecenteryoga.com/html/swadhyaya_-_stu... )

Tags: self-study, learning, study skills, healthy thoughts, counseling, self - improvement, self-development, science, technology, creativity, work

Afternoon Naps Are Good for Learning: An Article for Me

Posted April 1, 2012 by Dr. Harmander Singh in Education, Mind, Learning, Study Skills, Counseling

Afternoon Naps Are Good for Learning: An Article for Mental Health by Psychology Expert Carol Roach

New research is breaking the old paradigm that people who do sleep in school don’t learn in schools. It turns out that these people who are accused of dozing in class actually learn better by having that little snooze. According to a recent study a little nap is good for consolidating memory.

Pay attention; those words rang oh true for so many students who were caught dozing off in the classroom. Young students were punished for sleeping in the classroom. Parents were called to the school or notes sent home saying the child was inattentive and many parents were told they were not parenting properly. These kids needed to get more sleep at home, to go to bed at a decent hour, and it was the parent’s responsibility to make sure this was done.

The current feeling is that lack of sleep prevents students from learning. Now there is new research which may change the thinking of a lot of professionals, psychologists and educators alike. Some researchers at the University of Notre Dame maintain that a short nap after learning may actually enhance new learning.

The psychologist and her team studied university students who maintained at least six hours of sleep each night. They were tested on their ability to recall facts and events (declarative memory) and their ability to remember world facts (semantic memory). The results showed that they scored better after a fresh night’s sleep then they did when tested after being awake all day. They also found that students remembered the material easier directly after having a short nap...

Please read the full article at Knoji Knowledge Network: http://psychology1.knoji.com/afternoon-naps-are-go...

9 Rules of Human Nature that Apply to Work by Alexandra

Posted February 5, 2012 by Dr. Harmander Singh in Business, Learning, Counseling

9 Rules of Human Nature that Apply to Work by Alexandra Levit

It’s no secret that career success often depends on the quality of the relationships you develop with your managers and co-workers. Although office personalities vary considerably, there are certain rules that always apply because we are all human. Here are 9 to keep in mind as you strive to lead, influence, and collaborate with people at work.

1. We always want more

As human beings, we are usually not comfortable with our current level of achievement. Once we attain success in some fashion, we scarcely take the time to celebrate before moving on to the next big thing. And when it comes to job satisfaction, we want what we don’t have. For example, employees in big business want to become free-spirited entrepreneurs, while many entrepreneurs wish for the security of a full-time job. Give us the freedom to try other things so we see why our situation is so great.

2. Everyone wants to feel valued

We want to feel like we are making a contribution to the organization, that our work is making the world a better place. Even if the job is to put the wrappers on chewing gum, we need to understand the big picture and why our role is critical to the company’s success. Tell us.

3. People want to talk about themselves

Human beings are self-absorbed by nature, so when you encourage us to tell you about our family, our hobbies, and our pet projects, we feel closer to you. If you want to build strong relationships, remember birthdays and children’s names.

4. People want to be part of a group

We are a social species, and we want to fit it at all costs. We may even sacrifice our own ideals for this privilege, hence what is known as mob mentality. Gain broad support for your projects by rallying colleagues to your side.

5. We might want to help you, but we still want something in return

Most humans do genuinely want to assist others, but the part of us that looks after #1 first is alive and well. If we’re being honest, most of us will admit that when we do someone a favor, we expect to reap the benefits at some point in the future. Try to do your share even if no one is asking.

6. We want to take action

Although human beings are not huge fans of change, we’re also not content with the status quo. If things are too peaceful, we get bored and want to shake things up a little, and in times of uncertainty, we want to do something – anything – to bring about a resolution. Be wary of knee-jerk reactions.

7. Once a decision is made, it’s made

We humans tend to hold hard and fast to our decisions, even if they’re turning out to be the wrong ones. This is primarily due to cognitive dissonance, or the feeling of discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs. If you want someone to change their mind, start persuading before they have too much invested.

8. We believe the worst won’t happen

This belief is the reason we still haven’t protected ourselves against the future flood that will wipe out downtown Manhattan. Despite what the scientists say, we refuse to come to terms with the inevitable. But while we’re thinking that other people get fatal diseases and go bankrupt, someone in the organization should be planning for the worst-case scenario.

9. We make the same mistakes over and over

Human beings don’t learn from the lessons of the past, and we like to blame others for our misfortunes instead of taking a hard look inward and sharing responsibility for negative outcomes. Don’t fall into this trap. Life circumstances change all the time, but you take yourself with you.

(Photo credit: male businessman in suit with laptop via Shutterstock)

With thanks from the source: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/management/9-rule...

Tutorial on How to Make a Video in 10 Simple and easy S

Posted December 30, 2011 by Dr. Harmander Singh in Education, Literature, Writing Tools, Writers, Learning, Study Skills

Its possible to produce a video from slideshow (and even from only the photos or slides). We can also make it something that is totally amazing for the readers. Its as if wandering in the Alice’s Wonderland when we consider that readers and viewers can watch our video, the movie as a book or a magazine. The video shared in this factoid appears at YouTube is as if reading a magazine online while watching a video or slideshow. We can learn and do it in just 10 Very Easy Steps. While we describe, the video has been made using these instructions that one can see as below to learn how to make such wonderful stuff with as many options and features one wants to add. One may view before or after making any video appearing as a book or magazine:

Step 1. Open PowerPoint and hopefully it may be any version, we can use higher than 2003.

Step 2. Select the pictures and text for the Slideshow as Slides. The pictures and the text simply needs to be fit in the slide well.

Step 3. Save all Slides as GIF Graphics Interchange Format by selecting the option Every Slide not just Current Slide Only

Step 4. Open Windows Live Movie Maker and simply upload all Slides to it from the option Add Videos and Photos, and write the Title say as NEOGENESIS: Reconstructing the Self by Dr. James A. Ferrel M.D., CNC

Step 5. From the Edit tool for Videos select the duration for each slide. It can vary from 10-20 seconds or more depending on the content. Its better to view it before converting into a video.

Please read all steps for making any creative work that one writes as what the factoids gives as Tutorial on How to Make a Video in 10 Simple and easy Steps from Sideshow and Windows Live Movie Maker Appearing As Magazine or Book

(With thanks from the source from the link above to factoidz.com)

The Decline of the West - Theism is not Dogma of Force:

Posted September 1, 2011 by Dr. Harmander Singh in Spirituality, Spirit, Mind, Philosophy, Learning, Globalization, Peace

The Decline of the West - Theism is not Dogma of Force: Oswald Spengler

In general view from East is many of westerner thinker believe that most of the spirituals and others has been used only as means and ends for marketing religion and faith, which is one of well supported propaganda with many names embracing the general name New World Order.

The new advancements has simply put technology as spiritual technology that has nothing to do with God, Divine, Religion, Faiths and thus Spirituality and Nature for the Natural World in which we live.

The following musical video says it well:

The Best Spirituality is Often Just a Walk in Nature

If Wisdom Tree is accepted all is based on evolution, the self-development. The rapid change in the concepts related to God and Religions seem to use brands that are modified daily for more profits and better global business.

Thus seems what Oswald Spengler says as the Decline of the West - Theism is not Dogma of Force:

Atheism, rightly understood, is the necessary expression of a spirituality that has accomplished itself and exhausted its religious possibilities, and is declining into the inorganic. It is entirely compatible with a living wistful desire for real religiousness--therein resembling Romanticism, which likewise would recall that which has irrevocably gone, namely, the Culture--... Atheism comes not with the evening of the Culture but with the dawn of Civilization. Mo

But, if this late form of world-feeling and world-image which preludes our "second religiousness" is universally a negation of the religious in us. The structure of it is different in each of the Civilizations...

The spiritual in every living culture is religious, has religion, whether it be conscious of it or not. It is not open to a spirituality to be irreligious; at most it can play with the idea of irreligion as Medicean Florentines did. But the maglopolitan is irreligious; this is part of his being, a mark of his historical position. The degree of piety of which a period is capable is revealed in its attitude towards toleration. One tolerates something either because it seems to have some relation to what according to one's experience is the divine or else because one is no longer capable of such experience and is indifferent.

What we moderns have called "Toleration" in the classical world is an expression of the contrary of atheism. Plurality of numina and cults is inherent in the conception of Classical religion. But to the Faustian soul dogma and not visible ritual constitutes the essence. What is regarded as godless is opposition to doctrine. He begins the spatial-spiritual conception of heresy. A Faustian religion by its very nature cannot allow any freedom of conscience; it would be in contradiction with its space-invasive dynamic. Even free-thinking itself is not exception to the rule. Amongst us there is not faith without leanings to an Inquisition of some sort....

...

FAUSTIAN PHYSICS AS THE DOGMA OF FORCE [209]
The Deism of the Baroque goes together with its dynamics and its analytical geometry; its three basic principles, God, Freedom and Immortality, are in the language of mechanics the principles of inertia (Galileo), least action (D'Alembert) and the conservation of energy (J. R. Mayer).

Western physics is by its inward form dogmatic and not ritualistic. Its content is the dogma of Force which is identical with space and distance...

THE LIMITS OF FURTHER THEORETICAL--NOT TECHNICAL--DEVELOPMENT [212-13]
...

...the sudden and annihilating doubt that has arisen about things that even yesterday were the unchallenged foundation of physical theory, about the meaning of the energy-principle, the concepts of mass, space, absolute time, and causality-laws generally. ...It is a doubt affecting the very possibility of a Nature- science. To take one instance alone, what a depth of unconscious Skepsis there is in the rapidly increasing use of enumerative and statistical methods, which aim only at probability of results and forgo in advance the absolute scientific exactitude that was a creed to the hopeful earlier generations.

Sections from Spengler, The Decline of the West:

(The following chapters have links available at the source here:

Introduction: Civilization
Introduction: Imperialism
Architecture and Divinities
Imitation and Ornament
The History of Style as an Organism
Arts as Symbol of the Higher Order
Popular and Esoteric
Will to Power
Impressionism
Morale of Dawning Civilizations
The History of Style as an Organism
Pergamum and Bayreuth: the End of Art
Classical Behaviour Drama and Faustian Character Drama
Every Culture Possesses its own Ethic
Every Science is Dependent upon Religion
Atheism
Origin and Landscape: the Group of the Higher Cultures
Cities
Reformation
Science
Second Religiousness
The State
Politics
Conclusion

Thanks for your time to read it.

With thanks from the source: http://www.duke.edu/~aparks/SPENGM.html

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