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... )
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