English D13 Knowing & Assuming 2022 11 20
Channel: Universal Human Values
Date: 20/11/2022

Discussion
P1. Human Being - co-existence of self and body
- The needs, activities and response of self and body - The needs of the body are limited while the needs of the Self are continuous. 
- The continuity of activities of Self was also analyzed in different states of the Self, such as being awake or during sleep
- The proposal for the meaning of assuming and knowing, and their outcome
(as an example, there was discussion about the use of certain types of clothes on some special occasions like marriage, celebration etc. It came out that there could be two ways in which make selection of clothes on such occasions: 
1. To get favorable feeling from others which is partantrata, being enslaved
2. To utilize the facilities to share feeling of respect with the other, with a feeling of generosity which is swatantrata, being self-organized
In the first case, there is no definiteness of feeling, and we are not comfortable within. In the second case, there is definiteness of feeling, and we feel comfortable within. Also, we try to develop the competence of others so that the dependence of others on physical facilities for happiness comes down)

P2. While discussing the need for physical facilities, there was also discussion on the need for research. It emerged that presently the research in technology is being carried out largely on account of the following:
1. For better nurturing, protection and right utilization of the body 
2. With the obsession of consumption, profit or sensual pleasure
3. Due to fear of inhuman conduct (terrorism, wars, etc.)
In addition, there is research going on in science to get more and more information about the existence, from atom to the entire universe. 
Regarding (3), there are two possibilities:
 i. to counter fear due to inhuman conduct of others, 
ii. to create fear through inhuman conduct among others.  
For (i), we may need to work temporarily but that does not have to be made a continuous program, while (ii) is not desirable at all. But presently, even some countries have become dependent on (ii) for their economy.
Regarding (1), we need to focus more on right utilization of the body for which understanding of self is required. But there is very little research going on to understand the self, and hence there is no universal clarity of happiness too. In humanities, we are largely making  an appraisal of the present state of the human beings and working out ways and means to make systems work with their current state, in place of developing the right understanding.

Assignment for self-reflection
1. Find out if we are largely operating at the level of assuming with knowing or assuming  without knowing
2. Evaluate your awareness about self and body throughout the day
3. In all the various activities today, try and see if you are basing your happiness on completion of the activity in a timely and efficient manner or  are you doing the activities in a state of happiness (comfort within).
Note down your observations in your journal.

Overall
Our basic aspiration is for Continuous Happiness and Prosperity.
There is plenty of information about it.

In this approximately 4-month long series, we are exploring into the question "Is Happiness our Innate Nature or an Influence from Outside"?

Participants have a keen interest in direct observation and realisation of what they have heard from various sources to bring it into living. They have participated in the Introductory workshop on Universal Human Values to develop the basic background required for this self-exploration.

Batch 6, Day 13, 20 Nov 2022