Guiding Principles – Part - 1

In February month, we will be mainly discussing on the systems which really guides and governs our thoughts and finally our actions.

Our life is governed or balanced by two preparations. One preparation is for external factors and second is for internal parameters. External factors can be called as, education system, society, rules and regulations, organizations etc. And internal parameters can be as, our belief system, passion, attitude, quest for existence etc.

External factors are those which can be evaluated or measured against time & situation while internal parameters can be evaluated or measured by understanding the health of our state of mind or how we look at life, what are our assumptions etc.
Explanation:-
We are always in a state of preparation. For example, preparations for exams, then preparation for schooling, then preparation for colleges, then for Job, then for career then for retirement etc. More than 90% of time our preparation is to cope up with external factors and for survival. This is important and essential. But equal importance also should be given to the internal parameter. Normally, preparation for external factors is by conscious efforts and preparation for the internal parameters is the outcome of external factors and its evaluation by individual. Actually it should have been other way round.

If we try to understand the character of great people then we will find that, they use to control or command the external factors based on their internal parameters. They use to work on the internal parameters consciously.

Example Gandhi, his belief was non-violence and all his actions and thoughts were guided by this belief. Swami Vivekananda, his whole life and work has been guided by the belief that ‘oneness of the universe & study of Vedanta’. Study any of such individuals like scientist, artist, or any individual whom you appreciate, you will find the their guiding principles or governing system is very strong (internal parameters)

In our case, external factors shape our internal parameters. Example – most of us believe what we see and after experiencing the same it becomes part of our belief system. We have seen corruption, we have seen chalta hai attitude, we have seen education system working on marks etc. And this becomes our belief system & starts guiding our thoughts and actions. So we need to keep check on these systems.

Actually speaking we should understand the importance of these guiding principles (internal parameters) and try to realize there true nature.
The question we should ask to ourselves is, do we really have such strong foundation? If Yes, then what is the nature our internal parameter? Is it courage, is it clarity in thoughts, is it belief system or is it the quest in nature for purpose of existing, the ultimate quest etc. And If No, then on what basis we are living or we just exist because our heart and brain is functioning?

Next Monday we would go into more explanation & examples for better understanding of the subject. Till then keep check on your assumptions and thoughts, you will find that life is simple & joyful, but because of our assumptions we are making it complicated.

To be Contd………….