Understanding Human Beings as the Co-existence of the Self and the Body

A human being is more than just a body. It is essential to understand a human not only in terms of the body but also in the context of the self, which acts as the observer or user of the body. The body is the physical entity with a particular structure and features, whereas the self is the consciousness or aliveness of the person—essentially, the entity that sustains the body.

The 'self' (I) and the 'body' differ in their needs. The needs of the body are physical in nature. However, the needs of the self are non-physical. The body requires food for nourishment, clothes for protection from different weather conditions, and other physical facilities to ensure its proper functioning. These can be categorized as physical facilities or suvidha. In contrast, the self (I) requires respect, happiness, trust, etc. Thus, the primary need of the self is to live in a state of continuous happiness.

While it is necessary to provide for the physical facilities of the body, it is equally important to nurture the self to ensure respect, happiness, and trust.

To conclude, a human being can be understood as the co-existence of two distinct entities: the sentient 'I' and the material body. Their needs and activities are quite different and must be understood accordingly. However, these two components of a human being must function in close harmony with each other.

Program to Ensure the Health of the Body

Our current lifestyle and conditioning are not always conducive to maintaining a healthy body. Therefore, it is important to understand sanyama and swasthya correctly and maintain harmony with the body. As a proposal, we need to focus on the following:

1. Understanding and living with sanyama.
2. Understanding the self-organization of the body and ensuring its health.

Understanding and Living with Sanyama

Sanyama implies that the self takes responsibility for the proper nurturing and right utilization of the body. To achieve this, it is essential to understand the body's functions. It is also important to recognize that the body has a limited lifespan and undergoes a natural process of growth and decay. The interaction between the self and the body should align with these objectives, which are achieved through sanyama.

Understanding the Self-organization of the Body and Ensuring Its Health

a. Nurturing of the Body: Proper Food, Air, Water, etc.:

When selecting food for the body, I must identify elements that make a complete meal, ensuring it provides the necessary nutrients and energy. Based on an understanding of the harmony between the self and the body, it can be said that food should only be eaten when one feels hungry. The choice of food should be easily digestible, consumed in proper posture, and in appropriate quantities.

b. Protection of the Body:

The second aspect is the protection of the body. The clothes we wear should ensure the body interacts properly with its environment. The body needs appropriate exposure to air, water, and sunlight to maintain its optimal functioning.

c. Right Utilization of the Body (Sadupayoga):

The right utilization of the body involves understanding its true purpose. Often, we think of the body as an instrument for sensory enjoyment, which is not accurate. Additionally, using the body to exploit other human beings or nature is not the right utilization. Instead, the human body should be viewed as an instrument for facilitating right understanding and its application in life.

Distinguishing between the Needs of the Self and the Body

Needs of the Body and Self: Continuous or Temporary

The body's needs, such as food, are temporary. For example, if X’s friend offers him a burger and X eats it, once he is satisfied, any further insistence on eating more would feel like punishment. This illustrates that the body requires food only periodically.

Similarly, the body does not need the same type of clothing in different weather conditions. Its need for clothing is temporary. One cannot wear the same warm sweater in both winter and summer. The body requires a change in clothing depending on the weather.

The body also needs protection from adverse weather, which is why shelter, such as a house, is necessary. However, one cannot live in a house or room continuously for protection, as this would feel like imprisonment. Thus, the need for shelter is also temporary.

Other facilities for the body are similarly temporary. For instance, one cannot sit in an airplane for an extended period without discomfort. This shows that the body does not have continuous needs for physical facilities. Food, clothing, shelter, and other facilities are only required for a limited time, making the body's needs temporary.

In contrast, the needs of the self (I) are continuous. Everyone desires constant happiness, acceptance in relationships, and respect. No one wants to lose these feelings, even for a moment. Therefore, the needs of the self are continuous, whereas the needs of the body are temporary.

Even basic needs like breathing, which occur in intervals (inhale and exhale), show that the body's needs are not continuous. On the other hand, the need for respect and happiness in the self is unbroken—no one wishes to be respected at one moment and disrespected the next.

Needs of the Body and Self: Quantitative or Qualitative

The needs of the body are quantitative. One can quantify the requirements for the body, such as clothes, food, shoes, rooms, and vehicles. While the amount of these requirements may differ from person to person, they are always limited in quantity.

For example, one person may need only one chapatti per day, while another might require three. Similarly, one person may need a scooter to travel, while another might need a bicycle. However, no one requires an unlimited number of chapattis, scooters, or bicycles. All physical facilities have a limited, quantifiable need.

This can be verified by making a list of the physical things you use and checking if any of them are needed in unlimited quantities. You’ll find that none of them are.

Let's consider food as an example. If Mr. X loves pastries and his aunt offers him as many as he wants, initially, the pastries satisfy his hunger and are enjoyable. However, after eating several pastries, the pleasure turns to discomfort, and eventually, even the sight of more pastries becomes unbearable.

This demonstrates that the more one tries to consume physical facilities, the less desirable they become over time. As consumption increases, the pattern follows:

Thus, physical facilities are essential at first, but their overuse leads to discomfort. The body needs physical facilities in limited quantities, and excessive consumption becomes a problem. For instance, receiving ten of the same bike would become burdensome, or loving mangoes does not mean one wants tons of them.

This proves that the body's need for physical facilities is restricted.

Needs of the Self (I)

The needs of the self are qualitative. Our feelings, such as happiness, respect, and affection, are qualitative and cannot be measured in quantities. It sounds absurd to say "one kilogram of happiness" or "three liters of love." Feelings are qualitative in nature—either one is happy or not, either one feels love and affection or doesn’t.

Thus, the needs of the self are qualitative and desired continuously, while the needs of the body are quantitative and limited.

Living in Harmony with the Self, Family, and Society

Living in harmony with the self, family, and society requires a balanced approach that nurtures personal well-being, strengthens family bonds, and promotes positive interactions within the larger community. It involves understanding one’s needs and desires, respecting others’ perspectives, and contributing to the collective well-being of society. Achieving harmony in these areas leads to a more fulfilling and peaceful life.

Living in Harmony with the Self

Harmony with the self involves being in touch with your inner thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. It includes self-awareness, self-acceptance, emotional balance, and personal growth.

• Self-Awareness: Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, values, and desires. Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help you become more attuned to your inner self.

• Self-Acceptance: Accept yourself as you are, acknowledging both imperfections and unique qualities. Work toward self-improvement without being overly critical.

• Emotional Balance: Learn to manage stress, anger, and frustration. Engage in activities that promote relaxation, like reading, exercise, or creative hobbies.

• Personal Growth: Continuously strive for improvement, whether through learning, building skills, or seeking new experiences. Set goals aligned with your values and invest in your development.

Living in Harmony with the Family

Harmony within the family fosters love, trust, and mutual support. It involves communication, respect for individuality, and support for each other.

• Communication: Open, honest communication is key. Listen without judgment, express feelings openly, and work together to solve problems.

• Quality Time: Spending meaningful time together strengthens emotional bonds and fosters respect.

• Support and Care: Be there for each other, providing emotional, financial, and moral support in times of need.

• Conflict Resolution: Approach conflicts with empathy and patience, focusing on understanding the other’s perspective.

Living in Harmony with Society

Living harmoniously within society means recognizing your role as part of a larger community. It requires contributing positively, respecting diversity, and acting with empathy.

• Social Responsibility: Understand that your actions affect others. Engage in community activities and act with integrity.

• Empathy and Compassion: Treat others with kindness, celebrating differences and supporting one another without judgment.

• Respect for Diversity: Embrace different cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles. Promote mutual understanding through dialogue.

Harmony with the self, family, and society are interconnected. When you are at peace with yourself, you are better able to contribute to your family, and a harmonious family enables greater contribution to society.

To achieve overall harmony:

• Balance: Maintain a balance between self-care, family responsibilities, and societal obligations.
• Mutual Respect: Respect yourself and others, recognizing the role everyone plays in fostering harmony.
• Contribution: Contribute positively, offering time and energy to create a peaceful environment.
• Continuous Growth: Personal growth enhances your ability to support and uplift others.

Steps to Achieve Self-Discipline

1. Set Clear, Achievable Goals: Self-discipline begins with clear, specific goals. Instead of broad goals like “I want to be fit,” set measurable targets such as “run 5 kilometers three times a week.” Breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable steps helps build momentum and keeps you motivated.

2. Develop a Plan: After setting goals, develop a structured plan. A routine aligned with your objectives makes self-discipline easier. Prioritize tasks based on importance. For instance, if you want to write more, set aside specific times for writing each day. Tackle high-priority tasks first to stay on track.

3. Start Small and Build Gradually: Self-discipline is about making consistent improvements over time. Start with one small habit, like waking up early, before adding other new habits. This gradual approach prevents burnout and makes self-discipline sustainable.

4. Eliminate Temptations: Reducing distractions is key to staying focused. Identify what derails your productivity—such as social media or procrastination—and eliminate those temptations. For example, keep your phone in another room while working to create a disciplined environment.

5. Practice Delayed Gratification: Strengthen self-discipline by delaying immediate pleasures for long-term rewards. When tempted, like wanting a snack, wait 10 minutes before indulging. Over time, this builds the ability to resist temptations. Reward yourself in meaningful ways that reinforce discipline, like taking a day off after completing a project.

6. Use Time Management Techniques: Effective time management enhances discipline. Techniques like the Pomodoro Method, where you work for a set period (e.g., 25 minutes) followed by short breaks, can boost productivity. Set time limits for tasks to maintain focus and prevent burnout, even for tasks without strict deadlines.

7. Stay Accountable: Tracking progress holds you accountable. Keep a journal or use an app to record your daily actions and assess your discipline over time.

8. Be Patient and Persistent: Setbacks are inevitable, but persistence is crucial. Instead of giving up, learn from mistakes and keep pushing toward your goals. Regularly remind yourself of your long-term vision to stay motivated, even when the going gets tough.

Noble Eightfold Path

1. Right Understanding: This refers to seeing reality clearly, particularly understanding the Four Noble Truths: that life involves suffering, that suffering has causes, and that it can be overcome. By realizing the transient nature of life, we can reduce attachment and material cravings.

2. Right Thought: Cultivate thoughts of renunciation, loving-kindness, and non-violence. Right Thought encourages intentions that lead to ethical, compassionate actions while letting go of harmful desires, ill will, or hatred.

3. Right Speech: Speak truthfully and kindly, avoiding harmful words like lies, gossip, or slander. Use speech to promote understanding and harmony, refraining from divisive or idle chatter.

4. Right Action: Act in a way that causes no harm to others. This includes refraining from killing, stealing, and engaging in sexual misconduct. Live ethically by practicing non-violence and honesty, ensuring your actions benefit rather than harm others.

5. Right Livelihood: Choose a profession that aligns with moral values, avoiding work that involves harm or deceit (e.g., trading in weapons or intoxicants). Right Livelihood ensures your work contributes positively to society without exploiting or harming others.

6. Right Effort: Make a consistent effort to cultivate positive mental states while avoiding and eliminating negative ones. Right Effort involves dedication to overcoming emotions like greed, hatred, and delusion, replacing them with kindness, compassion, and wisdom.

7. Right Mindfulness: Stay fully aware of your thoughts, actions, and emotions. Through mindfulness, observe your mental state and surroundings without attachment or judgment. This practice helps prevent distractions and encourages focus on the present moment.

8. Right Concentration: Develop deep concentration through meditation to calm and stabilize the mind. Practices like single-pointed focus (jhana) help achieve higher states of consciousness and clarity. Right Concentration allows one to remain peaceful, focused, and free from distractions, aiding the journey toward enlightenment.