UNIT IVProblems of Modernity and Impact on Modern Life and Relevance of

Ancient Wisdom (Self –Family and Society)

IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY IN OUR LIFE 

• Definition • A fundamental social group in society

typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.

• Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.

• All the members of a household under one roof.

• A group of persons sharing common ancestry. • Lineage, especially distinguished lineage.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP

It is the place, where one learns how family relationships work, by observing in parents, grandparents, siblings and rest of the family members deal with each other. Many of you must have enjoyed meeting them on family vacations and family reunions and exchanging family reunion gifts with them.

IDENTITY

What one learns from the family it becomes the value system and forms the basis for perceptions and actions. An individual is known for one’s actions. It is the family that gives identity to an individual. Whenever one moves from one place to another, he/she carries the family image along.

Living the Four Ashrams of Life

Brahmacharya/Student

Grihasta/Householder

Vanaprastha/Hermitage

Sanyasa/Renunciate

Vedas embody the cosmic sound :

Karma Kanda (dealing with rituals),

Upasana Kanda (dealing with forms of worship) and

Jnana Kanda (dealing with the path of Knowledge).

The Ancient Indian Civilization, Culture, Science & Technology and Management

•The term ‘India’ was taken up from River Indus where the first settlers established their residence. •The river was worshipped by Aryans as Sindhu.•The Number System was first invented in ancient India.• Zero was first used by Aryabhata.•The Decimal System and the Place Value System were developed in India in 100 B.C.•Takshila holds distinction of being World’s First University. The Earliest School of Medicine, Ayurveda was known to mankind.. •Navigation started in the River Sindu 6000 years ago. Derived from the Sanskrit word Navgatih Ancient Indians excelled in this art. ‘Navy’ word is also derived from Sanskrit word ‘nou’.•Bhaskaracharya calculated the Time Taken by the Earth to Orbit the Sun hundreds of years ago. Guess his calculation done in 5th century- 365.258756484 days.•Budhayana was the First Indian Mathematician (6th century) to calculate the value of ‘pi’ and explained the concept of Pythagorean Theorem. Ancient India is the home of Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus. Greeks and Romans used the numbers as big as 106 whereas ancient Indians used numbers as big as 10*53 (10 to the power of 53).•Saurashtra is the home of Earliest Reservoir and Dam built for Irrigation. The records of King Rudradaman I of 150 BC show that a beautiful lake called Sudarshana was constructed on the hills of Raivataka during Chandragupta Maurya’s time.

Effects of Westernization on Indian Culture and Traditions

•Dresses

•Arts

•Traditional Sciences

•Language

•Lifestyle

•Rampant Consumerism / Brand Materialism

Modernization

•Modernization symbolizes the Advancement. Advancement simply means the betterment and to move forward in a positive sense.

•In modernization the society tries to innovate and utilize its present and old knowledge, patterns, techniques and resources.

• Modernization makes a society more confident, independent, versatile and moreover self-sufficient.

Westernization

• The society just blindly adopts the western patterns, processes, techniques and life styles without looking towards the betterment of their own opportunities

Problems of Modern Lifestyle

(1) TENSION - Physical, mental, emotional

(2) HEALTH PROBLEMS - Physical, mental and emotional diseases (including psychosomatic disorders)

(3) ECOLOGICAL POLLUTION/RUPTURE IN OZONE LAYER

(4) DISTURBED FAMILY RELATIONS

(5) VIOLENCE AND CRUELTY

(6) CORRUPTION / DISHONESTY / IMMORALITY

(7) DRUG-ADDICTION

(8) NEGLECT OF LAW & ORDER AND ETHICAL, MORAL AND SOCIAL DISCIPLINE

(9) ARMAMENTS/NUCLEAR WEAPONS (MILITARISM)

(10) EXPLOITATION and Obesity a 'problem of modern lifestyle'

The following seem to be the main culprits in creating these problems :

(a) Degeneration of faith in basic values of life.(b) Utter materialistic outlook.(c) Excessive proclivity for ease and comfort.(d) Hedonistic tendencies / Neo-culture sensualisrn.(e) Unbridled desires / cravings / ambitions.(f) Lack of compassion and spirit of service.(g) Lack of self-discipline / self-control.(h) Excessive greed / Possessiveness / Acquisitiveness Money-mindedness.(i) Utter selfishness.(j) Over-industrialization.(k) Over-urbanization.(1) Over-population.(m) Over-busy life (time-stress).

There are some fundamental causes responsible for the above :

(1) Distortion of neuro-endocrine system.

(2) Lack of value-education.

(3) Unbalanced educational system; input is incomplete; there is merely preaching-oriented education (without the practical technique for attitudinal change and behavioural modification).

(4) Enfeebling of innate vital force (Prana), resulting in the weakening of will-power and tolerance.