It is a tradition, at the beginning of every new year, to resolve to do something worthwhile-like eating less or to stop flying off the handle at the slightest provocation-for the sake of self-growth.It has never been fully resolved, however, as to why folks think that making a decision on the first day of January is going to have a higher chance of success as opposed to any other day in the year.
Maybe it's the sleep-deprived brains engaging in neuronal manipulations.Many of these new year resolutions tend to be quite revolutionary as far as the normal and customary personal habits go. One would think that if more reasonable and manageable goals were set then the probability of success would substantially increase, so why not New Year evolution.
Why? Because evolutionary processes are more representative of the growth process, be it personal, organisational or societal and thus we should aim for evolution.Naturally continuous evolution over a period of time becomes, at the tipping point, a revolution. Continuous practice makes one a changed person.
A person prone to angry outbursts cannot realistically think that by merely saying "I am not going to get angry" will automatically result in an unflappable mien; even if it is repeated thousands of times every day. One needs to analyse why one gets angry, what are the triggers and then every time he/she is overwhelmed by anger self-introspection is activated.
To obtain self-control one needs to recondition the neuronal responses. The anger-biased neural networks need to evolve into a one that leads to equanimity of the mind. This is a lengthy process and is the first practice recommended by the codifier of yoga, the sage Patangali.
Mahatma Gandhi once remarked that in order to change the world we must first change ourselves. This quest for self-growth and development seems to be an innate and intrinsic human characteristic of great leaders. It begins with an acknowledgement that we are not quite satisfied with ourselves.
This may be treading on dangerous grounds as some would want to indicate that to so acknowledge would negatively affect one's self-confidence and self-worth etc.This is not the intent nor is it the case. Rather it takes self-confidence to acknowledge that we can be better.Change cannot, will not and does not take place without a driving force, which is the difference between what we are now and what we can be; the change potential.
Too often complacency is confused with self-confidence or self-worth. Complacency leads to decay, not growth, and evolution represents growth on the field of improvement. Evolution is intrinsic innovation.There must thus be the proper mind set if we are to travel along the path of self-development.
National development is predicated on the development of the individual citizens.The moot question would be how much infrastructure is there to facilitate self-growth. The usual approach is to leave this aspect to the religious bodies in the main. But is this enough or should the State be involved in providing services and support for self-growth through the educational system?
Presently, the emphasis is on certification for earning a living. Why no emphasis on education for living? It is now acknowledged that there are many types of intelligence. It is taken into account by requiring students to obtain specific personal competences in addition to technical know-how. This is a step in the right direction. It is not enough however.
Serious consideration should be given to including in the education system courses on self-development and ethical living. The need for high ethical conduct is recognised and the Integrity in Public Life Act is one legislative mechanism to promulgate ethical behaviour. Would the world not be a better place if all citizens were paragons of virtuous conduct?
Equanimity of mind, the goal of yoga, is premised on ethical behaviour. This system has been tried and tested and proven to be quite useful in producing ethical human beings through the practice of meditation.Evidence indicates that the practice of meditation has positive effects on cohorts ranging from students to hardened criminals.
The introduction of meditation and courses on ethical behaviour in the school system would certainly allow for sustained personal growth, redounding to a better society.Prakash Persad is the director of Swaha Inc.