Namaskar Spiritual practices such as meditation brings with it an expansion of mind which extends into society as well. Hence, the emphasis on social service projects. That sentiment and outlook is neo-humanism. Society also requires an elevating socio-economico-politico framework which must be progressive and achieves best utilization - a progressive utilization theory (Prout). Some of the basics are below. Dharma --- Neo-humanism We are all members of the same universal family because all beings in the universe exist within the one infinite Cosmic Consciousness. To express that relationship of unity, the mystic philosopher Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar introduced the term Neo-humanism. It means the practice of love for all created beings of the universe, animate and inanimate. Humanism means proper regard and compassion for people – for human beings. But it doesn't include other beings – animals, plants and the various aspects of nature. Neo-humanism is the spirit of humanism extended to all: the elevation of humanism to universalism. It is an all-encompassing concept – embracing the whole world as our home and family; an interconnected and harmonious web of unity. It means the expansion of one's inner love for humanity in every direction to include all people and all creatures of the universe, as part of the one Cosmic family. "When some people started advancing, they thought more about themselves and less about others; nor did they think about the animals and plants. But if we analyse with a cool brain, it becomes quite clear that just as my life is important to me, others' lives are equally important to them; and if we do not give proper value to the lives of all creatures, then the development of the entire humanity becomes impossible. If people think more about themselves as individuals or about their small families, castes, clans or tribes, and do not think at all about the collectivity, this is decidedly detrimental. Similarly, if people neglect the entire living world - the plant world, the animal world - is this not indeed harmful? That is why I say that there is a great need to explain humanity and humanism in a new light, and this newly-explained humanism will be a precious treasure for the world." - Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar --- "When the underlying spirit of humanism is extended to everything, animate and inanimate, in this universe - I have designated this as Neo-Humanism. This Neo-Humanism will elevate humanism to universalism, love for all created beings of this universe." - P. R. Sarkar Neo-Humanist Values UNIVERSAL LOVE ONE HUMAN SOCIETY PRESERVING DIVERSITIES WHILE ELIMINATING DISPARITIES ECOLOGICAL BALANCE RECOGNIZING THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF ALL LIFE REVERENCE FOR ALL BEINGS RECOGNITION OF EXISTENTIAL VALUE AND UTILITY VALUE RATIONAL THINKING HOLISTIC SELF DEVELOPMENT SPIRIT OF BENEVOLENCE SPIRIT OF SERVICE COOPERATIVE SPIRIT SOCIAL EQUALITY SENSE OF AESTHETICS ART AND SCIENCE FOR SERVICE AND BLESSEDNESS --- Neo-Humanist Philosophy By Marcus Bussey Simple ideas are often the most powerful. This is certainly the case with Neo-Humanism. Rooted in the ancient yogic perception that all existence is bound together, that we are all interconnected, Neo-Humanism transcends a limited and deeply wounded humanism with a holistic reconceptualisation of what it is to be human. Neo-Humanism is a process of becoming consciously, self consciously, human; and taking our humanity to deeper divine insights. Essentially it is a term both general and specific, covering as it does all the 'holisms' that have sprung up in the humanities, sciences, and social movements in recent decades, while more specifically being a set of principles for living based on the ethic of universal love. As an ethical approach to life it has as its leading exponent the Indian philosopher, political activist and mystic, Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar. As such it is philosophical in form, revolutionary in spirit and spiritual in orientation. Neo-Humanism offers a strong critique of nationalism, sexism, specism, capitalism and racism. As an ethical system its emphasis is on an integrated world view that urges us to embrace all experience of the phenomenal world reverentially. As a way of knowing it breaks the bounds of humanism, expanding what that arch humanist Vaclav Havel has called "the concept of human rights and liberties" to include the rights and liberties of the entire phenomenal world. As such it is part of the current reaction to the divisive and alienating effects of western rationalism. It is however more than just a voice of dissent. Its strength and positivity comes from the fact that it places us as individuals in a world made meaningful by a renewed sense of our interconnection with everything. This is not simply a rhetorical interconnectedness, as we find in much holistic and new age writing. Neo-humanism is a spiritual force because it acknowledges and actively promotes spiritual practice as the way to achieve a sense of belonging in the universe. This sense of belonging cannot come from simple assertions that we belong: the rhetoric of belonging. Love, reverence and responsibility will not magically appear within us as transformative forces simply because we think they should. Nor will the authority to teach and guide others burst forth in our lives without some real effort being made to plumb the depths of ourselves in a contemplative and disciplined way. We cannot find salvation for this embattled world through reversion to simplistic atavistic formulas such as "God is everywhere." But, of course, such a sentiment is also fine. Basically, neo-humanism is potent because it throws full responsibility for change onto us. Put simply, we have to change in order to promote change. As human beings we are bound to explore our own potentiality, to expand our understanding of who and why we are. This is the primary drive - it might be called the 'prime directive' - for us all as we chart our way through life. At the moment this prime directive is distorted as we are taught to compete with others for limited resources. And conditioned to believe, rather than experience. For example, to believe in religion, rather than experience spiritual awareness. If we apply this prime directive with benevolence we find that every thing changes. We no longer need to compete with others, in fact our development as conscious beings is linked to our relationships. Our awareness of our interconnection with others enables us to harness the power of love as we turn from being self serving beings to beings of service. We now experience and realise, rather than just believe. What is more, because the sense of relationship expands as we take this step into inter-connectedness human beings are not seen as the dominators in the drama of existence. All plant, animal and human life have existential and utility value. Furthermore, human beings are not even the centre of our thinking. Consciousness itself becomes the chief protagonist in an epic that spans the ages since that initial spark, the point scientists call the Big Bang, when matter took form and began to unfold itself into the world we know today. All is an expression of a Universal Consciousness. From this perspective our relationships include both animate and inanimate existence and we are never alone, wedded as we are to all things. Neo-Humanism describes the wonder of this drama and our role within it. It is critical of any thing that impedes our progressive individual and collective journey through life. Because it is synthetic in character it allows for no distinction based on race, sex, caste, religion or even species. A Neo-Humanist agenda is a liberatory agenda. It places great store on human rationality as a tool in over turning all forms of dogma and prejudice. It links morality to this rational process in order to make the mind pure enough to function without bias, and the heart strong enough to embrace all in the endeavour to forge one single humanity. --- Lord of the Rings. What is it's special message for the present? A small group of people (company) are out on a seemingly never accomplishable dharmic mission. They face a hardly known, unpredictable, dreadful enemy compared to which they are hopelessly few and powerless. (Just like the threat of the 3rd world war! :\) In spite of tremendous fear, mental and physical challenge, they maintain contentment, simplicity, spiritedness and love and responsibility for each-other. They are of different folks: hobbits, elves, men and a dwarf. They have varied natures but putting aside all individual differences they move forward united (Just like us...right?) They go through incredible trials and terrors but when the hardships become unbearable, some help comes (at least until page 400). The writer will let us know that they had enough sleep, food, at times warm baths. And there's always something beautiful along the road, or a joke or a song that lightens the psychic pressure. They are being taken care of in a keenly parental ways - just as a spiritual teacher or Guru has been doing and will be doing for the devotees of God. This is a 'fairy tale' that encourages and strengthens you from deep within ... There are some highly spiritual concepts: for example about magic. The Elves give a hood and cloak to each of the company. It was hard to say of what colour they were: grey with the hue of twilight under the trees they seemed to be; and yet if they were moved, or set in another light, they were green as shadowed leaves, or brown as fallow fields at night, dusk-silver as water under the stars. ... Are these magic cloaks? [A Hobbit asked] ... I do not know what you mean by that, answered the leader of the Elves. ... They are elvish robes certainly, if that is what you mean. Leaf and branch, water and stone: they have the hue and beauty of all these things under the twilight of Lothlorien that we love; FOR WE PUT THE THOUGHT OF ALL THAT WE LOVE INTO ALL THAT WE MAKE. Yet they are garments not armour, and they will not turn shaft or blade. But they should serve you well: they are light to wear and warm enough or cool enough at need. And you will find them a great aid of keeping out of the sight of unfriendly eyes, whether you walk among the stones or trees ... That is remindful of the magics of spiritual practices and the devotional relationship it builds, - humble, practical and benevolent. It's also meaningful to see that we have other places in our mind ... what another place the Elf-Queen says (about her mirror that shows many things ): ... this is what your folk would call magic, I believe; though I do not understand clearly what they mean; and they seem also to use the same word for the deceits of the enemy. That is interesting, as we have so many things to overcome in ourselves, but the Centre is indeed beyond the relativities of good and bad. Didi Jyotiprabha' --- Perfect Spirituality and Neo-Humanism Those established in Spirituality as a Mission, will touch the hearts of others. Anon --- Check the update on the Abha Light Foundation project web page at: http://www.abhalight.org/. This is the AMURTEL mobile Homeopathic clinic project started by Didi Ananda Sukriti in Africa. The project is being continued with the help of volunteer homeopaths and other donors and is now being managed by Didi Ananda Rucira. This is a tribute to the late Didi Ananda Sukriti, and surely it is a project deserving of support not only by those who knew and loved her, but by all. If you know of anyone who may be interested to assist this project, please do let them know about it. http://www.abhalight.org/ --- One human society. One day Israel and Palestine must merge. This idea is not a proposal ... Anandamurti mentioned this when visiting Israel in September 1979. One day Israel and Palestine will unite. This will be their bright future. They have the same origin and their language has the same root. He also said that in Cairo Sector (North Africa) women will lead despite the sector being a male dominated society. PROUT (PROgressive Utilisation Theory) advocates that all people have the right to settle anywhere in the universe. ---