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Let me present my vision of the dynamics of human existence in the form of a clock diagram and then
explain each item in brief and finally make some generalizations. on si
res
reg
t
inc
Inst
ath
Lif
De
eI
nst
belongingness needs
self-esteem needs
ion
survival needs
ess
actualisation
gr
Pro
needs
Fullfillment of self-
basic needs and moving
towards excellence for
the individual and for all Grace Random
Process
Relativity - Pre-determined
Co-dependent Mechanical Process
arising
Action & Teleological Process (Building up
Consequence Social Dynamics based on a drafted blueprint)
Natural evolution
Evolutionary
Integral Process
Process
Conscious evolution
Dialectical Three dynamics
Process Three Faces Cumulative
of Power Process
Equilibrium
Process Cyclical Process
Integration, love, Threat, Destruction
Exchange,
social power
Productive, Economic & Political-military
(hug) Power (stick-
Power (Carrot-
reward) punishment)
* The basics of this paper springs from my conversation with Prof. Dr. Kennath Boulding in Boulder, USA during May
1992 and his two books - A Primer of Social Power (1970) and Three Faces of Power (1992). I am indebted to several
authors and conversations over these years. This is only a preliminary version.
Dynamics of Human Existence 45
The human capacity to develop a blueprint is happenings triggered the evolutionary process
further enhanced by science and technology, 3) Unknown factors triggering evolution. We
collaborative imput and by the inherent strive towards generally call these as natural process of evolution.
human excellence. Some may develop blueprints for
death and destruction, conquest and subjucation of Humans with their consciousness and freedom
fellow human beings. and with the help of all their enhanced knowledge
and tools can become co-creators of the evolutionary
Democracy, Socialism, freedom, human rights, process. Modification of DNA, enhancement of brain
human unity and excellence are all human developed capacity, collective effort, use of the various
blueprints for individual and social development. technologies and power can push the process of
Mahatma Gandhi called it as a constructive natural evolution a new level.
programme to build up a nonviolent and prosperous
world for all. He called it as Sarvodaya (welfare and Evolution does not always mean progress. In
prosperity & holistic development of all at all levels) the evolutionary process, humans also have lost
and Antyodaya (welfare of the last first) The additional somethings such as the social organization of ants and
imput of Vinoba Bhave and Vethathiri Maharishi bees. There is also the possibility that instead of
about the wellbeing and prosperity of the entire world, evolving into superhuman levels of existence, humans
it becomes the most advanced blueprint for human also may degenerate into demonic levels of existence
excellence. as described in many anceint tales.
5.2. Cyclical Process rules, pay our monthly due, rent etc., because failure
to do so will result in bad consequences. Threat also
As happens in the biological world, there is
can keep good relationships and it can also act as a
birth, growth and decay. The time frame for this cycle
meaningful exchange. Family relationships become
may vary from one to another. However this is true
stable also due to the fear of family breakdown. To
and inevitable in the biological world. Many Indian
avoide “stick”, one may keep up a contract.
scriptures speak of cyclical movement of Yugas. There
is a period of growth, reaching of a zenith and then Threat or destructive power has become a major
descend. The concept of endrophy is an expression of danger in our age of weapons of mass destruction it
the cyclical concept. It is in a way a pessimistic may become a sure way to total annihilation. Threat
concept. Medival Tamil mystic Manickkavasagar power is expensive and contagious. Threat power
proclaims “I will melt my body but enhance my inner cannot be eliminated. However it can become more
light”. This is a challenge to the concept of endropy. meaningful.
Life is a relay race and what one carries with onself
and what one leaves to humanity before one’s demise 6.2. Exchange, Productive and Economic
is very important. Power - Carrot (reward)
(exchange) Power
Integrative Power
(Power of Love)
Inspite of the integral vision of Jesus Christ,
Productive
Political-military Threat Christianity mostly subscribed to the perennial war
power (Stick- (destructive) between good and evil. Islam which came later, inspite
punishment) Power of its vision of fraternity is deeply immersed in the
holy war tradition of God vs Saturn / good vs evil...
with violence, punishment and hell. The same
tendency is dominantly found in the Easter traditions
inspite of their emphasis on integral views. Hindu
Threat (destructive)
Integrative Power
(Power of Love)
epics and Bhagavad Gita centres around dharmic wars
Economic Exchange between good and evil.
Power
Christ gave the vision of liberating and redeeming all A wrong action by one may bring damage to
through his redeeming holy blood and forgiving. many. Here is the social dimension of Karma (action)
A good action may bring benefit to many.
The anekanta vada (pluralism) of Mahavira and
the modern vision of Truth and Reconciliation Apart from social dimension, there is also the
through dialogue, forgiving, inclusiveness, penance historical dimension. The good example would be
and transforming acts are fine expressions of integral religious and ethnic conflicts. The hatred and
approach. Mahatma Gandhi in the foot-steps of Jesus revengeful attitude spread across history.
Christ developed the vision of transforming evil
3. Inherited imprints
through soul force (Satyagraha). Holistic knowledge
(truth), forgiving and forgetting, justice, setting right Humans inherit the imprints from human
the past mistakes, compensatory action, penance, ancestors and pre-human ancestors. These are carried
rightful action, healing the wounds, transformation in our DNA, genes, brain system, milieu, etc.,
practices are all tools for the integral process. This is Christianity speaks of original sin carried all along and
the way for human survival and excellence in the Indian religions speak of the load of Karma of
Nuclear Age. previous-births.
The general concept is “good action will bring The Buddha spoke about the concepts of
good result and bad action will bring bat result”. This relativity and co-dependent arising. There is nothing
is true to some extent. If one touches a live electric in isolation. Everything is inter-related and inter-
wire or mishandle a gas connection, the result will be twained. We are all a intricate web of relationships.
immediate danger. However good people suffer and Life is itself a “relay race”. In Nature there is nothing
bad people flourish. To explain this, religions use the in isolation. From fundamental particles to atoms
concepts of birth cycle and past actions, curse of gods, (elements and isotopes) and from atoms to all that
test by gods, etc., There are three possible exists are all the result of intricate bonds of
explanations. relationships.
11. Fullfillment of basic needs and towards There is beauty, order, rhythm, wonder, joy,
excellence development, perfection and excellence in nature
amidst all negativities. There is vastness and no limit
Abraham Maslow has presented a map of
to the universe and life systems. From the Big Bang
hierarchy of five needs. This is often presented in the
to today, a fourteen billion years of evolution suggests
form a triangle. A circular representation may be a
the presence and working of a positive force-Grace.
better way to do this.
It is up to each one to feel and realize the
Without fulfilling the survival and security
working of Grace and take advantage of that reality
needs, our existence will be in a jeopardy. There is a
as well. If we believe in ultimate doom, there is
vast difference between basic and honest needs and
difficulty in moving forward. If we believe or have
extravagant and limitless greed. The basic needs may
faith in marching towards excellence and perfection,
differ from context to context. Humans does not live
then that becomes a powerful impetus. All religious
by bread alone. Relationship and self-esteem needs
systems and spiritual traditions express faith in Grace.
are also equally important. Untill now vast majority
Except the Ajivakas, no other religious and spiritual
of human beings have spent much of their time and
tradition places exclusive faith on the pre-determined
energy to meet their basic needs. Today we are moving
nature of life. Grace is one factor, may be an important
from need-seeking society to need-fullfilled society.
factor, along with several other factors explained in
This has already happened for a considerable section
this paper. The greatness of God/Grace is that it allows
of human population. This should happen for the
or it has inbuilt place for freedom, free-will and action
entire humankind. We need sustainable and eco-
and it is an open-ended system with no limits.
friendly development for all.
Conclusion
The fifth stage is self-actualization. One has to
bloom and ascend peak after peak of excellence for A beautiful and intelligent use of all these twelve
oneself and for others. From self-actualization, we need factors may help humanity to achieve survival,
to move to selfless actualization for all. That would excellence and move forward in evolution. Life is an
open a new eva of human excellence and superhuman endless journey towards the unknown excellence for
evolution. However there is always the danger of oneself and for all. Life is a mystry, challenge, risk
giving down. and ever expanding complexity. We are called upon
to move forward, to set right things and also carry
12. Grace
others with us in the endless journey / pilgrimage /
Materialists and rationalists may deny the role adventure. However we should also be prepared for
of Grace. This needs careful examination. The concept failures, defeat and setbacks in our endless journey.
that God is everything and three is no place for Integral aspects and visions of co-creations may be
freedom and free-will and the belief that everything very important. Individual humans are bound to perish
is pre-determined and all we see is only an illusion but still they can facilitate the marching ahead of
(maya) cannot be accepted for obvious reasons. humanity. Let us do our best with our human body,
which has no parallel is for as we know, before we
We need to move from rational to loose it.
trans-rational and from material to trans-material levels
of existence. Sliding down to pre-rational and
pre-material levels is dangerous.