By Dr. Sawraj Singh
From the very beginning, there has been a difference between the approaches of the West and the East toward knowledge. The West always had a tendency to fragment and compartmentalize knowledge. Under capitalism, this tendency has reached its peak because capitalism wants to monopolize and control knowledge. Knowledge became synonymous with power and was used for the sole purpose of increasing profit.
The East had a different attitude toward knowledge. It used an integrative approach toward knowledge. Knowledge was to be shared by all. The Eastern approach to knowledge was like a pyramid which has a broad base, but as you move higher, it converges to a point. This convergent approach rises to a common higher goal; the highest point of knowledge being ultimate reality or eternal truth. All realities, in the final analysis, are manifestations of ultimate reality or eternal truth. To reach that level of reality, we have to first understand the other realities, the lower levels of reality.
As opposed to the Eastern approach, the West has adopted a fragmented and a compartmentalized approach to knowledge. Under the pretext of specialization and super-specialization, it has fragmented and compartmentalized knowledge. The underlying motive for this has been greed. Instead of sharing knowledge, the West always wanted to monopolize and control it. As opposed to the pyramid of the East, it adopted a divergent approach, the higher you move, the more areas of specialization and super-specialization emerge. There will never be a common uniting point (like the apex of a pyramid).
When we apply these concepts to human development, then the differences become very clear. The East promotes a cultivational approach towards development of personality. Difference exists at the lower level. However, at the higher levels, we move towards unity. Let us look at the concept of Chakras. There are seven Chakras: the lower five correspond to the Physical elements, and the upper two correspond to Intellect and Universal consciousness.
The lowest Chakra (Mooladhar) corresponds to Prithvi (Earth). This is the lowest level of existence where a person is only concerned about his Physical survival. The second Chakra corresponds to Jal (Water). Here a person is concerned about procreation. Therefore, it is at the level of Genitals. The third Chakra is Agni (Fire). This is the level of attachment and jealousy. However, fire has some positive effect also like purification. This is the level of Navel (Umbilicus). The fourth Chakra corresponds to Vayu (Air). This is at the level of Heart. Heart is surrounded by lungs which have air. At this level people feel compassion. The fifth Chakra corresponds to Akash (Space or Ether). This is at the level of Kanth (Throat). You can express your compassion by the spoken word. The spoken word becomes part of the Space. The sixth Chakra corresponds to intellect. This is called Agya Chakra and is in the middle of the forehead. The seventh Chakra is called Sheshadhar, it corresponds to Universal consciousness or cosmic awareness. This is reached when your tenth gate opens, in other words, when one transcends body and mind (Intellect). We can see the integrative approach because the lower five centers correspond to the Body, the sixth corresponds to the Mind, and the seventh one to the Spirit. Therefore, this is an integrative approach which integrates body, mind and spirit. At the spiritual level of existence (Realization of true self), there is complete unity and there is no duality.
As opposed to the Eastern integrative approach toward human personality, the West has promoted a compartmentalized approach. A man has different personalities at different levels of interaction. He has a different personality at work (Business) and a different personality at home. Even at home, he has different personalities while dealing with his wife, children or his parents. Of course, the personality with wife changes if there is a divorce. Amongst all these personalities, it becomes very difficult to know who the real self is. The ultimate tragedy is that one not only confuses others, but gets confused himself. This is the stage of complete alienation from self.
How can these fragmented, compartmentalized and alienated people be truly happy? They are only living with the illusion of happiness. For true happiness, one has to realize the true self and not alienate from self. No wonder, depression is becoming the commonest ailment under capitalism!
Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is the Chairman of the Washington State Network for Human Rights and Chairman of the Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice. He can be reached at [email protected].
