Music is one of the things that can make a wedding a total success or failure. Usually, a wedding DJ plays music in nuptial ceremonies to entertain the couple getting married along with their guests. In Toronto weddings, music plays a big role in entertaining the guests and keeping the service lively. Therefore, one needs to employ much care in picking music for their Toronto wedding.

When couples choose music for their Toronto weddings, they should focus on unique music that is relevant to the occasion. This helps to break the monotony because many wedding DJs, including Mississauga DJs play the same music at different events. One should ask the wedding DJ to play their taste of music. To make it easier for the DJ, the couple can come up with a personalized play list. They can also ask their guests to request for special songs, either as dedications or purely for entertainment. This ensures that the guests are entertained the entire time. In a Toronto wedding, the event planner may also give the wedding DJ a selection of appropriate music to play.

When picking music to be played at the ceremony, the bride and groom may choose to pick songs that have sentimental attachments to them. This could be songs they heard on their first date or the first song that they danced to together. This will create an atmosphere of familiarity for both the couples and the guests who know them on a personal level.

Another factor to consider is appropriateness. The music should be appropriate. One should consider the age of the different guests who will attend the Toronto wedding. There can be the elderly, middle aged, the youth and/or children. Different age groups prefer different kinds of music. The event planner should ensure that the wedding DJ plays appropriate music that will not make the guests feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, if the ceremony is taking place in church, the wedding DJ should take care not to play event music that is inappropriate for church nuptials. The same applies for traditional nuptials. This entails the DJ being versatile regarding various types of music.

The event music should also show the love that the bride and groom share. When the bride and groom sit down to pick music for their special day, they should include songs that reflect the emotions in their relationship. The guests should be able to relate to the couple’s feelings towards each other when they listen to the music.

Lastly, in Toronto weddings the Toronto DJ should play different kinds of music for the different phases of the ceremony. They should play appropriate music when the guests are coming in, during the Toronto wedding ceremony and during the reception. This helps to create the appropriate atmosphere for that particular phase of the ceremony. It also ensures that the music flows with the mood of the event in every level. Overall, the purpose of the music at any nuptials is to entertain. This is something that most professional wedding DJs know and understand.

Possibly because it taps into our emotions in a way that technology and science, which increasingly inhabit our lives, DO NOT.

Then again, perhaps music simply offers an escape from tensions of an increasingly pressurized society.

Too often, however, the repertory of the traditional theory programs strikes you as arcane, foreign (literally), and unrelated to the music that commands your day-to-day attention.

This situation has been a long time brewing, and it often leads students to question the relevance of music theory to their personal musical goals.

The result is a fundamental disconnect, and if students are not reachable, then they are not teachable.

An adult piano lesson program should attempt to bridge that disconnect by engaging YOU on a familiar ground (though music that surrounds YOUR daily life) and leading YOU toward the body of art music that comprises your heritage.

Part of this effort entails a recognition that popular music and jazz can be vehicles for conveying music of what traditional theory teaches and that apart from its own intrinsic merit that repertory can serve as a conduit to other musical styles.

WHY MUSIC THEORY?

Music has probably always come easily to you. I mean, you could always sing a Nursery Rhyme in tune when you were a child… you’re lucky!

If it has, then you probably have difficulty understanding how utterly mysterious it can be to others, that can’t sing in tune.

The fact is that the special mix of physical and mental attributes that translate into musical talent is a fit given to relatively few of the more than six billion inhabitants of this planet.

It makes you a member of a special group that sees and hears in music the things most others do not. Your decision to further you study of music indicates your desire to express yourself creatively.

MUSIC ENGAGES US PHYSICALLY

Music engages us physically (muscle memory and coordination are necessary to sing or to play an instrument) and mentally (we read music, we memorize it – we feel it).

Music theory aims to deepen our mental involvement. That’s necessary because to communicate all that YOU hear and FEEL in music, YOU need to understand it on may levels. A deeper and broader understanding will make you a more effective player.

MUSIC ENGAGES US EMOTIONALLY

Just remember, that human emotions are translated into musical motion. Our bodies express these internal feelings through posture, gestures, and movements of various kinds.

Some are automatic, spontaneous and others are the result of thought or will.

What is the first instrument that must be trained in music?

The human body!

Are you a bathroom singer like me? Oh! I don’t mean you are not a good singer. You are a good singer if you like to entertain yourself with good music. Maybe you cannot sing but that doesn’t mean you don’t like quality music! Rather, having ability to comprehend good music is a God’s gift to human beings. We taste music, we dance to music, and we live music! There is no part in the whole world where music is not liked. Different cultures and religions have their own musical charms since centuries.

No wonder the person who doesn’t like music is a non-living object according to many! And rightly so! However, the people who love music also have many problems pertaining to their love for music. Though most of the CDs and DVDs are available nearby us in shops, some CDs and DVDs have to be downloaded and for this, we need to search for good music download sites. No doubt, this is a tricky job and many of us get deceived because of our inability to choose the right site.

Why we get deceived?
•    We do not perform a comparative study of different music download sites
•    We do not understand the importance of some of the unique features of authentic download sites like 24-hour customer support, quality of music, price range, and other options like fast downloads, volume of song, etc, thus opting for site that doesn’t have these features
•    We do not find a site that gives comparative study of various sites at a glance

Whatever it is, at the end, we suffer because we opt for music download that is not worth of our time and space. After we download, we find many lacunae in the downloaded CDs or DVDs and later we repent for having opted for specific site. This is the reason to satiate our music buds, we need to search first for an authentic site that has good number of features mentioned above so that we experience quality download.

How comparative study helps us get good music download site?

The comparative study of different music download site helps us understand unique features of each site better. We tend to overlook certain features like quality of music and lifetime pricing unless we perform a careful comparative study. The study also helps us understand the loopholes of the sites from which we might have downloaded at times. This helps us avoid such sites in future too.

Though comparison helps us know better about cheap music download, it’s difficult to carry out comparative study without the help of someone who helps us achieve our goal. How good it is if some site helps us carry out the comparative study of different music downloads sites at a glance! Yes, there are sites which help us do this and make us understand the uniqueness of certain popular yet cheap music download sites like Flickr, Unlimited Download Center, Unlimited Media Access, and Klito Pro. Through this study, satiating our music buds is more authentic and pleasing our senses no doubt!  

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All experienced people proclaim one truth only viz. God is one and that to experience him there is only one path which involves understanding God’s teachings and imbibing them in one’s daily life. Yet in the gross, material world one sees something entirely different. We see differences as far as various names and forms of this world are concerned. Because of this visual difference different opinions are put forth which ultimately lead to bitter fights and strifes. Definitely we will have to accept that those who fight are totally ignorant of the true nature of God. Else it could also mean that these quarrelsome people have not found a true preceptor (Guru) who will help one overcome this differential viewpoint and reinstate us in that absolute principle of truth that is God wherein there is only oneness and no differences. It could further mean that if we have not met a preceptor in this material world we can attain our god via Gayatri Mahamantra which is the Guru-Mantra manifest. This helps a spiritual seeker to overcome differences based on names, form, various methods of worship so as to attain the divine wisdom of one soul (God) pervading the entire cosmos. We all are aware of this. According to the Gayatri Mahamantra : Where is God? The answer is “Om Bhur Bhuva Sva” meaning God pervades the earth, sky and cosmic space. What do you call him? He is beyond the difference of sexes i.e. he is neither a male nor a female. He is beyond all names and forms. What is his nature and how do you attain him? (Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahee). He is divine light and is easily attainable. What is our relationship with him? (Tat Dheemahi) Imbibe him as divine radiance in your psyche. What is its use – prayer? (Dheeyo Yona Prachodayat). May God induce our intellects to walk on the path of greatness.

Any capable Guru can endeavour to lead us towards divinity (God) with the help of this lucid aphorism. Thus the Gayatri Mantra too gives us this divine inspiration and along with this those who truly make efforts in this direction are given divine powers just like those possessed by a preceptor. As a result right since ancient times it goes beyond all sectarian differences and is hence established as a Guru-Mantra.

ANOTHER POINT TO NOTE

Gayatri is made up of 2 parts viz. Gaay (vital force) + Tri (protection). Gayatri is that which protects our vital force. The question arises as to when does one seek protection? It is very clear that when a devotee is involved in a major problem he seeks protection via prayers. What are those problems that one is forced to seek protection? When does one seek protection from Gayatri which is the primordial energy of divine consciousness? When consciousness flows in the sense organs made of the 5 elements it gets the power of mobility. No doubt the conscious flow of energy in our sense organs induces mobility in them yet one prays that the sense organs instead of moving in the direction of vileness should flow on the path of sacredness. Because the sense organs are inert in nature, they tend to stray in all directions. The soul in our body forgets that true joy is present in the life force itself. This joy tends to believe that the sense organs are its servants and instead of controlling what it had set out to control, it itself gets controlled by it. This is that very problem as a result of which our vital force gets agitated while seeking protection.

Gayatri science protects us from this illusion. Ratnakar, Dhruv, Prahlad, Angulimal radiated intense vital force. The preceptor gave a proper direction to these souls who were otherwise straying in a wrong direction or it can also be said that from the beginning itself their delusion was warded off. Adi Shankaracharya always visualizes the preceptor in this manner. And hence by calling such a preceptor “Always as Gayatri manifest”, Shankaracharya humbly bows down to the preceptor.

OUR GOOD FATE

If we witness it in the light of truth then we will realize that we are those extraordinarily fortunate people who have attained the Guru (Preceptor) as Gayatri and Gayatri as a Guru Mantra.

By itself spiritual seekers could avail of the Gayatri Mantra just like any other Mantra. But in this era it is only our revered Gurudeva i.e. Yuga Rishi Shriram Sharma Acharya who has made it easy for us to relate to God via an all-encompassing precept. Thus it is our good fortune that we have got the Guru Mantra in the form of the Gayatri Mantra.

In the same way Gayatri who is our preceptor too, is easily attainable by one and all. The members of the Gayatri Parivar know fully well that the great devotee of Gayatri viz. Mahatma Anand Swami would always stress that our revered preceptor is inseparable from Gayatri. Meaning both Gayatri and our preceptor are one both within and without. Swami Anand was a member of the Arya Samaj. He was highly revered in the Arya Samaj. Swami Anand was senior to our Gurudeva by 25 years. Yet he would always bow down to our Gurudeva (Shriram Sharma Acharya) who was not only younger in age but was also a householder and not a Sanyasi (mendicant). No doubt Swami Karpatri a revered figure of Sanatana Dharma disapproved of the Gayatri Mantra being given to one and all, yet he had told one of the Gayatri Parivar members that Shriram Sharma Acharya is the father of Gayatri in this era. In fact for his entire life he worked according to the precepts of Gayatri and when he gave up his mortal coil on the day of Gayatri Jayanti he merged into Gayatri. Hence it is indeed our great fortune to be associated with such a great exponent of Gayatri.

Adi Shankaracharya who looked upon Gayatri as an eternal preceptor always bowed down to Her. Eternal means that which cannot be limited by body, place and time. Even our revered Gurudeva spoke about himself thus. He opined that those who look upon me as divine energy and not a limited human body will attain the proximity of my true nature. Hence he also said do not make a statue of my body. Instead re-instate a flame torch which represents intense faith in God and a radiant, divine intellect. He further proclaimed that no one shall take up the position of a Guru (Preceptor) in the Gayatri Parivar after I give up my mortal coil. Those who will initiate others into the Gayatri Mantra and those who will perform those rites will only do so as my representatives. All this proves that he wished to re-instate Gayatri as divine energy and not as a limited image of name and form.

Our revered Gurudeva Yuga Rishi Shriram Acharya was Gayatri incarnate. Mother Gayatri who is Savita God’s divine energy pervaded every pore of his being. All his life he helped innumerable devotees to walk on the path of greatness. He was a master of Tantra Science. Yet he never had faith in exhibiting miraculous powers for name and fame. In fact as far as a true saint is concerned these miracles take place via his body as per God’s wish and whoever experiences it truly feels blessed. Our revered Gurudeva has taken many physical forms at various places with the help of his divine subtle body so as to be of help to his beloved devotees. A devotee attained his protection as per his individual destiny. If one’s destiny is very dire, a Guru definitely helps such a person to lighten his burden and by inducing the devotee to undergo minor pain, he is helped to attain salvation. We have the examples of innumerable individuals wherein more than 1 lakh people have challenged that in those days when the Guru did not meet anyone, they have met the Guru and for about 1-2 hours they sat in the presence of our revered Guru. These experiences could be true but if we try to find proof of it in the gross world we would fail miserably. For the lay public he was unavailable yet for his unswerving followers he made himself available.

THE SACRED SPEECH OF REVERED YUGA RISHI SHRIRAM SHARMA ACHARYA

In the silent cave of our minds echoes the divine speech of our Gurudeva Shriram Sharma Acharya. The sacred voice says – I am always with you. You may go anywhere, yet I will appear in your midst. I live only for you. I shall give you the fruits of my divine experiences. You are the wealth of my heart. You are the stars of my eyes. We are all one (merged) in God. I always experience oneness of soul with all of you. I never fear forcing you to enter the blazing fire of harsh struggles. This is because I am fully aware of your inner strength. I help you to experience one situation after another and yet my inner eyes are always watching you. Whatever is done by you is possible only in my hallowed presence.

Look intently for my wishes in my thoughts and in my literature. Imbibe those holy teachings in your daily life, because they were first given to me by my preceptor which I am faithfully passing on to you all. Visualize only that which is One. Only then will you experience that oneness in greater measure which can be experienced with infinite bodies of mine. You can only be my true disciple if you are alert, steadfast and devoted to my way of thinking. Between us all exists an infinite ocean of love. The bond between a Guru and his disciple is more firm than a thunderbolt. It is more powerful than death too. Never trust your wayward sense organs. This is because they always get agitated when faced with joy and sorrow. Go beyond all these dualities. While experiencing this truth O child, always remember that the sense organs always work against the direction of the soul. Hence always remain alert. You are the soul and not the body and hence an inseparable part of my very being. The body can vanish any moment. Truly, who knows this moment? Hence always visualize your goal. Fill your entire psyche with my way of thinking. Not at the time of death but in your moments of living, liberate and purify your mind. Hence even if death approaches you suddenly, you are ready for it with calmness. Hence live your life as though this very moment death is about to engulf you. Only then can you live a true life. Time is fast running away. If you immerse your mind in the thoughts of eternity and immortality, only then can you convert running time into eternity.

Everyone has to face a lot of struggle while walking on the path of ideals. Hence you too should bravely face all tests and calamities. Live a life of protection of God. If you truly depend on God, all your fears will vanish. You all are my children. Wherever you go, be it life or death, joy or sorrow, good or bad I shall always remain by your side. I always protect all of you. I love all of you because I am bound to you by your devotion. My love for God makes me one with you. I am your very soul, child! Your heart us my true residence. Hence why do you fear anything? Be brave and fearless.

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The house of dereon is one of the most popular clothing line in the world yet the most controversial. The house of dereon became popular not only because of its design, but also because of its founder. The house of dereon is a fashion clothing line that was founded by none other than the five time Grammy Award-winning American R&B singer Beyoncé Giselle Knowles.

Other than being a singer, songwriter, record producer, music video director, actress and dancer, Beyoncé Knowles is also known as a fashion designer. The house of dereon was founded and inspired by the three generation of Knowles, Beyoncé Knowles, Tina Knowles and Agnèz dereon.

The house of dereon style and concept is inspired by three generations of women in their family, with the name “dereon” paying tribute to Beyoncé’s grandmother, Agnèz Deréon. House of dereon was announced to the media in September on the year of 2004, by Tina and Beyoncé Knowles.

While Beyoncé was still performing in the group Destiny’s Child, her mother Tina would design outfits, especially when the group was first starting out and did not have much money or access to designer clothing lines. Part of what called attention to Destiny’s Child, besides their obvious talent, was their unique fashions.

The house of dereon style set them apart, yet gave the group cohesion as a similar style, color or garment was worn by all the members. The house of dereon was first introduced on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and on The Tyra Banks Show.

In an interview with Beyoncé on the Ebony Magazine, she said “I love the clothes from the ’70s, my mother’s clothes. I love clothes from the ’40s, my grandmother’s style, so elegant. We wanted to take elements from my grandmother’s legacy–the beaded lace, lush colors, fine fabrics–and mix them with clothes from my mother’s generation and my generation”. The house of dereon mixes hip-hop influences, such as its use of denim, with ultra feminine flourishes like embroidery and ruffles.

And because of this, the house of dereon has claimed the top spot when it comes to fashion clothing. If you want to know more about house of dereon, then visit www.streetzwear.com.

We all know that the house of dereon is one of the most stylish and fashionable clothing lines in the world, but what else do you know about the house of dereon? It’s a surprise of you don’t even know who founded the house of dereon. Well to those that don’t have any idea on who founded and when the house of dereon was founded, then here is a short introduction about the house of dereon.

As most of us know, the house of dereon was first introduced by the famous Beyoncé Knowles and her mother Tina Knowles. The The style and concept is inspired by three generations of women in their family, with the name “dereon” paying tribute to Beyoncé’s grandmother, Agnèz Deréon.

Back when Beyoncé Knowles was still on the Destiny’s Child, her mother Tina would design and sew their outfits, especially when the group was first starting out and did not have much money or access to designer clothing.

Part of what called attention to Destiny’s Child, besides their obvious talent, was their one-of-a-kind fashions. Their style set them apart, yet gave the group cohesion as a similar style, color or garment was worn by all the members.

Many appearance of the house of dereon has made the brand famous. It was first introduced on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The brand mixes hip-hop influences, such as its use of denim, with ultra feminine flourishes like embroidery and ruffles.

In an interview, Beyoncé revealed where she got the inspiration of the house of dereon. She said that the house of dereon was inspired from three generation of clothing line, the generation of her mother Tina Knowles and the generation of her grandmother Agnez Dereon.

“We wanted to take elements from my grandmother’s legacy–the beaded lace, lush colors, fine fabrics–and mix them with clothes from my mother’s generation and my generation.” Beyoncé said on one of her many interviews on the brand.

So if you want to know more about the house of dereon, you could always visit www.wikipedia.org, but if you want to know more about the apparels, then visit Streetzwear at www.streetzwear.com.

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Powerful forces at work

The concept of building a powerful self-image is a dynamic force and is vital in your quest for personal development and releasing for complete freedom. You must first gain an insight into who you are before you can identify what you are. Then you can take the next step into developing the person you aspire to be. Remember always, even though people are not capable of total self-evaluation, you must be honest and embrace the real you, don’t try to be someone else. As you delve deeper into your soul (inner person) you will evolve into your true self. Your whole outlook will become more positive and central. You will come to a realization that you are indeed created in God’s own image and as such have the potential for greatness. Greatness is begotten from the father and born of the child. If this were not so He would have told us differently. Soon you, in God’s image as a regenerated person, will come forward and the old suppressed person will simply melt away into a harmless memory of the past. In humans, transformation of mind comes with a deeper understanding of self and a closer relationship with God. .

Can create sickness

Many people, as perhaps you are, inflicted with a degenerative disease that permeates your total being. Since birth countless influences and pressures of your environment have controlled your true self. Your have become a product of your upbringing. In order to escape, you must gain the cooperation of those around you for support. Let them know you how important it is for you to change and you will no longer be the person you once were.

Stand on your own two feet

Your sincerity and determination will see you through. God wants you to stand on your own two feet and be an example of certainty on His behalf. You have to “kick the habit” so to speak. Life is indeed an implementation of habits. It’s easy to fall into the jaws of compliancy and spiral into mediocrity. You find yourself fighting for life as you drown in a pool of hopelessness. Life as it was meant to be, will escape you because you never heard her call for transformation. You must be reborn, with a new set of values and new outlook on life.

Do not compromise

Most people fail because this is a developmental process that takes a lot of effort. As you begin to experience success; the more successes you have the higher the perception of yourself will become and the more you will crave the enriching feeling of self-completion. In time your horizons will expand like never before. You will see things in a new and exciting light. Obstructions that have hampered your life will melt and disappear in time. Soon your success drive will be a natural function that will operate at optimum efficiency. Failure is not part of the human spirit; it is a false concept that keeps people in bondage to the captivating merchants of the material world. If a person believes he/she can’t be successful, then he/she will rely on worldly things to comfort or suppress the success drive.

“Advance, and never halt, for advancing is experiencing success. Advance I say, do not fear resistance for it is only thorns in the path and the blood they draw is minuscule and corrupt.”

Stay focused on God

Stay focused on God and build your self-image around that viewpoint. You’re your new self-image illuminate God? What is self-image? It is simply the capacity to merge into Jesus’ mannerisms and convert them to yourself, with the realization of knowing you are in control of your destiny. While God gives you destiny, He allows you control over it. Your ability to achieve and develop is a control process that you must master. The gift may come from God, but the implementation is ultimately up to you. God supplies the tools and knowledge but He won’t do it for you. In fact, no one will do it for you, nor will they care if you fail.

The fact is, it’s not who you are that holds you back it’s who you think you’re not.

And Success will be yours

You are not only created in God’s own image, you are created in his likeness; this is an extremely powerful physical force that has the ability to overcome all obstacles in conceiving plans that become realities of expression. Every possible element within God’s creation is available for your use in your quest for success. Success is God directed and expected of His Children. All the ingredients, physical and mental are supplied for your use. It’s up to you to sort out what to use and what not to use. Neither God nor any one else will do it for you. When you go to a library or log onto the Internet, all the information is there but you must sort through it and put it into use. It’s like baking a cake. First, you must have the desire to bake a cake. Second, you must have a game plan, or recipe. Third, you must follow directions, and fourth, complete the process. The best-laid plans are of no account without these ingredients for action.

As a child of God, you are constantly setting an example for others, in one form or another. You are continually moving going toward something, either success or failure. In everyday life all people experience successions of failure and successes. They are called, ups and downs, or valleys and plateaus. In one thing you may excel while in another you may struggle. This is because in the material world, external forces are exerted on you from all directions. In the spirit realm, everything leans toward success, while the material world leans toward failure. Overcoming the resistance of the material world is a matter of realizing where the resistance is coming from and neutralizing it.

Welcome to a sensational world

Everything on earth, action or visualization, influences or exerts force on something else. You must find out what is influencing you in making clear choices. Is it a person, old failures, or skepticism? Never forget who you are; a creation of God made in His image and His likeness. Armed with this knowledge, nothing can stand in your way. You have the power to overcome, achieve, if you can conceive it, and believe it, then you can achieve it. Do not allow someone or something hold you back from your aspirations. Old failures are dead; don’t carry around that which is dead. They are rotting, smelling, revolting, in your mind’s eye. You must awaken to follow your dreams, it’s what God wants and expects of you. Use God’s abundance, tools and knowledge, it’s unlimited and free for His Children. If you’re a person of God, you will understand if you are not it doesn’t matter, the same rules apply.

Happy Trails

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Applied Educational Research Journal (AERJ)

22 (3) 2009

Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged: An Epistemological, Philosophical and Comparative Treatment Based on the Theoretical Framework of the book Ways of Knowing Through the Realms of Meaning by William Allan Kritsonis, PhD

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to show how the writings of Ayn Rand can be understood and developed through the work of Dr. William A. Kritsonis utilizing the Ways of Knowing Through the Realms of Meaning.  In the literary masterpiece of Atlas Shrugged, Ms. Rand brings her philosophical views alive through the narrative of her story and the lives and dramatic events faced by each of her fictional characters.  Her views on objectivism, capitalism, and man’s inherent sexuality are only a few of the controversial topics discussed in her book and revealed poignantly through the themes and motifs of her stimulating and challenging novel, Atlas Shrugged.

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The First Realm:  Symbolics

            The first realm of meaning is symbolics.  “These meanings are contained in arbitrary symbolic structures, with socially accepted rules of formation and transformation, created as instruments for the expression and communication of any meaning whatsoever.  These symbolic systems in one respect constitute the most fundamental of all the realms of meaning in that they must be employed to express the meanings in each of the other realms” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 11).

            Atlas Shrugged is rife with symbolic communication.  Themes, symbols, and motifs add intrigue, interest and mystery to the writing style of Ayn Rand and lend credence to her literary expertise and philosophical ideas and beliefs.  The symbolism in Atlas Shrugged adds depth and complexity to her overall meaning constructs and analytical observations.

            One of the first and most obvious symbols of her novel is found in the title, Atlas Shrugged.  Atlas, in Greek mythology, held the burden of the heavens on his shoulder.  To John Galt, and the other societal producers, the weight of the world was placed on their shoulders as they bore the responsibilities of producing for a world deplete of reason, strength, and appreciation.

            The dollar sign becomes the symbol of a strike of the mind led by John Galt.  By each striker symbolically associating himself with the sign of the dollar, the strikers intuitively illustrate their belief in capitalism and the reward of the capitalists.  In Atlas Shrugged, there is no shame weighted with the possession of money.  Instead, it is seen as just compensation for productivity and creativity.

Another symbol inherent to the understanding of Atlas Shrugged  is the bracelet Rearden created using his new metallurgical discovery.  The bracelet is symbolic of Rearden’s entire life work and accomplishments.  The bracelet is beautiful, but unappreciated by his wife, just as the development of the new metal Rearden has created is seen as a threat to those who do not care for or appreciate ingenuity, creativity, and invention.  Despite the resistance that Rearden faced with his new discovery, the metal he conceived and developed is a beautiful representation of the practical beauty that can be found from one’s individual life work and commitment.

            Motors were also symbolic throughout the novel Atlas Shrugged.  The motor designed by John Galt had the power to harness energy and provide power to the world.  Without the motor, the world’s production would come to a halt.  It is symbolic of the power of the mind and how producers are needed in the world to power the creative thoughts and abilities of the true thinkers in order for the world to survive and become productively active and successful.

The Second Realm:  Empirics

            “The second realm empirics, includes the sciences of the physical world, of living things, and of man.  These sciences provide factual descriptions, generalizations, and theoretical formulations and explanations that are based upon observation and experimentation in the world of matter, life, mind, and society” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 12).

John Galt:  The Physicist     

In Atlas Shrugged, “one of the producers, John Galt, a titan among physicists, decides it is time for ‘the Atlases,’ the men who have carried the world on their shoulders to stop supporting [their] destroyers – to shrug” ( Moritz, 1982, p. 234).  His science has benefited the looters, those who live off of his own creativity and expertise.  In a decision to proliferate a strike of the mind, “he retreats with other ‘producers’ to a secret mountain citadel in Colorado.  There they remain until, in their absence, industry and trade grind to a halt and the collectivist social system collapses” (Moritz, 1982, p. 234).  With the collapse of the society that once was known, Galt gives a lengthy speech to tell the word that the fight is over.  “The road is cleared. We are going back to the world,” says Galt, as the elite band re-emerges and he, raising “his hand over the desolate earth….trace[s] in space the sign of the dollar” (Moritz, 1982, p. 234).

Biology

            Biology is the science of life.  For those who believe that man is nothing more than just a physical being without a soul or spirit, their conclusions are in-line with Dr. Pritchett, one of the characters in Atlas Shrugged.  “Man?  What is man?  He’s just a collection of chemicals with delusions of grandeur” (Rand, 1999, p. 131).  Those who espouse that man is nothing more than a metaphysical creation are less likely to believe in the supremacy of the soul and the virtue of spirituality that requires accountability and surrender to a life goal and pattern higher than one’s own self and being. Dr. Pritchett’s comments continue, “once he [man] realizes that he is of no importance whatever in the vast scheme of the universe, he will realize that no possible significance can be attached to his activities” (Rand, 1999, p. 132).

In Atlas Shrugged, abortion is mentioned as a right of the state.  The People’s State of Mexico wants to “raise everybody’s standard of living and provide a roast of pork every Sunday for every man, woman, child and abortion in the People’s State of Mexico” (Rand, 1999, p. 123).  At the first publication of Atlas Shrugged, abortion was illegal in the United States.  The debate for a “woman’s right” did not fully ensue in this country until the ruling of Roe vs. Wade in 1973.  This is another example of how controversial social issues were ingrained in the writings of Ayn Rand even before the issues reached a national level forum of discussion and debate.

Socialism

            Socialism is an “economic system in which government owns some factors of production and has a role in determining what and how goods are produced” (Clayton, 1995, p. 567).  In Atlas Shrugged, socialistic ideas began to emerge that threatened the capitalistic way of life.  Those who bought into the socialist way of life included those who supported a new government initiative entitled the “Equalization of Opportunity Bill.”  This bill’s purpose was to put limits on capitalistic production, therefore limiting creative capitalists and entrepreneurs from becoming too powerful or wealthy.

            The “Equalization of Opportunity Bill” also sought to put limits on the output of the creative, literary mind.  Balph Eubank, a literary leader of his time, was in favor of the “Equalization of Opportunity Bill”.  “Certainly, I approve of it.  Our culture has sunk into a bog of materialism.  Men have lost all spiritual values in their pursuit of material production and technological trickery…so we ought to place a limit on their material greed” (Rand, 1999, p. 133).  Eubank was willing to surrender his creative mind to the state.  “It would work very simply,” said Eubank.  “There should be a law limiting the sale of any book to ten thousand copies…If people were forbidden to buy a million copies of the same piece of trash, they would be forced to buy better books” (Rand, 1999, p. 134). 

            In the United States, citizens are encouraged to improve upon inventions, create new horizons, and develop new services and products that will benefit mankind.  Without the motive of profit, many of our greatest inventions and accomplishments would likely not have been achieved.  Rand is against socialistic societies that take away the rights of the individual for the watered down benefit of the masses who choose not to produce or create to their highest and fullest potential.

Communism

Karl Marx authored The Communist Manifesto in 1848.  He divided society into two groups.  The first group was the proletariat.  These were the people with no means of production who owed their livelihood to the second group in society, the bourgeoisie, better known as the capitalists.  His division of society is analogous to the two major groups “at war” in Atlas Shrugged, the looters and the strikers.

            The looters were people who did not use their own creativity or power to create wealth.  They were totally dependent upon the creative thinkers in the world, which later became known as the “strikers of the mind.”  The strikers were those who created, built, and engineered the framework for modern society.  In Atlas Shrugged when the “strikers of the mind” left society, society as it was known previously collapsed.

            Theoretical communism states that if everyone were equal, “everyone would produce to the best of their abilities, and everyone would consume to the extent of their needs” (Clayton, 1995, p. 476).  However, in today’s society, communism has proven itself to be a dismal failure.  In a pure Communist state, a man or woman’s career is chosen for that particular individual at a young age.  Regardless of their ability or ambition, there is “equality” in pay for all.  Educators, doctors, lawyers, garbage men, and street sweepers are all equal.  When a person is not challenged according to their own individual talents and creative potential, production will decrease.  Without hope of achieving any significance in one’s life work, society itself would be reduced to a mindless, wondering proletariat under a repressive and dictatorial form of government.

When the government owns the means of production, there is no incentive for creativity.  Everything is done in the name of progress.  The government leadership, which holds power with an iron hand, prohibits success to anyone who wants to succeed or profit outside of the veil of government interventions and legalities.

Capitalism

            Capitalism could be considered one of the most fundamental disciplines in the realm of the social sciences.  Capitalism is considered a virtuous pursuit by Rand and many of her primary characters in the novel.  Atlas Shrugged espouses the virtues and benefits of a pure capitalistic society and seeks to enunciate and pronounce these values succinctly throughout the novel, espousing the virtues of capitalism and the power of the mind.

            Paramount to the perfect society John Galt believed would exist when the producers were in charge is the concept of “free trade and free minds” (Rand, 1999, p. 1067).  Rand defines capitalism as “a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned” (Uyl and Rasmussen, 1986, p. 173).  

            “One of the unique features of Rand’s defense of capitalism is that she neither considers capitalism a necessary evil (as do many conservatives) nor tries to defend it simply in terms of the benefits it produces, as do many economists” (Uyl and Rasmussen, 1986, p. 173).  Rand sees capitalism from a moral perspective that supersedes capitalism for purely monetary reasons and then becomes a mantra for a philosophical way of life that focuses on intelligence, rationality, and reason. 

            “The moral justification of capitalism does not lie in the altruist claim that it represents the best way to achieve ‘the common good’…The moral justification of capitalism lies in the fact that it is the only system consonant with man’s rational nature, that it protects man’s survival qua man, and that its ruling principle is justice” (Uyl and Rasmussen, 1986, p. 173).           

In Atlas Shrugged, John Galt believes that a collective society will include those who are willing to work and enjoy the fruits of their own labors.  He predicts the demise of a system led by looters.  In its place he sees a society that believes in the individual and the contributions that individuals can make to their world and society.  Not willing to let looters into this new world who are not committed to his goals and philosophical bent,  John Galt opens the door of invitation and hospitality only to those who would choose to espouse the virtues of an individualistic, capitalistic society.

            To those who were willing to commit to a renouncement of their looting mentality, Galt states, “when the looters’ state collapses, deprived of the best of its slaves….We will open the gates of our city to those who deserve to enter, a city of smokestacks, pipe lines, orchards, markets and inviolate homes……With the sign of the dollar as our symbol – the sign of free trade and free minds – we will move to reclaim this country once more from the impotent savages who never discovered its nature, its meaning, its splendor.  Those who choose to join us will join us; those who don’t will not have the power to stop us; hordes of savages have been an obstacle to men who carried the banner of the mind” (Rand, 1999, p. 1067). 

            “The conduct of the market may be greatly facilitated by the use of money, that provides a convenient medium of exchange…From the standpoint of understanding and control, the use of money is of far-reaching importance, for it permits economic activity to be measured mathematically.  Because of the money system, qualitative preferences can be quantitatively assessed, and the powerful resources of mathematical computation can be brought to bear on the study and management of economic processes” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 266).

            John Galt’s symbol of the dollar was a rallying cry for the producers to produce and to fall in line with the pseudo-religion of wealth and prosperity based on one’s individualistic ability to produce and his or her enjoyment of such activities.  For Galt and his followers, this was success and the true essence of life.

            To reiterate the value of a thinking society, John Galt speaks to the looters in regards to what the retreat of reason, thought, and creativity had brought to the world through the strikers of the mind.  “If you want to know what you lost when I quit and when my strikers deserted your world—stand on any empty stretch of soil in a wilderness unexplored by men and ask yourself what manner of survival you would achieve and how long you would last if you refused to think, with no one around to teach you the motions, or, if you chose to think, how much your mind would be able to discover….ask yourself whether you would be able to discover how to till the soil and grow your food…then decide whether men of ability are exploiters” (Rand, 1999, pp. 1048-1049).

Feminism 

            To those who were led to believe that a capitalistic society was an evil commodity, Dagny Taggart was a symbol of everything that was wrong with a society based on capitalism and productivity.  She was a woman, who for some, had overstepped the bounds of societal acceptability in the fact that she had not chosen to marry or to establish a traditional home, which was such a prevalent mainstay of most homes during the time of the initial writing of Atlas Shrugged.  Balph Eubank looked upon Dagny as “a symptom of the illness of our century….Machines have destroyed man’s humanity…There’s an example of it—a woman who runs a railroad, instead of practicing the beautiful craft of the handloom and bearing children” (Rand, 1999, p. 138). 

            In Rand’s writing, marriage is not a value that is esteemed, as evidenced in the marriage of Hank and Lillian Rearden.  Lillian despises her husband and his work.  Hank merely tolerates his wife.  It is not until he meets Dagny, that he finds someone who will share his love and appreciation for his work and life goals and accomplishments.

Affairs are not considered inappropriate in Rand’s writings. Fidelity is not considered a virtue. There is not a long term, committal approach to marriage and sexual activity.  In addition, children were never mentioned in the text of Atlas Shrugged.  In Rand’s world, if literature truly reflects life, children would have been a burden and therefore something that she would not have chosen to have or to commit to.

The Third Realm:  Esthetics

            “The third realm, esthetics, contains the various arts, such as music, the visual arts, the arts of movement, and literature” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 12).  By seeing the artistic qualities of a literary work, meaning and understanding can be enhanced and deepened for a more intuitive and firmer grasp of the specific meanings and nuances of a particular work of literary genius and artistic quality.

Art

            “Ayn Rand held that art is a “re-creation of reality according to an artist’s metaphysical value judgments.  By its nature, therefore, a novel (like a statue or a symphony) does not require or tolerate an explanatory preface; it is a self-contained universe, aloof from commentary, beckoning the reader to enter, perceive, [and] respond” (Rand, 1999, p. ix).

            When Rand talks about a self-created universe, she is mirroring her philosophical view of writing.  Rand was able to create a reality of her own choosing through her penned imaginations and her creative expressive abilities and expertise.  She was able to create images through the written word and convey meanings and philosophical content through her own literary artistic talents and skills.

Music

            Richard Halley is Dagny Taggart’s favorite composer.  He is a masterful musician with a bent toward writing beautiful concertos and operas.  At the age of 24, Halley’s first opera “Phaethon” was performed.  He met with wide spread humiliation and professional disfranchisement by the critics when his opera was booed and heckled by patrons of his first musical debut.

            On his second debut, years later, he met with the success he had longed for since his youth.  However, shortly after receiving a rave review of his musical composition’s performance, Halley disappeared.  It was another example of a producer leaving the “world” to go to the “perfect world” of the intellectual elitists who retreated to a distant place which came to be known as John Galt’s gulch, a place where men could be productive using their own talents and gifts, whatever they may be, for their own personal pleasure, development, and reward.

Literature

            Atlas Shrugged is a mixture of genres and literary devices that combine a fluid story of romance and love based on Ayn Rand’s most basic philosophical beliefs.  “Atlas Shrugged is more myth than novel.  Miss Rand’s heroes and heroines are godlike creatures who, in their leviathan strength, resist the wickedness of the pernicious weaklings around them and achieve their ends at will” (Riley, 1975, p. 423).

            Reason and rationality were together the basis for the novel Atlas Shrugged.  Before ever starting a novel, “Ayn Rand wrote voluminously in her journals about its theme, plot, and characters” (Rand, 1999, ix).  In her journal writing for Atlas Shrugged, Rand demonstrated “her mind in action, confident even when groping, purposeful even when stymied, luminously eloquent even though wholly unedited.  These journals are also a fascinating record of the step-by-step birth of an immortal work of art” (Rand, 1999, p. ix).

            “Ayn Rand’s basic purpose as a novelist was to present not villains or even heroes with errors, but the ideal man—the consistent, the fully integrated, the perfect”  (Rand, 1999, p. xii).  The perfect man in Atlas Shrugged is John Galt.  He is heroic in nature and a “towering figure who moves the world and the novel” (Rand, 1999, p. xii).  Galt is truly a man for all seasons and times and is pivotal to the story and philosophical views found in Atlas Shrugged. 

Rand relates to each of the characters in the book in different and distinguishing ways and presupposes characteristics for each figure involved in the novel.  Ideas personified are”for Dagny-the ideal; for Rearden-the friend, and for Francisco d’Anconia-the aristocrat; to James Taggart-the eternal threat; and to the Professor – his conscience” (Rand, 1999, p. xiii). 

            Rand’s writings have given impetus to philosophies and objectives that have inspired many to take a new look at different opportunities and options to personal fulfillment and success.  Rand herself concedes that she seems “to be both a theoretical philosopher and a fiction writer” (Rand, 1999, xiv).  Rand wrote for discovery.  “For my purpose, the non-fiction form of abstract knowledge doesn’t interest me; the final, applied form of fiction does.  I wonder to what extent I represent a peculiar phenomenon in this respect” (Rand, 1999, xiv).  Rand also believed that she was much like her character, John Galt.  “He is a combination of an abstract philosopher and a practical inventor; the thinker and the man of action together” (Rand, 1999, xiv).

            For Rand, her writing was romantic.  In writing, Rand chose to make characters either “black or white” from the context of their commitment to their own moray of values, ethics, and lifestyles.  Therefore, characters became a mirrored version of her own reality and of society as she perceived it to be.

The Fourth Realm:  Synnoetics

            The fourth realm is synnoetics.  “Meanings in the synnoetics realms are subjective (and inter-subjective), concrete and existential” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 430).  Synnoetics is relational.  There are two fundamental concepts within this realm that provide a deeper understanding of man and his interaction with his world and those individuals who become a relational part of that world.  The “I-It” relationship is how we respond to inanimate and worldly manifestations and structures.  The “I-Thou” relationship is how we interact and re-act to those around us.  Sexuality can be classified as an “I-Thou” phenomenon in the form of proper relationships and attributes.

From a Freudian perspective, “the source of instinctual energy (particularly the sexual energy or libido) is the id.  The id is regarded as part of the unconscious, an aspect of the personality below the level of the conscious mind” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 413). Relationships between Dagny and those she chose to commit herself to were below the level of the conscious mind.  Where reason stopped, passionate relationships began.

In Atlas Shrugged, there are several love interests with the main female character of the novel, Dagny Taggart.  These relationships are each viewed from a different perspective based on Dagny’s work and relationship to each man she committed herself to, even if only for a brief period of time.

Lifetime commitments were never a conditional part of Dagny’s intimate relationships.  For the most part, her relationships were based first on common interests and goals, then on romantic passion and desire.  Her love interests included Hank Rearden, John Galt, and Francisco d’Anconia. 

The Fifth Realm:  Ethics

            Ethics, according to Dr. William A. Kritsonis, is that which “includes moral meanings that express obligation rather than fact, perceptual form, or awareness of relation” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 13).  Morality, according to Dr. Kritsonis, is simply that “which reflects inter-subjective understanding.  Morality has to do with personal conduct that is based on free, responsible, deliberate decision” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 13).

            Rand’s view of morality is exonerated by her impressive portrayal of John Galt’s impassioned views about morality expressed during his long and elaborate discourse on morality and objectivism.  “A rational process is a moral process.  You may make an error at any step of it, with nothing to protect you but your own severity, or you may try to cheat, to fake the evidence and evade the effort of the quest—but if devotion to truth is the hallmark of morality, then there is no greater, nobler, more heroic form of devotion than the act of a man who assumes the responsibility of thinking” (Rand, 1999, p. 1017).

            For John Galt, reason was the moral basis of all life.  “My morality, the morality of reason, is contained in a single axiom:  existence exists-and in a single choice: to live.  To live, man must hold three things as the supreme and ruling value of his life:  Reason-Purpose-Self-esteem.  These three values imply and require all of man’s virtues, and all his virtues pertain to the relation of existence and consciousness:  rationality, independence, integrity, honesty, justice, productiveness, and pride” (Rand, 1999, p. 1018). 

            Rand does not believe man has a moral responsibility to his or her neighbor.  This tenet of Rand’s ethical theory appears at first glance to be harsh and uncaring.  John Galt restated Rand’s theory of isolation and moralism and held that such attributes were proper and appropriate in his own world view.  “Do not say that my morality is too hard for you to practice and that you fear it as you fear the unknown.  You kept sacrificing your virtues to your vices, and the best among men to the worst.  This dismal wreckage, which is now your world, is the physical form of the treason you committed to your values, to your friends, to your defenders, to your future, to your country, to yourself”  (Rand, 1999, p. 1060). 

            The question might be raised, “When do the needs of others supersede one’s own needs and desires?”  According to Rand in her book, The Virtue of Selfishness, there are times when she believes that it is acceptable to help others.  “Any action that a man undertakes for the benefit of those he loves is not a sacrifice if, in the hierarchy of his values, in the total context of the choices open to him, it achieves that which is of greatest personal (and rational) importance to him” (Rand, 1964, p. 51).

             Ethical and moral decisions each have their own consequences.  Rand also believes that in all ethical decisions, the ultimate choice of what is right or wrong lies with the individual.  She believes that “the moral purpose of a man’s life is the achievement of his own happiness” (Rand, 1999, p. 55).  Selfishness, therefore, remains a strong foundational principle of Rand’s ethical and moral philosophical basis for her idyllic view of society and life.

The Sixth Realm:  Synoptics

            Synoptics refers “to meanings that are comprehensively integrative” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 13).  Synoptics covers the realms of “history, philosophy, and religion” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 13).  Understanding the synoptic realm of meaning in these fields allows a continuity of understanding that helps to develop a deeper meaning and understanding of the specific work studied.

History

            Historical parallelisms can be found in the story of Atlas Shrugged and important events in our own country’s history.  In 1939, Albert Einstein informed President Franklin D. Roosevelt that the Germans had the makings of an atomic bomb.  The first country to develop this method of mass destruction would be at a decisive advantage in the framework of global dominance and power. 

Einstein in someway parallels the strikers of the mind when he decides to leave Germany and begin his new work in the United States.  Just as John Galt did not want unthinking men to reap the benefits or responsibilities of his own creative genius, Einstein did not want the Germans, who he considered a danger and threat to the known world, to have the power of the atomic bomb.

 Unthinking men with this unpredictable form of new power could cause grave destruction and chaos to the known world.  Einstein knew this and made the decision to join forces with the United States in order to give his power and creative genius to a country that would be responsible and prudent in its dealing with this new form of power and technology.

Another historical parallel can be noted when the People’s State of Mexico promises a “roast of pork every Sunday” (Rand, 1999, p. 123).  This is analogous to the campaign promises of Franklin D. Roosevelt when he advocated that lack and poverty would soon be a thing of the past.  He promised a “chicken in every pot” to every American who would believe in and support his bid for the presidency of the United States of America.

Philosophy

            “Philosophy provides analytic clarification, evaluation, and synthetic coordination of all the other realms through a reflective conceptual interpretation of all possible kinds of meaning in their distinctiveness and in their interrelationships” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 13).   Ayn Rand believed that righteous self-interest superseded all morality and goodness.  She “challenged the prevalent philosophies of our time with objectivism, a ‘morality of rational self-interest’ repudiating all forms of altruism, including religion, as ‘collectivist’ traps incompatible with a free society” (Moritz, 1982, p. 331). 

When writing Atlas Shrugged, “Ayn Rand had to go beyond ethics: she had to originate a new system of philosophy, identifying the nature of man’s means of knowledge and of the universe he seeks to know” (Hull and Peikoff, 1999, p. 290).   Ms. Rand’s philosophical bias lies with her theory of objectivism.    Her philosophy of objectivism is mirrored in the pages of the novel Atlas Shrugged.  Her philosophy is based essentially on the selfishness and individuality of the person who chooses to take responsibility for his or her actions and be responsible for their own view of personal happiness and success.

            “My philosophy in essence,”  Miss Rand has said, “is the concept of man as a heroic being with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only guide” (Moritz, 1999, p. 332).  Ayn Rand’s philosophy of objectivism states that “reality exists as an objective absolute, reason is man’s only means of perceiving reality, man is an end in himself, and the ideal political-economic system is a laissez-faire capitalism” (Ayn Rand Institute, 1996).  John Galt’s speech in Atlas Shrugged reflects Rand’s philosophical bent toward her reasoned stance on objectivism and its value to a coherent and productive society.

Rand’s Objectivist Philosophies

In the novel, Atlas Shrugged, John Galt’s perception of the world around him conceptualizes Ayn Rand’s objectivist’s views and philosophies.  Therefore, it is important to see how her actual stated philosophical views are reflected in the fictional writings of Atlas Shrugged.  Each axiom can be seen through the eyes of her created, heroic character, John Galt. 

Objectivist Axiom #1:  “Reality exists as an objective absolute—facts are facts, independent of man’s feelings, wishes, hopes or fears” (Ayn Rand Institute, 1996).  In Atlas Shrugged, John Galt states, “Reality is that which exists; the unreal does not exist; the unreal is merely that negation of existence which is the content of a human consciousness when it attempts to abandon reason.  Truth is the recognition of reality; reason, man’s only means of knowledge, is his only standard of truth” (Rand, 1999, p. 1017).

Objectivist Axiom #2:  “Man—every man—is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. He must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life” Ayn Rand Institute, 1996).  Happiness, therefore, as explained through the words of John Galt “is the successful state of life.  Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values” (Rand, 1999, p. 1014).

Objectivist Axiom #3:  “The ideal political-economic system is laissez-faire capitalism. It is a system where men deal with one another, not as victims and executioners, nor as masters and slaves, but as traders, by free, voluntary exchange to mutual benefit. In a system of full capitalism, there should be (but, historically, has not yet been) a complete separation of state and economics, in the same way and for the same reasons as the separation of state and church” (Ayn Rand Institute, 1996).

      John Galt’s perception of the ideal political-economic system saw the ultimate view of man as one who was totally in control of his life and work.  He believed that “every man is free to rise as far as he’s able or willing, but it’s only the degree to which he thinks that determines the degree to which he’ll rise” (Rand, 1999, p. 1064). However, Galt holds disdain for those who benefit from the contributions of those who have reached their potential and exist at the top of the intellectual and creative pyramid of intellect and creative knowledge and power, and yet do not produce themselves.  

“In proportion to the mental energy he spent, the man who creates a new invention receives but a small percentage of his value in terms of material payment, no matter what fortune he makes, no matter what millions he earns” (Rand, 1999, p. 1066).  Therefore, in Galt’s mind, as well as Rand’s, there is a disproportionate reward for those who create and for those who simply partake of the intellectual creativity of others.

The motto for Galt’s objectivist theory is found at the end of his infamous and revealing speech which epitomized his views on society, life, objectivism, and the reasons for his departure from the world, even if only for a short time.  “You will win when you are ready to pronounce the oath I have taken at the start of my battle—and for those who wish to know the day of my return, I shall now repeat it to the hearing of the world:  “I swear by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine” (Rand, 1999, p. 1069).

Galt’s speech is totally aligned with Rand’s basic philosophy of the nature and purpose of selfishness in one’s personal, as well as corporate life.  “Since selfishness is ‘concern with one’s own interests’, the objectivist ethics uses that concept in its exact and purest sense.  It is not a concept that one can surrender to man’s enemies, nor to the unthinking misconceptions, distortions, prejudices and fears of the ignorant and the irrational.  The attack on selfishness is an attack on man’s self-esteem” (Rand, 1964, p. xi). This attack on one’s self-esteem was not an attack that John Galt chose to let emerge in his own personal life.  Therefore, he retreated in order to gain supremacy over his own life, creative thoughts and abilities.

            Selfishness to Rand and to Galt was not something to be avoided.  Selfishness was to be embraced and celebrated.  Rand’s views were that the attack on selfishness was “an attack on man’s self-esteem; to surrender one, is to surrender the other” (Rand, 1964, p. xi).  As Galt’s final self-interest led him to retreat from a society he believed was comprised of moochers and looters, he demonstrates fully his philosophical and moral agreement with Rand that the idea and practice of selfishness as a virtue should be lauded and held high in the realms of intellectual honor and esteem.  

Galt, although not a philosopher by trade, influenced his generation through his own philosophic thought and commitment to his ideas. His contributions thereby exceeded those that only a scientist could bring forth.    “Perhaps the greatest contribution of the analytic philosophers is their personal witness to the importance of meaning and their faith in the possibility of making meanings clear” (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 73).  Galt contributed, in essence, new meaning and life through his innovative leadership and objective philosophies and intellectual premises and pursuits.

Religion

            Ayn Rand was a self-proclaimed atheist.  Her “god” was the capitalistic society where each man produced from his own individualism and creativity.  Worshiping a god, such as the Christian God, was to Miss Rand a representation of naïveté and a misunderstanding of the essential purpose of life. 

            In the Christian gospel, the value of the individual is paramount.  Whether rich or poor, well-known or hidden from the vastness of society and its existence, Christianity presupposes the value of the individual.  God, as Creator, values the individual and provides a way of redemption for his creation to ensure their eternal happiness, reward, and eternal longevity which are ensured to those who believe in Him and trust in His providence and guidance throughout life with the hope of securing a future and destiny in-line with God’s purposes and design.

            For Rand, the individual who does not conform to her romantic idealized version of life is potentially unworthy of respect or consideration.  This view could have influenced her view of abortion and the rights of the unborn, who at birth are truly “non-producers” and who are totally dependent on someone else’s care, generosity, and commitment   To Rand, “an embryo has no rights.  Rights do not pertain to a potential, only to an actual being.  A child cannot acquire any rights until it is born” (Hull and Peikoff, 1999, p. 337).  Rand’s view of abortion is that it is a “moral right which should be left to the sole discretion of the woman involved” (Hull and Peikoff, 1999, p. 337). 

            It is interesting to note, that in Atlas Shrugged, sexuality is not mentioned as a form of pro-creation, but simply as an act of encounter that does not require continual commitment or a dedication to a relationship that has the ability to transcend time and become an integral party of one’s entire being and ultimate life legacy. 

            Rand’s ideology is in many ways in direct contrast to Christian values and virtues.  Christianity espouses the centrality of a triune God who is benevolent and caring to the population of mankind.  In contrast, Rand’s god was materialistic.  Rand’s heroic characters were those who lived for themselves.  Dagny Taggart’s sexuality was in direct contrast to the Christian teachings of morality and purity.  Where Christians are admonished to “die to one’s self”, Rand encourages the “self-life.”  However, Rand’s writings do give the astute student of philosophy a chance to compare and contrast the values of the world and therefore choose for oneself their own vision of morality and justice.

Concluding Remarks

            In conclusion, Atlas Shrugged is a novel based on the importance of rationality and man’s own individuality and freedom of choice.  There are ten major issues which are discussed in the novel and that lend credence to Rand’s philosophical views which include the purpose of life and man’s destiny and responsibilities for individualized happiness and success.  Ten prominent themes outlined in Atlas Shrugged  include, but are not exclusive of: (1)  Rand’s theory of objectivism (2) capitalism (3) socialism (4) communism (as seen through the division of labor (i.e., the looters and the strikers of the mind)  (5) feminism (6) a woman’s right to choose (7) man’s spirituality (8) man’s sexuality (9) art in literature and life and (10) the historical parallels of Atlas Shrugged with actual historical events.  By reading Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, readers can gain a new appreciation of her philosophical and literary contributions to our society and how their applications to everyday life and academic study can enhance one’s search for knowledge utilizing the comprehensive framework of the Ways of Knowing Through the Realms of Meaning.

References

Clayton, G. (1995). Economics, principles and practices (pp. 476, 567). New York: McGraw Hill. 

Hull, G., & Peikoff, L. (1999). The ayn rand reader (pp. 290, 337).  New York: Penguin Putnam, Incorporated.

Kritsonis, W.A. (2007).  Ways of knowing through the realms of meaning (pp. 11, 12, 73,266,413,430).  Houston, Texas: National Forum.

Moritz, C. (1982).  Current biography yearbook (pp. 234,331,332).   New York:

The H.W. Wilson Company.

Rand, A. (1964). The virtue of selfishness (pp. 51, 55, xi, xii).   New York: Penguin Putnam, Incorporated.

Rand, A. (1996). Ayn rand institute for the center on objectivism. Retrieved November 17, 2006, from aynrand.org

Rand, A. (1999). Atlas shrugged (pp. ix, xii, xiii, xiv, 55, 123, 131, 132, 133, 134, 138, 1017, 1018, 1048, 1049, 1060, 1064, 1066, 1067, 1069).  New York:  Penguin Putnam, Incorporated.

Riley, C. (1975).  Contemporary literary criticism (p. 423).  Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Company.

Uyl, D. J. and Rasmussen D. B. (1986). The philosophic thought of Ayn Rand (p. 173).  Chicago, Illinois: Illini Books.

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Forms of Domestic Violence and Development of

Women through Education

INTRODUCTION

            However much a mother may love her children, it is all but impossible for her to provide high-quality child care if she herself is poor and oppressed, illiterate and uninformed, anemic and unhealthy, has five or six other children, lives in a slum or shanty, has neither clean water nor safe sanitation, and if she is without the necessary support either from health services, or from her society, or from the father of her childen.
                                                          – Vulimiri Ramalingaswami, “The Asian Enigma”

            Women constitute almost half of the population in the world. But the hegemonic masculine ideology made them suffer a lot as they were denied equal opportunities in different parts of the world. The rise of feminist ideas has, however, led to the tremendous improvement of women’s condition through out the world in recent times. Access to education has been one of the most pressing demands of theses women’s rights movements. Women’s education in India has also been a major preoccupation of both the government and civil society as educated women can play a very important role in the development of the country.     

·                     India has world’s largest number of professionally qualified women.

·                     India has largest population of working women in the world.

·                     India has more number of doctors, surgeons, scientists, professors than the US.

What is Domestic Violence?

            Domestic violence is controlling behaviour and includes all kinds of physical, sexual, economic, psychological and emotional abuse within all kinds of intimate relationships. The perpetrators of domestic violence or abuse are usually men and the victims or survivors are usually women and children that they know. It includes:

• Punching and slapping.

• Kicking and hair pulling.

• Biting and pinching.

• Pushing and shoving.

• Being forced to have sex.

• Being beaten or cut with other objects.

• Disrespect, neglect and emotional blackmail.

• Verbal abuse and swearing.

• Being prevented from going out or seeing people – being isolated.

FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The following are the forms of Domestic Violence:

1.      Physical Abuse

2.      Sexual Abuse

3.      Psychological Abuse

4.      Emotional Abuse

5.      Financial Abuse

1. Psysical Abuse:     

            Physical abuse is the most visible form of abuse and most likely (with sexual abuse) to give rise to criminal charges. Injuries include black eyes, cut lips, bruising, fractures, deafness, blindness, internal bleeding, missing teeth, persistent ill health, miscarriages, and injuries to a foetus and death. Injury sites are often concealed by clothing or hair. It can include slaps, shoves, pushing, being thrown across the room or down the stairs, kicking, stamping, strangulation, burns and scalds, being attacked with weapons such as knives, household objects, firearms etc internally as well as externally.

2. Sexual Abuse:

            Sexual Abuse in an abusive relationship is another form of violence, control and degradation. It includes rape, sexual assaults (including with implements),enforced prostitution, enforced sexual practices including being forced to watch or engage in pornography.

3. Psychological Abuse:

            Psychological abuse examples include “Jeckyll and Hyde” behaviour, preventing contact with friends and families, constant belittling and humiliating things being said, claims that children will be removed if anyone is told of abuse, controlling behaviours, deliberately enforcing dependency, constant statements that the victim is mentally ill etc.

4. Emotional Abuse:

            Emotional abuse is an attack on victims’ personality and well being and is often described as worse than physical violence. It may be referred to as “mind-games”. It frequently amounts to the abuser assuming a tight and unhealthy control of all members of the family, which may become increasingly isolated in the community.

            Examples include threats of violence to all members of family, constant criticism of the victim saying she is ugly, ignorant or worthless, using the children as ammunition, family life and mood being dictated by abuser (abuser-centric) continual questioning, humiliation in public, playing on community and cultural fears, threats to have the children removed, threats to kill or have deported, threat that the abuser will commit suicide, threats and actual violence to family pets etc.

5. Financial Abuse:

            Financial Abuse is essentially the deprivation of and / or the control of money whether earned or benefits.

            An abuser may refuse to pay bills or prevent the victim from having any control over the family finances. The abuser may steal money belonging to the victim or children. Essential services such as gas and electricity may be cut off. The mother may be forced to support the children solely on what she can earn without assistance or child benefit if this is claimed by the abuser. An abuser may deliberately spend money on himself or sell the woman’s possessions and family furniture.

CRIME AGAINST WOMEN IN INDIA

·        One crime against women every three minutes

·        One rape every 29 minutes

·        One dowry death case every 77 minutes

·        One case of cruelty by husband and relatives every nine minutes

·        Once suicide every 4 hours

Source: National Crime Records Bureau

The main problems of Indian women:

·         Malnutrition: India has exceptionally high rates of child malnutrition, because tradition in India requires that women eat last and least throughout their lives, even when pregnant and lactating. Malnourished women give birth to malnourished children, perpetuating the cycle.

·         Poor Health: Females receive less health care than males. Many women die in childbirth of easily prevented complications. Working conditions and environmental pollution further impairs women’s health.

·         Lack of education: Families are far less likely to educate girls than boys, and far more likely to pull them out of school, either to help out at home or from fear of violence.

·         Overwork: Women work longer hours and their work is more arduous than men’s, yet their work is unrecognized. Men report that “women, like children, eat and do nothing.” Technological progress in agriculture has had a negative impact on women.

·         Unskilled: In women’s primary employment sector – agriculture – extension services overlook women.

·         Mistreatment: In recent years, there has been an alarming rise in atrocities against women in India, in terms of rapes, assaults and dowry-related murders. Fear of violence suppresses the aspirations of all women. Female infanticide and sex-selective abortions are additional forms of violence that reflect the devaluing of females in Indian society.

·         Powerlessness: While women are guaranteed equality under the constitution, legal protection has little effect in the face of prevailing patriarchal traditions. Women lack power to decide who they will marry, and are often married off as children. Legal loopholes are used to deny women inheritance rights.

            India has a long history of activism for women’s welfare and rights, which has increasingly focused on women’s economic rights. A range of government programs have been launched to increase economic opportunity for women, although there appear to be no existing programs to address the cultural and traditional discrimination against women that leads to her abject conditions.

GOVERNEMNT ROLE TO MINIMIZE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN INDIA

            Overall, a crime against women is committed every three minutes in India, according to India’s National Crime Records Bureau. Despite the scale of the problem, there had been no specific legislation to deal with actual abuse or the threat of abuse at home. Domestic violence, under the new law, includes “actual abuse or the threat of abuse whether physical, sexual, emotional or economic,” a statement from the federal ministry of women and child development said.

            “We have been trying for long to protect women from domestic violence. In India alone, around 70% of women are victim of these violent acts in one or the other form,” junior minister for women and child development Renuka Chowdhury told the Press Trust of India news agency. They say a bill alone will not help in preventing domestic abuse; what is needed is a change in mind sets.

            In January 1992, the National Commission for Women (NCW), was set up as a statutory body under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 ( Act No. 20 of 1990 of Govt.of India ) to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women; recommend remedial legislative measures, facilitate redressal of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

            There are so many government and non-government organizations are working for the benefits of women. Both Central and State governments are continuing so many programmes for the development of women in the country.

 DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH EDUCATION

            You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women.
                                                                                                                 - Jawaharlal Nehru

Female Literacy in India:

            According to last census held in 2001, the percentage of female literacy in the country is 54.16%. The literacy rate in the country has increased from 18.33% in 1951 to 65.38% as per 2001 census. The female literacy rate has also increased from 8.86% in 1951 to 54.16%. It is noticed that the female literacy rate during the period 1991-2001 increased by 14.87% whereas male literacy rate rose by 11.72%. Hence the female literacy rate actually increased by 3.15% more compared to male literacy rate.

Factors Responsible for Poor Female Literacy Rate:

Historically, a variety of factors have been found to be responsible for poor female literate rate, viz.

·         Gender based inequality.

·         Social discrimination and economic exploitation.

·         Occupation of girl child in domestic chores.

·         Low enrolment of girls in schools.

·         Low retention rate and high dropout rate.

The main strategies adopted by the Government for increasing female literacy in the country include:

1.      National Literacy Mission for imparting functional literacy

2.      Universalisation for Elementary Education

3.      Non-Formal Education

History of Women’s Education in India: Although in the Vedic period women had access to education in India, they had gradually lost this right. However, in the British period there was revival of interest in women’s education in India. During this period, various socio religious movements led by eminent persons like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar emphasized on women’s education in India. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Periyar and Baba Saheb Ambedkar were leaders of the lower castes in India who took various initiatives to make education available to the women of India. However women’s education got a fillip after the country got independence in 1947 and the government has taken various measures to provide education to all Indian women. As a result women’s literacy rate has grown over the three decades and the growth of female literacy has in fact been higher than that of male literacy rate. While in 1971 only 22% of Indian women were literate, by the end of 2001 54.16% female were literate. The growth of female literacy rate is 14.87% as compared to 11.72 % of that of male literacy rate.

Importance of Women’s Education in India: Women’s education in India plays a very important role in the overall development of the country. It not only helps in the development of half of the human resources, but in improving the quality of life at home and outside. Educated women not only tend to promote education of their girl children, but also can provide better guidance to all their children. Moreover educated women can also help in the reduction of infant mortality rate and growth of the population.

Obstacles: Gender discrimination still persists in India and lot more needs to be done in the field of women’s education in India. The gap in the male-female literacy rate is just a simple indicator. While the male literary rate is more than 75% according to the 2001 census, the female literacy rate is just 54.16%. Prevailing prejudices, low enrollment of girl child in the schools, engagements of girl children in domestic works and high drop out rate are major obstacles in the path of making all Indian women educated.

            According to the Women and Child Development study, 45 percent of Indian women are slapped, kicked or beaten by their husbands. India also had the highest rate of violence during pregnancy. Of the women reporting violence, 50 percent were kicked, beaten or hit when pregnant. About 74.8 percent of the women who reported violence have attempted to commit suicide. It shows the importance of education. Educated woman has more strength and power to face the challenges when compared to uneducated woman.

            Kumud Sharma of the Centre for Women’s Development Studies in New Delhi traced the correlation between education and domestic violence to patriarchal attitudes. “Educated women are aware of their rights,” she said. “They are no longer willing to follow commands blindly. When they ask questions, it causes conflicts, which, in turn, leads to violence. In many Indian states, working women are asked to hand over their paycheck to the husband and have no control over their finances. So, if they stop doing so or start asserting their right, there is bound to be friction.”

            It is necessary to establish some more colleges and universities in India.  The number of Residential Schools for SC/ST and BC’s is not sufficient today. So, increase the number of these schools in the both rural and urban areas. Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. Take care about future generation. Then only India will become developed country in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

            Now we are living in the modern and technological world. Women are also entering in all the fields like men for doing job. Educated women have better opportunity compared to uneducated women in the society. They are facing so many problems in the society. With the help of education and law and order it is easy to escape from those problems. So it is necessary to educate all types of women in the society. Education gives strength, wealth, health and power to the individual.

 According to Swami Vivekandanda:

“We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind increased and intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one’s own feet”.      

            The plight of women in medieval India and at the starting of modern India can be summed up in the words of great poet Rabindranath Tagore:

“O Lord Why has you not given woman the right to conquer her destiny?
Why does she have to wait head bowed,
By the roadside, Waiting with tired patience,
Hoping for a miracle in the morrow?”

References:

1.      National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2001). The National Reading Panel: Reports of the Subgroups.

2.      UNESCO Institute for Statistics: Literacy rates, youth (15-24) and adult (15+), by region and gender (September 2006 Assessment).

3.   Child and Women Development Report, (2006), Ministry of Women and Child  

      Development, Government of India, New Delhi.

4.    National Family Health Survey, (2006), Government of India, New Delhi.

5.    National Crime Records Bureau, (2007), Government of India, New Delhi.

6.   Census of India, (2001), Government of India, New Delhi.

.

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Inculcation of Human Values through Education with the Help of Science and Technology

INTRODUCTION

“If human values take root in the educational system, the emerging individuals will have the following attributes:

 They will want peace & justice in a world that acknowledges the rule of law and in which no nation or individual need live in fear;

Freedom and self reliance to be available to all;

 The dignity & work of every person to be recognized & safeguarded;

 All people to be given an opportunity to achieve their best in life; and

 They will seek equality before the law and the equality of opportunity for all”. 

Sathya Sai

           Now we are living in the Modern, Scientific and Technological world. Science and Technology have brought enormous changes in the society. The attitudes of the people are also changes in the day to day life of human beings.

             Man is a unique creation in this universe that under certain parameters is free to make his own destiny. Now, if man has to make his destiny, the question of values in life comes up. He has to think naturally as to what should be the guiding norms of life process. It is therefore clear that the guiding factors for man, which provide the prime motivating force behind his thought, emotion and action, have to be moral and spiritual. The socio-cultural and spiritual life of man has to bring peace, progress and welfare for both the individual and the society. This is precisely the reason why the modern society is worried about the deterioration of values.

            Having diagnosed the present problem, we have to find the remedy for this situation before there is further deterioration of values in the wider interest of the mankind. With the help of Science (Exhibitions) and Technology (Print & Electronic Media and Mass Media) including social awareness programmes we can inculcate the values in the people.

IMPORTANCE OF VALUES

            In today’s multi-cultural and multi-racial society, with its changing social norms and expectations, it can be difficult for a young person to know what is right. To enable young people to appreciate themselves and others, and to take greater responsibility for their actions and for the world around them. Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Puthige Math has said that it is necessary to give importance to human values in the present era of globalization.

CLASSIFICATION OF VALUES

In generally, values may be classified as;

Ø      Personal Values

Ø      Social Values

Ø      Moral Values

Ø      Spiritual Values and

Ø      Behavioural values.

All these values are necessary for all types of persons in the society.

INCULCATION OF VALUES THROUGH EDUCATION          

Thinking with love is truth
Feeling with love is peace
Acting with love is right conduct
Understanding with love is non-violence
-Sathya Sai

            According the Sathya Sai Baba the following five values are necessary for students.

v     Right Conduct

v     Peace

v     Truth

v     Love

v     Non-Violence

            These values are specific because they are in line with a human being’s make up. They are also heavily interrelated (e.g. right conduct is action with love and according to conscience).These five values are inter-related and inherent in human beings, raising them above the level of the animal kingdom.

Right Conduct

            Information is received through the five senses i.e. smell, taste sight, touch and hearing. When this information is referred to the conscience, the resulting action will be beneficial. Every action is preceded by thought. If the thought is consciously seen and noted, aims to help and is unselfish, the action will be good for oneself and others. If our mind is busy, or we are daydreaming, the action may be useless, clumsy or harmful to ourselves or others.

            Right conduct is also concerned with how we look after and use our bodies. The body needs to careful maintenance to be strong, healthy and well co-coordinated to serve us in performing the tasks of life. Students need to understand the importance of exercise, such as gymnastics, yoga and sports combined with good rest. Good thoughts and good company (which includes everything imbibed by the five senses) are essential for healthy and well balanced development. Right conduct is taught through: Silent Sitting, Story telling and Group Activities.

Values Relate to Right Conduct

Self-help Skills

·        Care of Possessions

·        Diet

·        Hygiene

·        Modesty

·        Posture

·        Self-reliance

·        Tidy appearance

Social Skills

·        Good behaviour

·        Good manners

·        Good relationships

·        Helpfulness

·        Not wasting

Ethical Skills

·        Code of conduct

·        Courage

·        Dependability

·        Duty

·        Efficiency

·        Ingenuity

·        Initiative

·        Perseverance

·        Punctuality

·        Resourcefulness

·        Respect for all

·        Responsibility

Peace
            We smile when we are happy and contented. Contentment is gained when we cease to want for us all the apparent ‘good’ things conveyed to us through our five senses. When our willpower is sufficiently strong to enable us to discern the difference between real needs and superfluous desires, we cease to be driven by the urge to own more and more things.

            Inner agitation stops and we are left feeling peaceful. When there is peace in the individual, there will be peace in the family. When there is peace in the family, there will be peace in the community. In order to learn, self-esteem, calmness and freedom from anxiety are necessary.

            These qualities are fostered by two of the Programmes components, namely silent sitting and the self-reflective exercises in some of the group activity sessions.

Values Related to Peace

Ø      Attention

Ø      Calm

Ø      Concentration

Ø      Contentment

Ø      Dignity

Ø      Discipline

Ø      Equality

Ø      Equanimity

Ø      Faithfulness

Ø      Focus

Ø      Gratitude

Ø      Happiness

Ø      Harmony

Ø      Humility

Ø      Inner silence

Ø      Optimism

Ø      Reflection

Ø      Satisfaction

Ø      self-acceptance

Ø      Self-confidence

Ø      Self-control

Ø      Self-discipline

Ø      Self-esteem

Ø      Self-respect

Ø      Sense control

Ø      Surrender

Ø      Understanding

Ø      Virtue

Truth

            The desire to know truth has prompted mankind to ask some of the great questions such as: Who am I? What is the purpose of life? How can I know my inner self/ God/ the Creator of the universe? How can I live fully in the present moment?

            Learning to speak the truth is a first and vital step in the formation of a strong character. Voicing an untruth is an anti-social act and causes confusion in the mind of both the speaker and listener and leads to anti-social behaviour. Telling lies hurts us as well as others in a subtle, but very real way.

            One great distinction between humankind and the rest of the animal kingdom is the ability to choose how to behave, rather than just to follow the lower instincts (the law of the jungle). A human being is also able to recognize past, present and future and to take note of changes occurring over time.

            A quotation used in the lesson to stimulate thought and questions may later come to mind to provide guidance and choice in a life situation. Short Term Pain for Long Term Gain: Choosing to refer to this higher level of awareness and to consciously exercise moderation in our behaviour leads to better health and greater contentment. The value of truth can also be taught through story telling which promotes curiosity, optimism, fairness to all and noble ideals. It also aids the understanding of the value of honest speech and self-analysis.

Values Related to Truth

o       Accuracy

o       Curiosity

o       Discernment

o       Fairness

o       Fearlessness

o       Honesty

o       Integrity

o       Intuition

o       Justice

o       Optimism

o       Purity

o       Quest for knowledge

o       Reason

o       Self Analysis

o       Self Awareness

o       Sincerity

o       Spirit of enquiry

o       Synthesis

o       Trust

o       Truthfulness

o       Determination

o       Unity of thought

o       Word and deed

Love

            Love is not an emotion, affected by the sub-conscious mind, but is a spontaneous, pure reaction from the heart.

            It is the power of love which causes one person to wish happiness for another and take pleasure in their well-being. A beneficial energy (love) is directed towards the other person. As this energy flows through our own body first, it also enhances our own health.

It is the power of love which causes one person to wish happiness for another and take pleasure in their well-being. A beneficial energy (love) is directed towards the other person. As this energy flows through our own body first, it also enhances our own health. Love is unconditional, positive regard for the good of another. It is giving and unselfish. Love is essential if children are to grow up healthy in mind and body. Love is the unseen undercurrent binding all the four values.

            When the mind is turned away from selfishness, the ‘heart’ opens, and love flows. Love is energy, not an emotion, and is inherent in every breath. It is the motive force of the physical body and is enhanced through breathing exercises. The component of group singing in the Programme promotes harmony, co-operation and joyfulness. In singing a child may experience the sweetness of love. Love may also be fostered through story telling and activities which provide young people with the opportunity to care for other people, animals, plants and objects.

Values Related to Love

§         Acceptance

§         Affection

§         Care

§         Compassions

§         Consideration

§         Dedication

§         Devotion

§         Empathy

§         Forgiveness

§         Friendship

§         Generosity

§         Gentleness

§         Humanness

§         Interdependence

§         Kindness

§         Patience

§         Patriotism

§         Reverence

§         Sacrifice

§         Selflessness

§         Service sharing

§         Sympathy

§         Thoughtfulness

§         Tolerance

§         Trust

Non-Violence

            For the non-violent person, the whole world is his family When the former four values are practiced (i.e. the conscious mind is keenly aware, love is flowing, there is peace and actions are right) life is lived without harming or violating anything else. It is the highest achievement of human living encompassing respect for all life -living in harmony with nature, not hurting by thought, word or deed.

            Non-violence can be described as universal love. When truth is glimpsed through intuition, love is activated. Love is giving, rather than grasping and in allowing our stream of desires to subside, inner peace develops and right conduct is practiced. This results in nonviolence i.e. the non-violation of the natural laws which create harmony with the environment.

            Non-violence is taught through quotations, story telling and group activities. True knowledge is that which establishes harmony and synthesis between science on the one hand and spirituality and ethics on the other.

Values Related to Non-Violence

Psychological:

v     Benevolence

v     Compassion

v     Concern for others

v     Consideration

v     Forbearance

v     Forgiveness

v     Good Manners

v     Happiness

v     Loyalty

v     Morality

v     Universal Love

Social:

v     Appreciation of other cultures & religions

v     Bother/Sisterhood

v     Care of Environment

v     Citizenship

v     Equality

v     Harmlessness

v     National Awareness

v     Perseverance

v     Respect for Property

v     Social Justice

            Spiritual knowledge is also very importance for students and people in the society. Living in a way which causes as little harm as possible to oneself, other people, animals, plants and the planet, is a sign of a well-integrated, well-balanced personality. Such a person is well tuned to the spiritual aspect of humanity and is in touch with an inner happiness which is permanent and part of one’s real nature.

It is through our universal or spiritual aspect that we may experience:

Ø      A feeling of awe and wonder for the universe

Ø      A feeling of the unity of all

Ø      The desire to improve the quality of life for everyone

Ø      A sense of being part of a larger whole

Ø      A feeling of oneness of the planet and love for everything on it

Ø      An awareness of an underlying order to Creation

Ø      Love and respect for the diversity of the human family

            Learning takes place through lesson plans based on practical, meaningful and fun activities using the five components of:

Stories – about life, identity & relationships;

Quotations, poems and prayers;

Songs and music;

Silent sitting – exercises leading to inner calm and peace;

Activities e.g. drama, discussion, games, role play, community service, etc.

            In working through the lessons that comprise these components, the importance of the triple partnership (Student, Teacher and Parents) for education becomes apparent:

·         Teachers will inspire children in their schools, if they are value conscious adults

·         Parents’ example affects the conduct of their children, and

·         Children when reaching a certain age need self-discipline to balance their generally natural exuberance.

CONCLUSIONS

            According to our Indian tradition and culture teacher is the third God. He has a pivotal role in the process of teaching and learning. He is a guide, philosopher, mother, father, god, architecture and model. Education is the solution for all types of problems. With the help of education we can solve any types of problems in the society. Through education it is easy to inculcate values in the students and in the people. Without human values we can’t survive in the world in the peaceful manner and we can’t enjoy life. So give importance for human values.

Reference:

1.      Value Education, Dr. Venkataiah, Editor, APH Publishing Corporation, 5, Ansari Road, Daryaganji, New Delhi – 110 002, First Edition, 1998.

2.      Value Education in India, Usha Rai Negi, Editor, Published by association of Indian Universities, AIU House, 16 Kotla Mark, New Delhi – 110 002, 2000.

3.      National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2000). The National Reading Panel: Reports of the Subgroups.

4.      www.sathyasaiehv.org.uk/

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