The illuminated ascent of men and women to a higher level of consciousness leads to the transmutation of society, thus altering the trends of time and creating a new, better world. This is the goal of the New Era.
-Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya.
The ultimate root cause of all social problems resides in the level of consciousness of those whose actions contribute to the problem’s creation. In order to have a substantive long-term impact on a social problem, it must be addressed at the level of its root cause within the inner dimensions of the consciousness of those who cause the problem.
As per Yugrishi - "If we want to express the basis of era transformation in a single word, that word would have to be 'bhavsamvedena'".
'Bhavsamvedena' is not easy to match with a workable English equivalent. Roughly speaking, it is an emotional faculty at the core of the human consciousness, which when activated makes it impossible for a person not to help those in need. It is said that one whose bhavsamvedena is awakened is pierced to the core of his or her being by the sufferings of others.
Because this faculty is at the core of human consciousness, it governs the other faculties.
Yugrishi explains the dominance of bhavsamvedena with regards to the internal workings of humankind: “The human consciousness is governed at the subconscious level by the emotions, the deep aspirations and the core beliefs of the individual. The most refined form of these we can call the bhavsamvedena that dwells at the core of human consciousness."
There are many ways of argue in favor of the Transformational Approach to social change, but perhaps the most simple is based on the understanding of human behavior as resulting from the condition of the core of human consciousness. In this way, the Transformational Approach is essentially an “Inside-out” approach, or an understanding of human psychology in which deeper or more interior states of the human sub-consciousness are considered to govern the more shallow or outer states of consciousness. This approach to human psychology is the basis of the social theory that YugRishi Acharya Shriram Sharma describes below. - IN THE WORDS OF YugRishi ACHARYA SHRIRAM SHARMA
Why has such a degraded environment emerged at the very moment that our progress has reached its peak? After some consideration, we can see that intellectual deviation alone has led to our current fearful state. Then should the intellect be condemned? No, the intellect is governed by the intuitive emotions. When the human heart loses its sensitivity, whatever we encounter as well as the way we govern our actions will become bleached of all sensitivity and tenderness.
Because emotional sensitivity (bhavsamvedana) is so close to the root of our being, when there is a distortion at this level, our wisdom becomes degraded and misfortune and poverty must arise. So we have to make a great effort to change. The floor of the pond needs cleaning. The mud on the bottom has settled a bit, but still the water on the surface is not fit to drink. Now we are surrounded by the energy of negative thoughts. In this environment, our emotional sensitivity will decline, at which point, the only results we can achieve will be unwholesome and degraded.- Revival of Satyug, Chapter Five
---
If the treasures of intellect, science and wealth were used for generous purposes, we could be living at a time in which all people are enjoying lives blossoming with happiness and laughter. But what can we make of the ironic connection between the growth in expertise and the conspiracy to oppress the poor and further enrich the wealthy.
This cold-hearted behavior is a symptom of the deep-rooted karmic recordings within the core consciousness of every individual. By making a correction at this level, one can guarantee a transformationtowards higher thinking, character and behavior. - Revival of Satyug, Chapter Six
--------
When a mother-like-love rises up and reaches the pinnacle of human consciousness, then a person can think only of altruistic service to others and nothing else. When this state is reached by all, even those problems that agonize and terrify society will not continue. - Revival of Satyug, Chapter Eight, ShriramSharma Acharya
-----------
State of mind is the origin and creator of all circumstances. This truth should be understood a thousand times and explained a thousand more. The conscious mind and the human intellectual faculties are not free agents. They are governed at the subconscious level by the emotions, the deep aspirations and the core beliefs of the individual. The most refined forms of these we can call the intuitive emotions that dwell in the individual’s core consciousness.
This concept of reality is so far-reaching that it implies that, even in the face of all of our adversities and weaknesses, a person can transform himself and, in so doing, the whole world. This model implies that in order to address our current crisis, a farsighted wisdom must be introduced, cultivated and sustained in the minds of all. If there is any solid foundation for the 21st century’s bright future, it will be built out of the transformation of the bhavsamvedana of every individual. This must take place to the extent that every individual feels that all of the peoples of the world are his or her own, and that, reciprocally he or she belongs to all
Revival of Satyug, Acharya Sharma, Chapter Seven
-------------
The first and most important task before us is self-refinement and self-development. For this we will have to first identify and focus our attention on the central root that directly or indirectly governs the course of our lives. Think and ponder over what really makes one what one is as a person? It is the force of the intrinsic tendencies of the mind. The hidden desires activated by these tendencies drive the mind and generate the corresponding currents of thoughts and trigger the brain for matching actions. Although the conscious mind appears to be our decision maker and manager with the brain being its counterpart at the level of the physical body, the real ruler is our unconscious mind. The intrinsic impressions on it are so intense that these block even the voice of the soul. So, for self-refinement and self-transformation, it is essential that we first purify our inner self, especially the unconscious mind, reign in its passions and control its wayward tendencies that dominate our desires, thoughts and actions. Transformation of the central root will immediately transform our life.
For Pillars of Self-Development, Acharya Sharma, Translation of “Atmonnati Ke Chara Âdhara,” a discourse delivered in 1980.
---------
Others feel like our own when our sense of self-identity expands. People in a sober state of mind will neither cause nor accept harm to their own family. If this degree of compassion could expand to include all of society, then one’s conscience would become restless long before allowing one to cause harm to another. Warm-hearted people will not willingly engage in actions that cause their hearts to harden and grow cold. The sense of belonging felt by those who, rather than becoming like machines, have infused their thinking with their core consciousness will cause them to feel a persistent sense of restlessness to help others with empathy and compassion.
Revival of Satyug, Acharya Sharma, Chapter Eight
-------
The body performs actions and the mind develops the plan according to which these actions are performed. But the process that fuels the body and mind with the inspiration and energy begins at the inner depths of an individual’s core consciousness. In a similar fashion, the source of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions lie deep below the Earth’s surface. Nor do we see the vapor that rises from the oceans that later manifests as rain in our fields and farms.
The same dynamic holds for the prevalence of the positive and negative circumstances around us. Body and mind are seen busy planning and executing actions. But if you want to know the foundations of these systems, then you must know that the strings of our body-mind complex are pulled by the deep-seated ambitions in the core of our consciousness.
Revival of Satyug, Acharya Sharma, Chapter Eight
-------------
This effort to bring about personal transformation may be thought of as the real work of transforming the era.
Everyone knows that capability does not always yield positive results. In fact, it is the misuse of talent, power and wealth that has created the problems we now confront. Over and above these three, there is a fourth power that governs them all. That is the power of the tender and open heart. When, by divine grace, openness is infused into human consciousness, it brings a profound sense of wellbeing and transforms the human being into a divine ambassador. When such a state is reached, a person is no longer swayed by temptation, greed or social pressure. So, we can say that it is on the basis of tender heartedness alone that the human being is enriched and imbued with divine virtues.
If we want to express the basis of era transformation in a single phrase, that phrase would have to be “emotional sensitivity.” In the days to come, we will need to remove callous self-interest, and in its place, inculcate open heartedness into the inner core of the human consciousness.
Revival of Satyug, Acharya Sharma, Chapter Three
----------
Those whose innate tendency and destiny it is to give selflessly are truly the angels of this earth. Not only are people of this sort angelic, but the whole environment where they work and collaborate can also be called an Earthly Heaven. Even if there is no place that corresponds to the stereotypical notions of Heaven, these environments can rightly be called an Earthly Heaven and the present day replication of the.“
Era of Truth.Revival of Satyug, Acharya Sharma, Chapter One