19-200-0407

Universal Human Values

Dr. P.Mythili

B.Tech. Electronics and Communication

School of Engineering,
Cochin University of science and Technology
 Peer Pressure
The Concern and its Resolution
 Review of Home Assignment
Continuous happiness from feelings from others? From
physical facility?
(like attention from others – family, friends, etc.)
(like addictions – food, social media….)

We seem to have a deep desire to belong. We want to be

accepted and respected by our peers

In this session, we want to explore how we go about this.

 Life with Clarity of Basic Aspiration (Goal)
(1) Our basic aspiration (human goal) is very clear – the destination is
fixed
(2) We know our current state (right evaluation) (1)-Basic
(3) We plan steps that connect and lead to Aspiration
the fulfillment of basic aspiration g g
hi n
i n Fulfilling
– direction is definite t h
me et g life
g so som thin
o in me me
g, d eco o so r t  To BE always
kin o b t/d ffo
i n t g e f e happy and
Th pect to o
• Ex pect t ion prosperous
• x r e c
E D i
• 3) -
(
Our basic aspiration is definite
It does not keep changing
(2)-Current State (It seems to be the same
 Transformation = Holistic Development
1
RIGHT UNDERSTANDING
in the self

2 3
RELATIONSHIP
with human PHYSICAL FACILITY
being with rest of nature

Living in Harmony Living in Harmony

with human being with rest of nature

MUTUAL HAPPINESS MUTUAL PROSPERITY

?
RIGHT UNDERSTANDING

ss
in the self

re
og
Pr
? 1
RELATIONSH PHYSICAL

n&
IP with human FACILITY
being with rest of nature
io
at
rm

DEPRIVATION
o

UNHAPPINESS
sf

Making others Unhappy Exploiting and Depriving

an

others
Current State
Tr

– Where we
are
𝐻𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝐵𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔= 𝑆𝑒𝑙𝑓 ( 𝐼 ) 𝐶 𝑜 − 𝐸𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐵𝑜𝑑𝑦
↔

Need Happiness (e.g. Respect) Physical Facility (e.g. Food)

In Time Continuous Temporary
In Qualitative (is Feeling) Quantitative (Required in
Quantity Limited Quantity)
Fulfilled Right Understanding & Physio-chemical Things
By Right

Activity Imagination (Desire, Eating, Walking…

Thought, Expectation), …

In Time Continuous Temporary

Peer Pressure in the New Environment
When students join college, they are mostly on their own,
without parental oversight and have to fit in with the new
environment
• They may be comfortable with their mother-tongue, but students who talk
in English are given more attention
• They may be used to speaking without expletives (abusive meaningless
words) , but senior students freely use abusive language
• Similarly with clothes, hairstyles and so many things…
There is a perceived pressure to conform (peer pressure)…
 Concern
We want to be accepted by others
We think that we will be accepted
when we are like them or better
than them – in how we look, how
we dress, how we talk, what we eat,
what we drink, etc.
So, there is a pressure to be like
them or better – in appearance,
clothes, language and expression
(e.g. English), etc.
This is part of the peer pressure
Even the other is in the same
state Asking for being accepted
by you!
How we go about it
1. Copying – we give in to peer
pressure
• We copy their do’s and don’ts
(appearance, language, lifestyle,
etc.)
• We let the other decide for us
(though we may or may not be
comfortable with their choice)
• We keep accepting wrong notions
(based on preconditioning),
because we don’t have the practice,
self-confidence of verifying things
(notions) on our own right !
2. Arbitrariness – we rebel
• We do our own things, do whatever
we like
• We reject the other
Resolution – Explore if This is What you
Really Want
There is a third option:
3. Right Understanding
Verifying things on your own right:
•On the basis of your natural
acceptance and
•On the basis of validating by living
accordingly (experiential validation)
If our sense of belongingness is on the
basis of understanding (human
being…), then it is permanent and with
all
(we feel comfortable with all)
Verify on your own right:
Language is only a means of
communication (what is communicated is
more important than language,
expression)
Speaking in a particular language ensures
your respect? Continuously, with all?
Clothes are for the protection of the
Body
Can you get respect by wearing a certain
type of clothes? Continuous, from all?
Rather. wearing exclusive clothes may
lead to jealousy
Human Being = Co-existence of Self(I)
and Body
Human being is a co-existence of Self
(I) and Body
Need of the Self (I) is happiness
• which is fulfilled by Right
Understanding & Right Feelings
(like feeling of respect)
Need of the Body is physical facility
• which is fulfilled by Physio-
chemical things (like food)
Both needs have to be fulfilled
separately
Today, we seem to be neglecting the
need of the Self
If we assume that happiness may be
ensured by favourable feeling
from others, we try to get these
feelings from them by way of:
1. Being ahead of others - (in terms
of appearance, clothes, language
& expression- English, money
etc)
2. Seeking alikeness belongingness
with a specific group (because
others are doing it/ having it, so
should I)
These two become the major
sources of peer pressure
What is Naturally Acceptable to
You? What is the Solution?
Copying – adopting Arbitrariness Right Understanding
Living on the basis of Living on the basis Living
(some do’s & don’ts) of one’s own likes- on the basis of one’s
dislikes natural acceptance
Indefinite conduct Indefinite conduct definite conduct

Sometimes “happy” Sometimes “happy” Always happy

Sometimes “sad” Sometimes “sad”

Decided by other Rebel Self-organised

“Peer Pressure” “Reaction”
 Concerns Resolution of Concerns
Coming out of stress
Generally, we try to address
Managing pressure of academics these piecemeal. We make
Time management effort for personality
Entertainment development, stress
Sensual desires management, memory
Domination of females by males enhancement, anger
Pressure of placement management and so on.
Overcoming –ve thinking
Attending classes Should education help us to
Peer pressure resolve our concerns?
Temptations
Anger • One concern at a time?
Depression or
Suicidal thoughts • Holistically by ensuring right
We want to resolve our concerns understanding + right skills?
 Assuming Human Being = Body 
Focus on Physical Facility
?
RIGHT UNDERSTANDING
in the self

For animals:
? 1
PHYSICAL necessary & largely
RELATIONSHI FACILITY adequate
t
ge ight
P with
?) et m withn rest of For human beings:
g n, human m uit being
t o r y g fro tio t?
in tio fro tin to s nsa innature necessary but not
y g s o
Tr ten gs con yin ine se n p adequate
at elin rs ( Tr pp ing tio )
fe he ha eas fac ity?
ot pl atis inu
UNHAPPINESS (s ont DEPRIVATION
C
Making others Unhappy Exploiting and
Depriving others
Explore if This is What you Really Want
1
RIGHT UNDERSTANDING
in the self

h an
t al
e c
or ysi of g
2 3 e
m h y
p a d in
r
g PHYSICAL nsu ired by wn, lea e)
)
Feeling el i n RELATIONSHI
h t E qu ty io f l
- Trustfe rig FACILITY re cili ct g o s ib
h t f
- Respecto n
P with fa odu lin ty pos
g
r-i …sis g human i
l e) being with rest of pr fee eri ty
re a i n p ui
su b nd sib nature to s
o tin
e s r
En th rsta p o p on
on de elf ity (c
un e S inu
th ont
(c
MUTUAL HAPPINESS MUTUAL PROSPERITY
Questions
Home Assignment
 Home Assignments

5.1. Explore if ensuring right understanding and right feeling within

could be a holistic, long-term solution to concerns like peer
pressure, self-confidence etc.

5.2. How, in your opinion, does understanding help in clearly

identifying the meaning of full human potential (Hint: right
understanding and right feeling in the Self + a healthy body)