Introduction

This lecture presents a few salient concepts of Jeevan Vidya (JV). The most salient of all the concepts of JV is the distinction between “I” and “body”. Without this basic distinction it is impossible to proceed further in self-exploration. As long as man identifies with his physical body only and decides his future plan to meet the needs of the body only there is no human value. This lecture explains that human beings are more than bodies. This also explains the concepts of right understanding, natural acceptance and self-exploration. It may be noted here that all these concepts are closely linked with each other. One finds that there is a distinction between “I” and “body” only when one indulges in self-exploration. This self-exploration is a never ending process. It begins but never ends. Once it starts it continues. The lecture also sheds light on some commonly used terms in JV discourse as they are used in a very specific sense there. Finally, it deals with four orders of nature: Material Order (Padartha Avastha); Pranic Order (Prana Avatha); Animal Order (Jeeva Avastha); and Human Order (Gyana Avastha). According to JV the last of these orders, i.e., Human Order is inclusive of all the previous orders but has some unique traits also. It is characterized by composition and decomposition, response and growth, selection in “I”and thinking, desire and the will to live with happiness and understanding.