Stages of personality development
According
to the ancient Indian system the development of personality happens through
four stages which also involves the attainment of knowledge experience and also
training in professional and life skills. These stages are called
"ashramas". Every person has
to ideally go through each of these stages of which is the source of systematic
development. The four stages of development are
Ø The
"Brahmacharya" or the Student Stage or the learning stage
Ø The
"Grihastha" or the Householder Stage or practicing stage
Ø The
"Vanaprastha" or the social/emotional distancing and teaching Stage
Ø The
Fourth Ashrama: "Sannyasa" or the Stage of attaining wisdom or
self-realization stage
Brahmacharya:
The Student
Brahmacharya
is a period when the person undergoes formal education. This period lasts until
around age 25, during which, the student leaves home, stays with a guru, and
attains professional, life skills and practical knowledge. The major duties of
the students are to learn the skills and knowledge essential for leading his
life and to practice unwavering devotion to his teachers. During this period,
he is called a Brahmachari as he is in the stage of acquiring knowledge which
can help him to reach the stage of Bhraman or ideal self and helps in to
identify the path which can lead to self-realization. This period prepares him
for his future profession, as well as for his family, and social and religious life
ahead.
Grihastha:
The Householder
The
grihastha Ashrama begins at marriage when one must undertake the responsibility
for earning a living and supporting a family. At this stage, the primary focus
is on practicing dharma, but there are also goals to pursue wealth or material
gratification(Artha) as a necessity, and indulge in sexual pleasure (kama),
under certain defined social norms. The phase of development is supposed to be
present until around the age of 50.
Vanaprastha:
The Retreat
The
Vanaprastha stage is one of gradual withdrawal. This stage starts when the
person's duty as a householder comes to an end: At this age, he should renounce
all physical, material, and sexual pleasures, retire from his social and
professional life. This is the stage when they take advisory roles and are
consulted as elders by the community at large. The primary focus is teaching
dharma to those who visit them
Sanyasa:
The wisdom
The
sanyasa stage is one of renunciation and the realization of dharma. At this
stage, he has renounced all desires, fears, hopes, duties, and
responsibilities. He virtually gets detached from the family and society and is
fully focused on attaining self-realization and the only goal is attaining
moksha or release from the circle of birth and death.
PURUSHARTHAS:
The Responsibilities in each stage
All
the four stages of the development of personality are integrated with the
responsibilities they are supposed to hold at each stage. These
responsibilities are known as Purushartha, which are the four proper aims or
duties at different stages of life. These duties and responsibilities are
Dharma (faithfulness, devoutness, morality, duties), Artha (wealth, health,
materialistic needs of life), Kama (love, relationships, emotions), and Moksha
(liberation, freedom, self-realization). Each of the four Ashramas or stages of
development of personality happens in a specific personal and social
environment, each stage functioning with ethical guidelines, duties, and
responsibilities, for the individual and the society. Each stage of development
places different levels of emphasis on the above said four proper goals of
life, and each stage is viewed as a step towards the attainment of the ideal
status, namely Moksha
The
Indian system relied on systematic training which focuses on balanced
development and a harmonious combination of all the domains and abilities that
help to bring about not only to the health of the body but also to the overall
development of personality. These include
Meticulously
observing the rules of health and sanitation, physical culture including yoga
asanas, developing the ability of speech through the study of languages and
grammar of those languages, Practicing the art of speaking assertively by
speaking the truth at the right time and place including the knack of
presenting even unpleasant truths in a manner that is gracefully accepted.
Training
the mind in developing the ability to analyze and understand the discretion and
discrimination so that the right decision can be taken at the right time within
the limitations imposed by the circumstances, exercising the intellect by
developing the knowledge in science, philosophy, and logic and nurturing a
sense of justice.
Developing
interest in some of the arts such as classical music and dance, good and
elevating literature, drawing and painting, drama, and other theatrical arts
that can arouse our finer emotions.
Developing
faith in God and a habit of praying regularly.
Personality development
Most
of the time 'Development' and 'Evolution' are used interchangeably without
considering the differences among them.
Indian system especially the Upanishads talk of 'Evolution' rather
'Development'. Evolution involves the
discovery of the universal self within us and everyone. Development generally
is sharpening skills and adding certain positive traits. However, Evolution
focuses on a complete systematic change by removing the impediments in the
'realization of Self'. The major
impediments or kleshas in self-realization consist of 'Avidya' (Wrong
knowledge) 'Asmita' (Ego). 'Raaga'
(Lust). 'Dvesha' (Hatred). and 'Abhinivasa" (Fear). Indian theories believed in Evolution' which
is a continuous process until the final goal of Moksha the blissful state is
reached.
According
to Baghvat gita, the fully developed personality should be free from
Ø Dhamba
– Pride,
Ø Darpa
– Arrogance,
Ø Abhimanam
–Conceit,
Ø Krodha
– Anger,
Ø Parushyam
–Sternness,
Ø Ajnanam
– Ignorance.
At
the same time, personality development happens in the attainment of positive
qualities. The positive qualities to be attained for the wholistic development
of personality according to baghwat gita are
Ø Abhayam: Fearlessness
Ø Sattva
samsuddhi: Purity of Mind
Ø Jnanayogavyavasthitam: Practice of Yoga for Self-realization
Ø Danam: Charity
Ø Damam: Control of Senses
Ø Yajna: Performance of Sacrifice
Ø Svadhyayam: Study of texts for 'Self-realization'
Ø Tapas: Austerity
Ø Aarjavam: Straightforwardness
Ø Ahimsa: Nonviolence
Ø Satyam: Truthfulness
Ø Akrodham: Absence of anger
Ø Thyagam: Renunciation
Ø Shanti: Tranquility
Ø Apaishunam: Aversion to faultfinding
Ø Daya: Compassion
Ø Bhuteshvaloluptvam: Freedom from covetousness
Ø Mardavam: Modesty
Ø Hri: Shame in doing unrighteous deeds
Ø Achapalam: Absence of craving
Ø Tejas: Vigour
Ø Kshama: Forgiveness
Ø Dhriti: Resilience, Determination, Endurance
Ø Soucham: Cleanliness
Ø Adroham: Freedom from envy
Ø Natimanita: Absence of self-esteem
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