Human life is defined in many different ways by different thinkers. Some say, ‘It's a journey to the unknown, others call it a mystery and some others call it also as self unfolding of the person. A child has dreams; an old person too has dreams .But it's only the youth who has dreams and the necessary energy, inner push to chase those dreams and realize them. Youth is energy, power house. Whatever life is I would call youth, a dream phase of this journey or a mystery or a self unfolding.
Being an Indian, citizen of the second largest population in the world, I find India filled with young people; I mean to say it's country with a large population is between the age group of 18 to 30. But the question quite often raised here is to what extent this youth power is actively involved in the nation's progress and decision making. Why does quite often, young and creative blood is shadowed and not found having active participation?
Life unfolds itself in many phases. Youth is that unique phase where a person goes through several confusions and turmoil about his/ her own identity and belongingness. It's a state of unconscious inner search.
Case Studies:
Let us now look at the case studies of 2 young men.
He says, "Many come and share with me, but they forget that I too have something to share". Then he adds, "I can't share my personal things with anybody and everybody." "At the end of the day, though I have listened many and made them laugh, I still do not know about that unknown friend of mine, who would listen to me and understand.Hardluy anyone takes trouble to understand, who am I as a person in depth?."
Having asked "Do you feel lonely?" he said, "I do not know whether I feel lonely, but if I feel so, I used to masturbate. As religious today, I have reduced masturbating as I try to overcome loneliness with the support of prayer.
One thing I noticed in Vijay throughout the conversation, that he was honest and wanting to learn.
"I drink, sometimes take drugs too; I had sex twice or thrice by now. Then after a long pause he adds, "These give me relaxation at least for some time"
Vijay and Sridhar revealed several struggles our young men and women go trough daily. I would like to focus on two basic problems they posed by their sharing. They are 1) question of identity and 2) Loneliness. It is quite clear that both these young men are struggling to answer the basic questions who am I? And whom do I belong to? Having met several young men and women, I believe these are the questions haunt most of our young men and women today.
Identity: Self knowledge is the supreme knowledge one can ever posess.Coming out of the identity given by his/her family a young person tries to build his/ her own identity, based on his/ her capacities in the society in large. Being a humorous person brought identity to Vijay, whereas it was being called a murderer to Sridhar. Somewhere in their sharing I felt that they were not happy with the identities they have received from the society today, though they tried to show that they are quite comfortable with it.
I believe identity is of 2 kinds; 1) External- given by the society 2) internal- from the deeper mysterious self of the person. When these two identities do not match there rises the turmoil and peacelessness. People with identity crisis also go through several other problems like; difficulty in relationships, being highly critical and negative, not able to stand by the values, stress related problems, two standards of dealings, careless( exteriorly), nervous, peer group pressure etc.
Loneliness: An inevitable companion of every human. Surprisingly quite often we are scared to acknowledge that we are lonely. Vijay and Sridhar both found it hard to say openly that they are lonely although they were very much in depth. Both had found momentary solutions to get rid of this ‘problem' as many of us do, sometimes even by calling it as solitude and aloneness. Though loneliness is inevitable its affects are different in different persons largely depending on the inner identity of persons. Vijay and Sridhar, through masturbation and Sex/Drinks/drugs were trying to run away from the haunting loneliness.
Need of the Hour
In a highly consumerist world of today, the younger generation moving to more and more –to have forgetting the need -to be. The need of the hour is the inner journey, a journey into the roots of one's own mysterious self. I believe, silence and deep inner reflection will lead person to build deep inner identity which intern would enhance the external identity.
More than often I have found experts including clergy and religious giving tips to youngsters on how to overcome loneliness. My basic question is loneliness an evil to be got rid off? With my experience I would say feeling lonely is a gift. It's only when the person is lonely, he/she gets deeper into his or her own self. It is then that healthy identity builds up. Loneliness is to be loved than to be ashamed off.
Conclusion: Youth is energy, a powerhouse and above all a dream phase of life. As before they need suggestions and guidance but in a way they like it. Teachers and formators have got to learn to give the food they need in a plate they like. Inspite of all these there will still be some vacant space within every person and I believe that space of identity and loneliness, can only be filled by God alone as St Augustine says, ‘ Our hearts are restless until they rest in you.'
Being an Indian, citizen of the second largest population in the world, I find India filled with young people; I mean to say it's country with a large population is between the age group of 18 to 30. But the question quite often raised here is to what extent this youth power is actively involved in the nation's progress and decision making. Why does quite often, young and creative blood is shadowed and not found having active participation?
Life unfolds itself in many phases. Youth is that unique phase where a person goes through several confusions and turmoil about his/ her own identity and belongingness. It's a state of unconscious inner search.
Case Studies:
Let us now look at the case studies of 2 young men.
- Vijay (Not the real name): 20, is a candidate of catholic religious priesthood, in his early days of religious formation. Highly talented, extrovert, outgoing Vijay entertains all with his humour. He is more a relaxation to his group. Many come to him and share about themselves as they find Vijay, a strong and a dependable and non-threatening person.
He says, "Many come and share with me, but they forget that I too have something to share". Then he adds, "I can't share my personal things with anybody and everybody." "At the end of the day, though I have listened many and made them laugh, I still do not know about that unknown friend of mine, who would listen to me and understand.Hardluy anyone takes trouble to understand, who am I as a person in depth?."
Having asked "Do you feel lonely?" he said, "I do not know whether I feel lonely, but if I feel so, I used to masturbate. As religious today, I have reduced masturbating as I try to overcome loneliness with the support of prayer.
One thing I noticed in Vijay throughout the conversation, that he was honest and wanting to learn.
- Sridhar (Not the real name): 22 year old boy, from one of the backward villages of Bangalore, Karnataka, is also catholic by religion. He claims to have murdered three people. He says, "Now people know that I too am capable of something." Sridhar comes from a caste ridden society, where the caste he belongs to is often dominated over.
"I drink, sometimes take drugs too; I had sex twice or thrice by now. Then after a long pause he adds, "These give me relaxation at least for some time"
Vijay and Sridhar revealed several struggles our young men and women go trough daily. I would like to focus on two basic problems they posed by their sharing. They are 1) question of identity and 2) Loneliness. It is quite clear that both these young men are struggling to answer the basic questions who am I? And whom do I belong to? Having met several young men and women, I believe these are the questions haunt most of our young men and women today.
Identity: Self knowledge is the supreme knowledge one can ever posess.Coming out of the identity given by his/her family a young person tries to build his/ her own identity, based on his/ her capacities in the society in large. Being a humorous person brought identity to Vijay, whereas it was being called a murderer to Sridhar. Somewhere in their sharing I felt that they were not happy with the identities they have received from the society today, though they tried to show that they are quite comfortable with it.
I believe identity is of 2 kinds; 1) External- given by the society 2) internal- from the deeper mysterious self of the person. When these two identities do not match there rises the turmoil and peacelessness. People with identity crisis also go through several other problems like; difficulty in relationships, being highly critical and negative, not able to stand by the values, stress related problems, two standards of dealings, careless( exteriorly), nervous, peer group pressure etc.
Loneliness: An inevitable companion of every human. Surprisingly quite often we are scared to acknowledge that we are lonely. Vijay and Sridhar both found it hard to say openly that they are lonely although they were very much in depth. Both had found momentary solutions to get rid of this ‘problem' as many of us do, sometimes even by calling it as solitude and aloneness. Though loneliness is inevitable its affects are different in different persons largely depending on the inner identity of persons. Vijay and Sridhar, through masturbation and Sex/Drinks/drugs were trying to run away from the haunting loneliness.
Need of the Hour
In a highly consumerist world of today, the younger generation moving to more and more –to have forgetting the need -to be. The need of the hour is the inner journey, a journey into the roots of one's own mysterious self. I believe, silence and deep inner reflection will lead person to build deep inner identity which intern would enhance the external identity.
More than often I have found experts including clergy and religious giving tips to youngsters on how to overcome loneliness. My basic question is loneliness an evil to be got rid off? With my experience I would say feeling lonely is a gift. It's only when the person is lonely, he/she gets deeper into his or her own self. It is then that healthy identity builds up. Loneliness is to be loved than to be ashamed off.
Conclusion: Youth is energy, a powerhouse and above all a dream phase of life. As before they need suggestions and guidance but in a way they like it. Teachers and formators have got to learn to give the food they need in a plate they like. Inspite of all these there will still be some vacant space within every person and I believe that space of identity and loneliness, can only be filled by God alone as St Augustine says, ‘ Our hearts are restless until they rest in you.'
