The seminar title in this write-up may shake or shock some readers, because to think of unliving in a time in the world when every body is striving for good living, is something really shocking. Lots of institutions are giving guidance for a successful living. Let us make out, what is really meant by "Successful living" or "Good living" in modern time? Some approaches are:
- How to succeed materially by living a very high, so called, happy life?
- How to live to help others to make them live happily?
- How to live without affecting the environment negatively?
Whole approach of life is based on consumerism. Race of production and consumerism in the name of economic development has almost reached into demonic race level. In this scenario, trainings and teachings are given in the name of "Art of living". Now where are we heading to? Note following:
- American Psychological Association reports two-third Americans likely to seek help for stress. The National Institute of Mental Health says: One out of every four adult American suffers from the diagnosable mental disorders in a given year.
- Millions of automobiles are added every year on one side and a huge cry is everywhere for environment pollution. Note the paradox.
- Middle class Americans are entering into bankruptcy due to medical bills in the present time of recession.
- In developed and developing Countries teenaged children are embracing suicides and killing each other.
- Twelve year boy is fathering a child and teenage girls are getting pregnancy.
Inspite of all "Art of Living" facilities, if we are heading to above situation then certainly this "Art of Living" approach needs overhaul. Literally "Unliving" means: To live so as to nullify, undo or live down, to undo the effect to annual. Whatever meaning we chose, at least it is easy to make out that we have to rethink our approach to life and living.
So many Non-Governmental Organizations and Social Institutions are working all over world. Ask them: What are you doing and why? Reply: We want to do service, just to help people to live happily. Again ask: Why do you want to do good to others? No satisfactory reply will come. At least nobody will say: I enjoy doing it. Even such philanthropists have lost the enjoyment of doing work. Mankind is turning into robots, devoid of emotions. There was a saying: "Time is money". Add to it in the present time: "Money brings misery. So time itself has become a misery".
In the light of all above facts, it's necessary we rethink our approach to living. We need to drastically reform "Art of Living" and bring in the concept of "Art of Unliving". After all who will teach teenagers, how to navigate the life in this complex time. We have to bring in such living concepts that can build the most urgently required quality of human beings: Emotional health. "Art of Unliving" is primarily concerned with "Development of Emotional Aspects" of mankind. We need to turn natural robots into living human beings. Let us do it together. Amen.