Once born on this earth the man has to deal
with the physical world. This applies to all other living beings. Having very
limited intelligence of their own, all living being other than human beings,
conduct themselves according to the commands of the natural laws. They can
neither become a cause of any destruction, nor any construction of what exists
in this universe. They contribute in the sustenance of life in this universe,
perhaps, remaining completely unaware of their contribution.
The
man, in possession of much superior intelligence, enjoys relying on his intellect
to look after his welfare in the physical world. He thinks that he can
construct and create, and build a better world for him to live in. He found
that there were things in this nature that were threats to his existence. Being
an intelligent living being he made efforts to eliminate or reduce those
threats. Having realized that the nature had enormous power, he looked at the
nature with a feeling of awe. He learned much from the nature and is
still learning from it. He tried to make the knowledge gained from the nature
as his own, because he preferred to rely more on himself. Some looked at the
nature as a dreadful enemy in possession of infinite riches, who, if conquered
could make man’s life full of happiness. Others found a benevolent provider in
the nature, of which the man was a part; and the man had to become worthy of
the nature’s benevolence, the others were convinced.
In
spite of many views, opinions and convictions about the man’s relation with the
nature the man is still alienated from the nature, the other living beings and
even the fellow human beings. He still thinks that he is struggling, but
against whom, he hardly knows. Some feel, perhaps, on the basis of borrowed
opinions, that the physical world is illusory; and hence, man’s struggle in
this world would never end.
We
have learned from the nature, how to fly, how to explore what is there up above
in the sky and deep into the seas, how to grow food, how to protect ourselves and
how to destroy what we want to destroy. But, perhaps we have failed to grasp
the essence of the nature’s ability to sustain itself, ever regenerating itself
after giving away whatever it has to remain as benevolent as ever, bearing
happily whatever pains it has to undergo.
The
nature, which had been living for ages and would live till the time much beyond
our comprehension, is a live example of collective survival and growth. Perhaps,
the nature is thinking of itself when it thinks about all that it lives for,
all that is dependent on it and all that it depends on. When the nature is
thinking about the welfare of an insignificant insect, perhaps its own survival
is in its mind. Perhaps, independence, interdependence and self dependence are
the essence of the nature’s eternal life that it had been perpetually infusing
into each of its components and nurturing it with love, care and vigour. The man who erroneously relies excessively
upon his intellect notices contradiction in the three and suffers.
While
we have discussed about the above referred three elements in various contexts
from time to time on this site, we are leaving the discussion as a food for thought
for all, including ourselves, in this blog for the time being. The only thing
we would like to add that the three elements are extremely, relevant to our
individual, social, political, philosophical and spiritual life.
PROMOD KUMAR SHARMA
[The writer of this blog is also the author of “Mahatma A
Scientist of the Intuitively Obvious” and “In Search of Our Wonderful Words”.]
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