Human beings are superior to others for their capability to reason and make choices. That, however can also lead to social decadence, says SANT RAM
Economic development accompanied by technical revolution which were to literate human beings from the servitude of nature, could not enhance our spiritual values. Rather, we remain dissatisfied with whatever possession we have. There’s an unending race for material pursuits. The human values are deteriorating and peace vanishing.
Human beings are different from each other unlike animals and plants. They have the freedom of choice. Man is blessed with mind, intelligence and ego which others do not possess, but are guided by natural instincts. Other living beings cannot go against natural instincts; have no ambitions, desires etc. A person is human because he has the organic capacity to seek knowledge. No animal can seek knowledge and they are completely controlled by the genetic system.
Man can imagine to any extent and has progressed in all directions. There is no change in sub-human beings. On the other hand man indulges in many inhuman acts i.e. terrorist activities, fights, warfare and can kill innocent persons without any reason. Man can also give life to the miserable and destitute. Human acts are immense, can consume anything, can think in different ways. There is uniformity in animals bound by their natural habits. There is diversity in men’s habits. Therefore man possesses creative power in all fields, and animals did not progress even an inch. Human system possesses sensory system, nervous system and brain. There is tremendous energy in their functioning. We have to guide these energies to higher purpose. With balance of mind, intelligence, discriminative power (Viveka) and clear thinking, the life becomes fruitful.
Men have to harness manpower in right direction otherwise it would be harmful as it did during wars, terror attacks, dropping of atom bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Partition of India etc.
In primitive age, the role of money was only for exchange of goods and services. Now money has become indispensable. Money in any form, whether it is metallic coins, paper currency or banking transactions has become the part and parcel of our life. Priority is to earn by any means and spend as much as possible.
Nowadays, money, in any form, can be kept in any amount and with better security. With the invoking of banking system almost all financial transactions are routed through this system. It’s transferred electronically too. All these developments have influenced our lives in many ways.
It has made us greedy because we can save as much as possible. In ancient times it was restricted to present needs. The use of metallic coins made it possible to save. Paper currency and banking system have multiplied its importance in our economic and social lives. Now we can buy and sell anything of any amount at any place and at any time. It is not restricted to carry a load of metallic coins. Hence, paper currency has aroused our aspirations many folds. The advancement of banking system has further enhanced the value of money. It has superimposed our minds. Earning money is absolutely natural. But the irresistible urge for more, that takes one to ways that should be avoided.
Competition is the root of modern economy. There is unending race for multiplying money. In this race, people start estimating other’s income without complete knowledge of their resources and actual income. They become jealous as well. In such situations, conflicts, rivalries and displeasure with others are unavoidable. likes and dislikes are automatically built up. To like a person and hate another has become our habit. When money plays a greater part in human life, honour becomes less and less important. Decent people want honour and will not exchange honour for money.
Human beings are in the fourth stage of development of the cosmic process: Matter, life, Mind, and Intelligence. We know matter and life, but functions of mind and intelligence are quite complex.
There are 10 organs: Five organs of perceptions: Eyes, ears, nose, palate, and skin; and the five organs of actions: Tongue, hands, legs, organs of excavation, and organ of generation.
The mind and intelligence are subtle parts which are connected with other physical organs. Intelligence is an the instrument for the perception of all objects like a lamp placed in darkness. The other organs are but the channels of intelligence. Similarly, human mind is an inner instrument which has four different functions: Deliberation, determination, egoism and recollection.
There is unity in diversity in human beings. Ego, the distinguishing characteristic of human personality, is a creative entity. The other characteristic of mind is recollection. Mind has a very important role in human actions because all influences are gathered in psychic apparatus. Therefore, the tranquility of mind depends upon human collections in the subconscious.
The human mind is divided into: Conscious and subconscious. The conscious mind deals with what is within the realm of our awareness, whereas subconscious mind deals with impressions of which individual is unaware, but is influenced by them.
We’re also bestowed five senses and any hindrance in their satisfaction is taken as a problem because it disturbs our normal life. This is a problem which is generally faced. All efforts are directed for the satisfaction of sense objects. The usual remedy, as far as possible, is to control desires for sense objects because all desires are never satisfied.
If desire and its satisfaction is a question, the answer is pleasures and problems. People keep trying but in the end, nothing is achieved. It’s one of the reasons for dissatisfaction. Hence, we should be satisfied in all situations.
What is desirable is to face each situation judiciously and boldly without disturbing mental equilibrium. Don’t be overjoyed by success. There is no need for feeling disturbed for any unwanted situation. Fear retards progress. Every problem when faced courageously is a key to success.
Excerpted from Human Journey by Sant Ram, Mittal Publications, Rs 300
