Humans need cordial relations with their fellow beings based on rights and duties, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj Ji

We live in a society that appears increasingly numb to the causes and effects of human suffering,” pens popular author Michelle Mary Lelwica. So what exactly is ailing the world we live in? Today, if one turns on the television to watch news, the level of misery shown through the visuals is simply unprecedented. Despite so much distress around, we still fail to take any action. Our hearts ache for the tragedies, we witness, but only temporarily. For if we were to absorb the misery, then we would no longer be able to function in everyday life. Isn’t it?

Many people have tried to diagnose the present ailments of society from their own stand-point based on their discipline. For example, if you ask an economist, he would say that all the present-day social, political and biological maladies emerge mainly from economic disparities and inequalities. The two economic systems are mainly responsible for poverty, malnutrition, armament race, political strife and what not. He might say that the rest of the problems are the offshoots or the other sufferings could be eliminated once humans are free from their economic burdens. Some other person would emphasise that a proper political system is the need of the hour as it, alone, can act to remove economic inequalities, end armament race, safeguard human rights and eliminate disharmony between various sections of society.

Similarly, others will give their point of view and  explain their own theories and justify their significance for eliminating the present miseries. However, most of these views are quite illusory and depressing. In response to these, we have become defeatist regarding complex issues, yet we jump on to the more trivial causes to deliver equally trivial solutions. Our perceptions have been so undermined that the most pertinent issues remain as they are. Whereas, the bulk of activism that gains mass attention and hype focuses on the superficial. The media provides ridiculous distractions, which the public responds to with excitement. At a time where we, as a society, should be discussing about real issues affecting lives of millions of our brethren, we entertain ourselves watching the so-called important people fight during news channel debates.

Amid this chaos, the real issues are being swept under the rug because they are too complex and they require some critical analysis. The mainstream media avoids tackling these because they are too boring and puzzling for the audience. A spectacle has seeped into our culture and into our very way of life. We are constantly inundated with illusions and pretense. In front of the curtain is entertainment, distraction and superficiality, while behind the curtain lurks the truth and the critical voice that is often silenced. So who is to blame for this? If we go deeper within, our analysis would reveal that the root cause of all these sufferings is identity crisis. Yes, it’s a truth that man does not know himself, nor does he correctly know his place in the cosmic scheme. As a result, he does not know his correct relationship with other human beings. This, in turn, leads to a lack of moral or spiritual values and it is that which has ultimately led to the break-down of all the systems. We should understand that nothing can work unless man has a cordial relationship with his fellow beings based on some values, which determine his rights and duties. So what is utmost necessary in the present crisis is the rational, practical knowledge of the self that can serve as the correct basis for all human relationships. So start some soul searching and embark on a wonderful journey of self discovery.