Due to the impurity of man’s mind, mankind has had to pay very heavily for whatever progress it has made, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj ji
Science has enabled man to make rapid strides on the path of progress and development. However, a close look at the signposts of progress and the dynamics of development shows that in the absence of purity of mind and motives, this progress has subliminally been leading the world to a great catastrophe even as it has resulted in material comfort and prosperity. Many examples can be cited of how ignoble intentions have gravely affected the use of inventions and how purity, or lack of it, has often determined our purposes. For instance, knowledge of the release of atomic energy through nuclear fission resulted not only in building up of atomic reactors for generating power but also, in the first instance, man’s violent tendencies led him to prepare nuclear weapons for massive destruction.
Inventions in the field of industry and engineering, led to more and more machinery and newer and bigger plants but the unsocial intention of making more and more profits by spending less and less, prevented man from taking proper measures for preserving the environment. As a result pollution today has reached disastrous proportions.
Similarly, the invention of x-ray made it possible to detect where exactly a bullet was embedded into a human body or where exactly was a kidney-stone located but the impure intention of making quick money, has often prompted many doctors to ask their patients, even when it was utterly unnecessary, to get x-rayed. The over-exposure to x-rays has often resulted in in multiple problems for patients.
likewise, the invention of dynamite resulted not only in the ability to blast easily the rocks where and when it was necessary for public good, but the nefarious intentions of man led to frequent use of it for devastation.
Thus, we can see that due to the impurity of man’s mind, mankind has had to pay very heavily for whatever progress it has made. Not only have man’s selfish motives, aggressive intentions, vindictive tendencies, exclusive ambitions and impulses of arrogance led to the harmful use of science and technology but his impure mind has also led to over-consumption and wanton plunder of mineral and natural resources so much so that it has resulted in the worrying depletion of non-renewable resources.
In fact, we find that in a country which has made more industrial progress or development, the per capita consumption of energy, industrial goods, water and other natural resources is many times higher as compared to the per capita consumption in a lesser developed country and the sustainability of this greater consumption has been possible, in many cases, only through one or the other form of exploitation of the undeveloped countries. Thus, the motive behind development in many cases has been devoid of any feeling of concern for the fellow beings and was often coloured by narrow considerations and as such, it has caused conflict between nations and has often generated rancour and enmity.
The purity of mind and motives is, therefore, imperative for the happiness and well-being of all and for a meaningful and real progress. We must remember that a noble mind guided by a pure intellect is the perfect combination for making the world both comfortable and secure for everyone.