Who
am I?
Each
one of us does have different identities: at the bodily level, we are the son
or daughter of so and so; at an emotional level; we are defined by virtue of
our behavioural characteristics, being kind, compassionate, cruel, miserly etc.
Few
people recognise our divine identity which is the most important identity at
the spiritual level. If an individual feels that there is a God within them,
can you imagine how this affects his or her relationship with Society. The
realisation that God is very much in Society becomes evident. Then, adherence
to morality under all circumstances is a part of that individual's personality.
Social
Priorities
In
a Society where divinity is manifest, it would care for its citizens,
especially the poor and helpless. What are the poor desperate for? Food,
shelter, clothing, health care, education etc. Today, there is hardly any
Society that is bothered about these.
Energy
security: The root of the oil problem is “oil addiction”, especially by
advanced countries. The growing demand for luxury goods has fuelled the energy
consumption of humanity. Electricity companies are happy about the profits they
make, economists are satisfied that market forces are prevailing but everyone
is choking with polluted air. This is the kind of illusion we are sucked into
because of our ever increasing wants. Instead, why do we not think in terms of
a simpler lifestyle and place a lid on excessive and wasteful consumption? We
are being brain-washed by big business with multi million Rand advertising budgets,
trapping us into limitless consumerism. This greed decimates the “Golden
Triangle”.
Ceiling
on Desires
We
are allowing modern life to envelope us and then swallow us. We can prevent
this by making a serious effort to place
a ceiling on our desires, which is the only way to responsible and
reasonable consumerism.
Reduced
consumerism would lead to lower energy demands > significant reduction in
burning of fossil fuels > less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere > cleaner
air to breathe > lesser respiratory problems, better health and fewer
medical bills > a healthier Society.
The less desires we have, the more time we can make
for God. This
is an important spiritual truth we have to digest.
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