INSIGHTS : Common sense approach to life

There is so much chaos in the world at present. Much violence in spite of peace talks, many diseases despite advances in medical science, recession with increasing development, food shortage in the face of advanced agriculture techniques. Worse is increased worries and anxiety, with increase in material comforts. The basic cause for all this turmoil is being searched by many persons. So many philosophies, cults, Gurus, are there advising people how to live. But the root cause for all this turmoil is loss of common sense approach to life. In the quest for development, man started developing so fast that he had no time to pause and see which way he is heading, only to land in a blind alley where he has forgotten the way now and is confused. The spirit with which development started post world wars was to bring in an entirely new era full of comforts and bliss. But while developing material comforts, the mind and soul were neglected along with family and social values. With economics improving came more emphasis on individual liberty and privacy. The fact that man is a social creature depending on one another for physical, emotional support was forgotten. Result is that though individuals became rich money wise, they became poor with human relations. The high prevalence of mental tension, anxiety and depression more so in rich developed countries is the consequence. Along with communal system people also cast aside norms and restrictions set in the society. Restriction on sex outside marriage was one such norm. Free sex itself has been a source for many social, mental and health related problems. To be considered liberal and broad minded, governments and advocates of human rights have gone ahead legalizing gay relationships. This certainly would add up to these problems because howsoever cordial relation may be between gay partners it is not and cannot be a substitute for a normal natural relationship which leads to a stable family life. Technology has advanced in medical field to a vast extent. But while developing new drugs and techniques, what was ignored is the spirit and soul with a man’s body which influences his health along with the physical factors. This spirit and soul being ignored has cau sed many health related problems. The cult of consumerism came with development. Every time there is something new in the market, a phone, car, computer,e.t.c. with something slightly different. With active marketing a need is created for it. Very soon everybody wants to buy it creating division and dissatisfaction in the society. People are divided in to 2 sets, those who can buy it immediately and those who cannot. Loans and financial schemes came up in plenty for the other kind of people. The wise custom of saving a penny for a rainy day was completely ignored by people. There has been a buying spree of buying whatever available with loans. The public never pondered to consider whether an item was really necessary to buy or one could do without it. Global recession of last year came as a big shock. In a very rich country like U.S.A. ,people lost their jobs suddenly, shares plummeted and many realized sadly after falling down from heaven that had they saved some money they would not have been so helpless. Till recent times idea of development of a nation or place was linked to industrial development. More the number of factories, malls, high rise buildings, more the place was supposed to be developed. Agriculture dependant regions were supposed to be backward. Land for cultivation was gradually encroached by all this development. Now food shortage and rising food prices in the world, have alarmed policy makers and the public. One can live without a T.V. or car but no living being can survive without food. All this does not mean that we go back100 years or so. Development has its own importance. But now man has reached the stage where every aspect of moving ahead can be reviewed very well. Both its positive and negative aspects should be considered in long term. For individuals adapting new things attitude should b e like a filter, i.e to collect useful things at bottom and discard unnecessary things. There should be a common sense approach towards life. Good things of the past need to be retained and useful and good new ones to be adopted. With a balanced view towards life every individual and all communities can be happy, satisfied and healthy. This view would consider man in holistic terms needing fulfillment and satisfaction of body, mind and soul. rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk

Lifestyle

INSIGHTS : Common sense approach to life