Hari
Om
Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by
which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality
and become more congruent within our personality.
THE
WISE AND THE OTHERWISE (cont'd)
Looking
at the wise method of living and the consequences of the otherwise, we have
seen it at the closest level of family, at the wider level of employment. Now
how to view shreyas and preyas in terms of prosperity.
ECONOMIC;
We
all desire to become prosperous, is it not? When all work towards the
prosperity of the community, nation, even the world, then every individual,
family, community and nation is taken care of. In the prosperity of others lies
our own prosperity and well-being. Can the wise one, the follower of shreyas,
sit in a place of comfort and wealth, enjoying the benefits thereof, and watch
others around who are starving or ill without at the very least offering funds
to those who can make a difference in easing the suffering?
So
many work out of self-interest and not for the greater good. There is
insecurity and fear around losing the wealth gained, not understanding that
sharing it does not deplete one at all. There is a parable of Sri Vishnu, who
invited all the deities and the demons to Vaikuntha for a feast. After a warm
welcome, the Lord gave instructions that none should bend their elbows whilst
eating. The demons got angry and, shouting anti-Vishnu slogans, staged a
walkout in true parliamentary style! However, the deities cheered. Each fed the
other and all were happy.
Feeding
ourselves is joy. Feeding others, or being fed ourselves from another's
generosity, is double the joy.
In
being unselfish, all are looked after. In being selfish the rich become richer
and the poor become poorer. The mighty and cunning loot and exploit the weak or
helpless. All food and water is put into the mouth. The teeth chew it, the
stomach digests it and thereafter the nutrients are distributed to every cell
of the body by an excellent delivery system. Each does its role selflessly and
all benefit. If the teeth retain the food, they decay and stink and have to be
removed and replaced…
The
government/ruler is like the mouth. Collecting the taxes and attending to
distribution to the various departments. If a certain minister or individual
boards the national wealth, distribution becomes unfair, certain sections of
the community will be neglected and the nation will suffer. At best this is
poor management. At worst, it is corruption. It corrodes the soul of the
country.
As
individuals, the path of shreyas in this instance is to pay our taxes without
complaint - to know that it is for one's neighbour who may have less, it is for
the community who share the roads or utilities… and in a fair system, we get a
vote on who is managing the community funds; if we don't like what we see being
done, we can exercise our choices through voting for another. Where voting is
not made compulsory, we follow the path of shreyas if we show an active
interest in politics and make sure that we use the privilege of voting. Where
we have surplus, we might also put funds to charity - and where no funds are we
can seek to at least support through provision of some of our time, or
preparing food or clothing for donation. The Wise are active in sharing and
caring. The Otherwise… otherwise.
