== ECONOMIC MYTHS AROUND THE GLOBE ==
~ Part 2 ~
Namaskar,
This is in follow-up to the first letter in this series:
After reading the above, margiis from our unit got together and
brainstormed a half-a-dozen more myths. We have prepared two to share
with you today.
MYTH #1: MONEY SOLVES ALL PROBLEMS
We all know that this-- 'Money Solves All Problems'-- was a common
slogan in our Marga amongst a certain section of workers etc. But not
just that, this is a prevailing myth in the general society.
Right now around the world there are any number of issues and problems:
Poverty, global warming, diminishing resources, war, housing crisis,
food shortages, AIDS, infant mortality, child abuse, sectarian
conflicts, obesity, energy shortages, religious tensions, and the list
goes on and on. There is seemingly no end to it all.
Time and again, to "solve" the problems, the same solution comes up
again and again: Money.
The said leaders think that if 5.7 billion dollars gets appropriated for
greenhouse gases reduction then the issue of global warming will be
solved. They think that if 125 million dollars gets sent to Africa, then
the AIDS crisis will be alleviated.
In each and every circumstance, money is looked upon as the solution.
That is the only thought.
And amazingly, the general population grants approval. When the United
Nations or the US Congress or the European Union designates a sum of
money to solve a problem, then the common citizens feel that the issue
has been properly addressed, and they feel heard.
But money alone is not the answer or way to solve all these issues. That
is why the very same issues like health care or poverty remain raging
issues despite billions spent trying to solve these problems over the
decades.
HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
To solve any problem, right ideas along with good role models are the
key elements needed. And yes, some money is needed. After all money is
artha. But money is secondary to having the proper ideas and dedicated
people to put forth the solution.
For example, in the US child obesity is a major problem. The government
is pumping more and more money into solving this problem. But because
they do not know the proper method-- i.e. their diet recommendations are
poor and they are unable to implement a good school fitness program or
inspire kids to exercise-- then regardless of how much money the US
government allocates they will never be able to solve the problem with
their present course of action.
Same is the case with so many issues. The root cause of poverty is the
exploitative ways of capitalism, but the ruling governments are not at
all thinking that this is the cause. Hence, it is just one foolhardy
approach to denote hundreds of millions of dollars for the fight against
poverty when the pillars of capitalism stand tall.
Thus, when only money is applied to solving a problem and when right
ideas and proper personnel are missing from the equation, then money
will only be the tool for spreading dogma-- nothing more.
Money alone cannot do everything. While few will admit as much, by their
actions and seeing how the world leaders address problems, it is quite
clear that much of the world thinks that money is indeed the solution.
MYTH #2: JUST TAKE CARE OF ONESELF
Another common economic myth is that if one takes care of oneself then
one will be able to progress. This is the essence of capitalism. Build
your own financial base, treat yourself right, and one will achieve many
great things on this earth.
It sounds silly no doubt, but the US has effectively exported this
message of material selfishness all over the globe. This is the
propaganda that is going on as we speak.
And common people are thinking that it is alright. They see the glitz
and glamour of the west and in particular of the US, and they think that
looking out for oneself is the way. Going to nightclubs, having a fancy
car, wearing nice clothes, owning a beach house, pampering oneself
whenever possible etc.
But what to speak of all this leading to one's progress, this type of
seflish outlook is the main cause of their degeneration. By thinking of
merely satisfying one's own self with material gain etc then the mind
becomes smaller and smaller. It leads to one's crudification.
Baba says, "The very nature of the mind is to become as it thinks. If it
thinks of money, the mental stuff will one day, in a gradual process of
crudification, be converted into money. After one’s physical death, the
mind will be converted into money, and may find shelter in the iron safe
of a moneylender. Will that be desirable? No, certainly not!" (SS-13)
Baba says, "This principle of selfish pleasure rests on dogma. All the
social, economic and geographical forces that normally motivate human
beings are guided by dogma...Human beings yield to this dogma with the
sole intention of attaining selfish pleasures; even educated people
knowingly submit to dogma. They know that they are surrendering their
intellect to dogma, and that the outcome will be undesirable; they know
and understand everything – why, even then, do they knowingly submit to
it? They are all deliberate sinners and intentionally accept dogmas as
truth. They observe that these dogmas are based on a'tma-sukha tattva
(selfish pleasure); but they think, “I don’t care whether it does good
or harm to others, because at least I have got some pleasure out of it!”
Being motivated by this idea, they enslave themselves to dogmas." (NH-LOI)
Here the point is that if one thinking only about caring for oneself,
then that will bring about one's demise. The person will become tied up
with so many negative samskaras.
PROGRESS BY SERVING ALL
Rather than taking care of oneself, one must strive to serve all. Then
one will be on the path of progress.
Baba says, "Vista'ra (expansion), rasa (flow), seva (service) and
tadsthiti (attainment of the Supreme) are the four aspects of human
existence, and there must be progress in all these spheres." (AFPS-5)
Without these essential elements of dharma like a broad mental outlook
(vista'ra) and a service oriented approach (seva) then one is doomed--
locked into the path of degeneration.
Yet due to the prevailing economic myth-- taking care of oneself-- much
of the humanity is rushing headlong in the wrong direction.
BABA'S BLESSING
To Ananda Margiis, these above economic myths may seem simple, even
obvious. But billions of people around the globe are being strangled by
these very myths. And not only that, tragically these myths have crept
into our Marga. So we should carefully survey the scene and extricate
ourselves and help others, as soon as possible. By Baba's grace we will
be successful.
Baba says, "You boys, you girls, you the spiritual aspirants, must
always remember that you must never surrender at the altar of dogma. In
the past, dogma committed so many nuisances, dogma created so many
fissiparous tendencies in this human society. Your slogan should be
“Dogma – No more! Dogma – No more!” Establish yourselves above the
boundaries of dogma, and be established in the excellence of human
glory." (AFPS-4)
Namaskar,
Dharma
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Manav manav ek Hai!
(Human, Human, One!)
Baba says, "Is the division of people into castes and communities
natural... Amongst the inimical forces, there are certain parties which
are goaded by certain forces, by the spirit of certain fissiparous
tendencies, and there are also some persons goaded by these fissiparous
forces. How can this problem be solved? How can we check these
belligerent parties from implementing their outdated ideas." (PNS-18, p.58)
Note 1: In His above teachings, Baba poses the question and guides us
that dividing human society according to caste, community, creed, color,
race etc is totally harmful and negative. Furthermore, in His discourse
'The Dangers of Communalism', Baba has given historical examples which
demonstrate the sheer terrors of such divisive tendencies like groupism
& racism etc. Baba sharply condemns such social diseases and instead has
given the beautiful ideal of one healthy, unified, human society-- free
from caste distinctions etc. However, nowadays in our organisation there
are groups trying to divide our AM family along communal & racist lines.
Various groups are there like H, B, EC, and NIA etc. And while all are
certainly bad and poisonous, on this point or communalism and class
distinctions the worst is NIA (Non-Indian Avadhutas) as they are trying
to split our society into Indians and Non-Indians-- crude divisions
based on race and color. That is why nowadays their NIA
faction is basically dead and static. No one is finding it appealing--
rather even dull-minded people find it abhorrent and grossly racist. So
this harmful approach of trying to divide the humanity is as unnatural
as preaching that people should walk on their head and hands-- as
opposed to using their feet. But such groupist, fissiparous type of
persons infuse this negative idea of division in order to promote their
own self-interest-- i.e. to get some power. So although the various
groups like NIA are trying to splinter the society along racist lines,
they will never be successful as it goes against the natural laws
neo-humanism and universalism.
Note 2: Everyone is aware that the present central organisational
structure is not working properly nowadays. To correct it, Baba's
teachings should be followed. Certainly any type of misguided attempts
towards division are not the solution. Universalism is the solution.
Note 3: 'Manav, Manav, Ek Hai!'= (Meaning: Human, Human, One!) This is our universal slogan commonly used during the DMC processions and various other of our gatherings.
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