They cry hoarse about ozone punctures, deride the proliferation of automobiles and the consequent menace of carbon dioxide; they hold global conferences to fight back pollution of the atmosphere. The developed and developing nations accuse each other and indulge in lengthy and complex discussions to find a way out.
Who is responsible for atmospheric pollution? Who should bear the responsibility and the expenses to clean it up and keep it continuously clean? Proclamations are made that the end of the world is not far off if drastic steps are not taken immediately. Presidents and Prime Ministers of rich and poor nations gather to deliberate, quarrel, accuse and disperse with the promise of meeting again.
This atmospheric pollution is the direct result of a pollution of a different kind, the pollution of values, morality and traditions. Luxuries were created to gratify the senses, and to satisfy our desire for excessive comforts. Railways, automobiles, smoke-belching industries, air conditioners, our need for speed and the airplanes, our creature-comforts to satisfy which we are manufacturing the ozone-puncturing pleasure machines in massive numbers, and for decades together we have been happily polluting the atmosphere.
Just as the overindulgence of the luxuries has led to atmospheric pollution, over indulgence of the senses has polluted the personal world of the people. Unlimited freedom, lack of integrity, materialism, selfishness, moral degradation - have led to the pollution of social life. Money is worshipped; any means to earn profits is justified; moderation and long time planning are spurned.
Going to the extreme, burning the bridge on both sides, being happy at the present moment with no thought of the future, subordinating all values for the sake of one’s personal advancement and profit, holding nothing sacred - all these have extracted their toll, and now the world is at a loss to know where all the joys of the world have gone? They have begun to long for the quiet pleasures, whatever they are, of a bygone era! It is not nostalgia, it is a passionate longing to win back the meaningful and gratifying pleasures, pleasures which leave one peaceful and harmonious, not guilty and troubled.
Materialism and sensual gratification have reached such limits that people are forced to turn back to square one. They have stretched things to such an extent that they are wallowing in their own waste and excreta. Unlimited freedom was granted to youngsters to pursue pleasures, and like the mixed public bathing ghats of ancient Rome which led to the decline and fall of the Roman empire, the unrestricted freedom and moral degradation are leading us to the decline and fall of civilization.
Pleasure machines, elaborately built and operated, have polluted the social atmosphere and torn the societal fabric. Noises, because they are different, are called music, breaking long established conventions is called progress; the emphasis is on changing things, being different is encouraged and rewarded. None seems to realize that there is an optimum level for progress, there is a limit for all forward going; when you reach the Everest, you have to turn back and rush down. Sometimes mindless and senseless progress is a dangerous journey.
As air pollution is compelling us to reassess our pleasure machines and style of living in order to survive, let us reassess and cleanse the moral chaos that has set in, let us reassess our values, moral codes and style of living. Let us wake up to a world of moderation, quiet pleasures; let us reassess our priorities and cherish our values; let us bring in fresh air into the murky world of unlimited sensual pleasures and win back the quiet joys.
Unpolluted atmosphere will be an added gift.
Who is responsible for atmospheric pollution? Who should bear the responsibility and the expenses to clean it up and keep it continuously clean? Proclamations are made that the end of the world is not far off if drastic steps are not taken immediately. Presidents and Prime Ministers of rich and poor nations gather to deliberate, quarrel, accuse and disperse with the promise of meeting again.
This atmospheric pollution is the direct result of a pollution of a different kind, the pollution of values, morality and traditions. Luxuries were created to gratify the senses, and to satisfy our desire for excessive comforts. Railways, automobiles, smoke-belching industries, air conditioners, our need for speed and the airplanes, our creature-comforts to satisfy which we are manufacturing the ozone-puncturing pleasure machines in massive numbers, and for decades together we have been happily polluting the atmosphere.
Just as the overindulgence of the luxuries has led to atmospheric pollution, over indulgence of the senses has polluted the personal world of the people. Unlimited freedom, lack of integrity, materialism, selfishness, moral degradation - have led to the pollution of social life. Money is worshipped; any means to earn profits is justified; moderation and long time planning are spurned.
Going to the extreme, burning the bridge on both sides, being happy at the present moment with no thought of the future, subordinating all values for the sake of one’s personal advancement and profit, holding nothing sacred - all these have extracted their toll, and now the world is at a loss to know where all the joys of the world have gone? They have begun to long for the quiet pleasures, whatever they are, of a bygone era! It is not nostalgia, it is a passionate longing to win back the meaningful and gratifying pleasures, pleasures which leave one peaceful and harmonious, not guilty and troubled.
Materialism and sensual gratification have reached such limits that people are forced to turn back to square one. They have stretched things to such an extent that they are wallowing in their own waste and excreta. Unlimited freedom was granted to youngsters to pursue pleasures, and like the mixed public bathing ghats of ancient Rome which led to the decline and fall of the Roman empire, the unrestricted freedom and moral degradation are leading us to the decline and fall of civilization.
Pleasure machines, elaborately built and operated, have polluted the social atmosphere and torn the societal fabric. Noises, because they are different, are called music, breaking long established conventions is called progress; the emphasis is on changing things, being different is encouraged and rewarded. None seems to realize that there is an optimum level for progress, there is a limit for all forward going; when you reach the Everest, you have to turn back and rush down. Sometimes mindless and senseless progress is a dangerous journey.
As air pollution is compelling us to reassess our pleasure machines and style of living in order to survive, let us reassess and cleanse the moral chaos that has set in, let us reassess our values, moral codes and style of living. Let us wake up to a world of moderation, quiet pleasures; let us reassess our priorities and cherish our values; let us bring in fresh air into the murky world of unlimited sensual pleasures and win back the quiet joys.
Unpolluted atmosphere will be an added gift.