The last few decades has seen unprecedented Global violence, invasion of countries and the rise of local and international terrorism. The poor have become poorer and the rich have become richer. Power and money are concentrated in a few hands .
The question comes to mind - How can we break this vicious cycle that the world has entered into and how do we make the distribution of wealth and resources just and equitable?
To find the answer to this question let us turn to the writings of Yugrishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya and his very moving Book - Companions in Solitude . The Book captures his thoughts as he travels to the deep recesses of the Himalayas ( 4 trips) upon the call of his Guru.
The book is a compendium of articles that were written in 1960-1961 by Yugrishi Shriram Sharma Acharya during his self imposed seclusion in Uttrakhand Himalayas. This book (a compilation of articles) is equally inspiring for the nature lover, the environmentalist , as it is to the spiritual seekers.
The excerpt below reflects the authors thoughts as he views the simplicity of life lived by the folks living in the Himalayan region. The thoughts penned in 1961 accurately predict the economic dilemmas we face worldwide today.
"Sheep which is a small animal, is an indispensably benevolent kamadhenu( the heavenly cow which fulfils all desires) for this mountainous region.
It gives milk, wool and lambs.It also carries loads.
On the way today, a flock of sheep numbering about 100-125 were seen loaded with goods. They were carrying goods like jaggery, flour,rice etc to Gangotri. Depending on its height and capacity, each sheep was carrying a load weighing about 10-15 pounds. Apart from the mules,sheep are the only means for transporting goods in this hilly region.
Other animals or vehicles are of no use on these hilly paths.
It gives milk, wool and lambs.It also carries loads.
On the way today, a flock of sheep numbering about 100-125 were seen loaded with goods. They were carrying goods like jaggery, flour,rice etc to Gangotri. Depending on its height and capacity, each sheep was carrying a load weighing about 10-15 pounds. Apart from the mules,sheep are the only means for transporting goods in this hilly region.
Other animals or vehicles are of no use on these hilly paths.
I began to think- It is not necessary to stress on the availability of mega means to solve the basic problems of life.
A man can live happily and peacefully with meager means.
Limited industrialization is acceptable.But big industries would grab the livelihood of these sheep as well as the people who depend on them and all the wealth would be concentrated in the hands of a few industrialists.
The root cause of all the war clouds hovering over the world today is the insatiable greed for capturing and monopolizing the markets for industries.
A man can live happily and peacefully with meager means.
Limited industrialization is acceptable.But big industries would grab the livelihood of these sheep as well as the people who depend on them and all the wealth would be concentrated in the hands of a few industrialists.
The root cause of all the war clouds hovering over the world today is the insatiable greed for capturing and monopolizing the markets for industries.
On the line of sheep, I began to wonder why it is not possible to live peacefully by adopting simple lifestyle with limited means like these simple innocent folks who tend the sheep and live on their limited earnings.
In olden days, India followed the ideal of decentralization.
Rishis and Munis ( saints and sages) lived in hermitages forming a unit.
Villages were integrated, interdependent, socially bonded units. They mostly fulfilled their requirements from their own area , form their own society and lived happily in cooperation.There was little scope for corruption, criminality and disharmony.
In today's mad race of industrialization, villages are being uprooted; small portions of cities are flourishing;the poor are being trampled upon and the rich are growing richer through manipulative means and foul tactics. The terrible machines roaring like demons are destroying the health, social relations, and morality.
Unbridled industrialization, and capitalism, which are being called the pillars of modern developmental process, will eventually lead to violent social upheavals.
In olden days, India followed the ideal of decentralization.
Rishis and Munis ( saints and sages) lived in hermitages forming a unit.
Villages were integrated, interdependent, socially bonded units. They mostly fulfilled their requirements from their own area , form their own society and lived happily in cooperation.There was little scope for corruption, criminality and disharmony.
In today's mad race of industrialization, villages are being uprooted; small portions of cities are flourishing;the poor are being trampled upon and the rich are growing richer through manipulative means and foul tactics. The terrible machines roaring like demons are destroying the health, social relations, and morality.
Unbridled industrialization, and capitalism, which are being called the pillars of modern developmental process, will eventually lead to violent social upheavals.
My thoughts are getting incoherent. So let me stop this discussion here. But the sheep cannot be forgotten, even if tried to. They remind me of the ancient social system prevailing in India.
In the present culture, who will consider the utility and helpfulness of the poor sheep? These poor creatures will only be ridiculed as a symbol of an old era, yet the truth will remain the truth.
For actualizing humanity's dream of universal peace and contentment, power and resources will have to be decentralized and in that system everyone will be living happily and contended by one's own labor, just as the sheep -tending folks along with their bleating sheep are living here."
In the present culture, who will consider the utility and helpfulness of the poor sheep? These poor creatures will only be ridiculed as a symbol of an old era, yet the truth will remain the truth.
For actualizing humanity's dream of universal peace and contentment, power and resources will have to be decentralized and in that system everyone will be living happily and contended by one's own labor, just as the sheep -tending folks along with their bleating sheep are living here."
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If you would like to read the book "Companions in Solitude" please click the link below:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/59987539/Colleagues-in-Solitude-by-Pandit-Shriram-Sharma-Acharya
If you would like to know more about the author Yugrishi Shriram Sharma Acharya please click the link below:
If you would like to know more about the author Yugrishi Shriram Sharma Acharya please click the link below: