Rampant ills of selfishness

[Seshadri Sridharan]

அர்குமியியம் (capitlism), கட்டற்ற சுதந்திரம் (liberalism) தனி ஆளுமையையை (individualism ) ஊக்குவிக்கும்   

Rampant ills of selfishness

Plants and animals are not selfish; they take care of their own existence, which everyone does, but not more than that. They do not take more than what is needed.

For example, a lion does not go on killing all of the animals in the jungle, even though it is capable of doing so. It kills only when it is hungry, for its existence. Because that is how Parama’tma’ has designed animals. Similarly, a shark does not kill all the fish in the ocean, even though it is capable of doing so. But sick human beings, in addition to preserving their own existence, have a tremendous desire for self-pleasure and that is misdirected.

Covetous capitalists want to amass as much as possible even though other human beings are not getting food to eat. If bloodsucker capitalists keep on exploiting general masses, a situation may arise wherein general people, deprived of basic necessities, may forcefully take money or kill the parasite capitalists to protect their own existence.

This selfish nature is most evident in sick human beings specifically in capitalist countries. Capitalism is nothing but selfish nature at its extreme in human beings. Such a selfish nature is not good for society.

Wrong direction: marry but don't want children

In capitalist countries, people with no children feel that why should they pay for education for other children. Education is so expensive that people marry but do not have any interest in having their own children. In rich countries, even the population is decreasing. In Germany, the population has decreased, also in the U.S. That is why there is a need for the US to have immigrants. Without immigrants, the population of the U.S would have reduced even further.

In the U.S, old people are dying, and the same number of children are not being born. Because there is a fear among people that if they have children, then it will be an added responsibility in raising the children which is so expensive. When such people grow old, then there will not be anyone to even give them medicines, or to take them to the graveyard. Because they felt that to have children is an added responsibility, and why have children as it will cost so much - not to mention the amount of time they have to spend to raise children. Japan has a similar problem. 
More police & gated communities: sign of distrust

Looking back at India, about 50 years ago, the number of police officers was much less because there was no need. Slowly people became selfish, wanted to amass more money, build large houses, and for their security they needed police. More gated communities were built, and more police were needed to maintain security as the deprived people got engaged in illegal activities to fulfill their basic necessities. Prior to the 1970’s, there were no houses with big boundaries. Prior to Independence, people did not construct boundaries around their houses. Simply to mark the house boundary, people may have erected a pole, but they did not construct actual boundaries.

Nowadays in India, there are tall boundaries around houses as well as apartment complexes with tight security in place, and one may need to have a pass to enter into the premises. Being affected by self-interest and capitalism, people amass more wealth than they need, and in turn others do not get their basic necessities fulfilled. The deprived people often become criminals, and attack the wealthy. Mostly rich people are on the receiving end of a crime and face serious consequences. The lives of those impacted by crime are severely affected, either their family members are killed, or their wealth is stolen etc.
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Selfish persons suffer in misery

Capitalism is based on the principle of selfishness. Selfishness is a disease, and the result is not beneficial. Selfishness is not good at one’s home or in society. Selfishness is a mental disease in which one thinks that no one is mine; a selfish person thinks that everyone is on their own. As long as one is physically well and has the ability to earn money, one works hard and earns as much as possible. But when something happens to the selfish person’s health, there is no one to take care of them as they never lived with anyone.

If a selfish person needs to be taken to the hospital or needs care then no one is there to help them. When a selfish person thinks only for their own self, then he does not have any friends or family members. Due to the resultant stress, such a person’s lifespan typically is reduced. Over time, consequent to this stress, such people experience loneliness and not uncommonly attempt suicide. It is very sad how one has failed to utilize the capacity of human birth. For a perceived short term gain, the selfish person forgets the long term benefits of living and sharing with others.
Conclusion

AM philosophy says that the whole world is one society. Everyone is my own. With this type of feeling, love for each other will increase in a society. A lot of problems which exist today in the world will be easily resolved and new ones arising in the future can be prevented by developing a sense of togetherness and removing self-interest by thinking the whole world is one society, and everyone is my own.

In Him,
Nirakar

“Human beings of the world, unite!”

Ananda Marga ideology says, “Sadvipras will firmly declare, “All human beings belong to one race. Everyone has equal rights. Human beings are brothers and sisters!” These sadvipras will sternly warn the exploiters of society, “The exploitation of human beings cannot be allowed!” and, “Religious hypocrisy cannot be tolerated!” Giving a clarion call to the fragmented human society from beneath the saffron flag, the symbol of service and sacrifice, they will proclaim at the top of their voices, “Human beings of the world, unite!” (1)

Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, “Saḿgacchadhvaḿ saḿvadadhvaḿ saḿ vo manáḿsi jánatám.” (2)