Sorrows Of Modern Man-Part I

Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 16:43

Man's evolution to the present form of our materialistic society is a result of our innate tendency for change.

In the days of the yore, this urge was channelised by scientists-Rishis who studied the experiences of life and how best they can be controlled, purified and re-adjusted for a more fuller and richer existence.

However in the modem day, the world is the laboratory for the scientists and they have gained mastery and immense knowledge of nature all around us and the world. Man, lost from the old line of thinking thus has come to depend entirely on the outer world for his happiness - a basic need in him.

He who cannot change the very fabric of his thought will never be able to change reality. Man fails to recognise this strongly and is trying to accomplish something big that he forgets that life is made up of small things. In fact he would like a clear sign of love from God like a Swiss Bank account in his name!

All man's actions are motivated by his feeling to be more complete, to be free from his limitations and feel free of his insecurity. He knows that everyone must die at some time and he himself will leave his loved ones - that he is always alone. This sense of loneliness leads to the panic of separateness. He is also afraid of the others. This creates a number of anxieties, worries which drive him to be selfish and concentrate on 'I'.

Man in order to feel one among others, to be free from his sense of loneliness (often attaches himself to a group in his search for completeness). However this is not always possible. Thus alienation causes unhappiness as there is a constant reminder of his limitation.

To be continued

About the author

This article is written by Aarti Ratnam for 'Vedanta Vani' magazine of Chinmaya Mission.