“All places shall be hell that is not heaven”— Christopher Marlowe from the play Dr. Faustus
What does an average human really want? A stress-free life, comfort (read luxury), abundance, health, wealth and lots of love. In short, paradise, a perfect form of existence, which is not wrong as wants are directly related to scarcity. What we do not have, we want the most. Every single human being desires a flawless living where tomorrow is better than today, but when this does not happen, misery, frustration, depression and negativity take over, converting tranquillity into distress.
No doubt, the concept of heaven on earth is difficult to imagine, but check out the time when one is in the company of friends, or engrossed in reading a book, listening to music, or playing with one’s children, or awe-struck by a newfound love, or just basking in the sunshine on a beach, or watching a movie full of suspense, or when in deep slumber, or enjoying a comforting massage on a well-deserved holiday.
These are the occasions when one’s mind is totally oblivious to the pains and stresses of this world, making life seem balmy and oh so livable. Alas! This is just a temporary phase, which is soon overtaken by problems-in-waiting. So many people can be observed to lose their senses at the slightest fear. Sudden attacks of paralysis, hypertension, mental disturbance, heart failure, even diabetes can be triggered when confronted with a troublesome situation.
The world today is gripped with countless problems: from overpopulation to starvation, and from disease to environmental disasters, but perhaps the biggest ailments of all are unrest and fear of the unexpected. In other words, there seems to be no solace for those desirous of respite from every day’s tensions.
To achieve a peaceful society, lessons in respect for oneself and all living beings will have to be re-taught by parents, teachers and all those who are blessed with self-love
Even on a smaller scale, only a few households can claim that they are content with their existence. Unemployment, illness, young deaths, poverty, lack of resources, etc., are ongoing in the lives of people regardless of their social status.
One wonders why there is so much chaos, with people indulging in greed and defying all norms of morality. Why is there the urge to compete with others, knowing well that nature has endowed us with our own peculiar gifts to complement one another? Why do we need to adulterate food, defraud customers, enslave the weak, cheat for minor gains, spread lies, hurt each other, kill, torture, betray and do all kinds of negative things? Why is it that we fail to understand that our wrongdoings are bound to boomerang and eventually target us, yet we continue repeating them?
Is it because we enjoy a volatile environment where everything and everybody is poised against each other, as if one would snatch away the destined blessing of the other? Is there an internal disquiet that manifests in external conflicts and disputes, which transform into agitation that tends to create an atmosphere of explosiveness? Could it be that the ego within our souls is blown out of proportion, which prevents us from seeing others in their perspective or appreciating their point of view? Do we imagine ourselves as demigods, whereby everything we do is correct while the rest of the world is totally at fault? Are the urges of always remaining conspicuous, authoritarian and being ‘the’ one so strong that one tends to shun others as mindless, unimportant creatures born only to serve them?
The one answer that comes to mind is, the majority among us is devoid of self-love. During childhood, we are made to believe that there is a set model and we must live up to certain standards. Any deviation would place us in compartments of rejection, hate and non-acceptance. This kind of sculpture leads us into thinking that we are not good enough, that we are deficient as members of society, and for overcoming these ‘deformities’, we are forced into acts which can make us prominent and worthy in other people’s eyes.
However, in order to please our false egoistic perceptions, we conveniently forget the obstacles we lay in the paths of our own future generation. Since we are unable to love and respect ourselves, we carry the same feelings for others. The powerful kill and destroy without remorse, not realising that they are creating a diabolical world around them, where even they would ultimately find no breathing space. Conversely, those who desire peace for themselves ensure peace for others. Surrendering their ego to self-love means they are not perturbed by their own personalities. They cherish their attributes and imperfections as they value those of others.
To achieve a peaceful society, lessons in respect for oneself and all living beings will have to be re-taught by parents, teachers and all those who are blessed with self-love. Expanding the horizon of compassion for self and those around is the secret to a beautiful and comfortable future. Working on oneself improves physical and mental health, which goes a long way in enhancing confidence, a definite characteristic for facing life’s challenges and building enduring relationships. Those endowed with self-love have no scope for anxiety, depression or self-doubt. They shower blessings on everyone.