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Sisters and Brothers,

The entire life of an animal revolves around filling the tummy and mating for reproduction as per Nature’s impulsive signals. Unless trained rigorously, it can hardly do anything else on its own. Biologically, humans are also part of the animal kingdom. Anatomically as well, physical body of a human being has similarity with that of a Gorilla or an Ape. But a human is different from the beasts, as his consciousness is also evolved. He can think. Most importantly, a human being also has feelings/emotions, and sensitivity that distinguish him from other creatures. The level of sensitivity — love, compassion, emotional depth of goodwill, of a person is in fact the true measure of his evolution as a human being.

In the tragic times of drought and famine in his village/town, no sensible person would be able to eat peacefully, even if he has plenty of food. He would open up his stock of food- grains and other resources to share it with others, to distribute it among the worst affected. If there is a fire in the neighborhood, people around don’t simply watch or run away; rather, they would leave aside everything and rush to extinguish the fire, call the fire-brigade, help rescue those caught under the fire, etc. This is the true spirit of humanity. By nature, a human being is social; he cannot survive alone. Sentiments of service and sympathy for others reflect one’s humanness. Coming forward to offer timely and voluntary help to others in the moment of tragedy and dire need is a test of humanity. A person, who, in spite of having the potential and resources to do so, evades such duties and remains pre-occupied with his utterly selfish priorities, is a not a true human being. An emotionless fellow is like a beast in human- body or a demonic humanoid.

Critical Times:

The present phase of life on the earth is quite critical. As such the sun continues to rise in the East and sets in the West. You may also be getting up, doing your chores more or less routinely. Your family and friends might also have been living without any noticeable problem. That way, things may appear normal. You or your acquaintances might not have faced cyclone, flood or any other natural calamity, not even had any first-hand information of any such adversity. But this does not mean everything is and will continue to be so everywhere in the world or in the invisible folds of Nature, and in the subliminal environment of life.

If you care and focus your thoughtful mind and sensitive heart to see what is happening around, if you can feel the ‘pulse’ of Nature in the present times, you will find that this is a challenging phase for humanity, for existence of human culture, and even for sustenance of life on the earth.

Broaden your vision and sharpen your sight and pay some attention to the changes that have occurred or that are taking place on different fronts of life across the globe. The air you are breathing-in is getting more and more polluted by toxic fumes, carbon and other particles, and several other harmful chemicals every day. Natural resources of water are shrinking; industrial waste and sewage water, all sorts of dirt including non- biodegradable waste, and even dead-bodies are being thrown in the rivers and other healthy water-resources. Growing use of chemical treatment of soil (by synthetic fertilizers and pesticides) is gradually converting our food into a slow poison and also destroying the fertility of the soil. Nuclear radiation is a well-known and dreaded threat; adding to that there is also a risk of other hazardous radiations that would further enhance health-hazards to the extent of acute mental and physical disabilities since birth.

Natural resources are being depleted at an alarming rate; equally alarming is the rate of population growth! It appears as if it is heading for an explosion. Ever-increasing inflation rate and massive hazards of adulteration (even in essential commodities) have posed another threat to sustenance of life on this earth. Excessive use of plastic, other synthetic substances, consumption of harmful chemicals and junk food, emergence of ever-new strains of microbes and viruses, coupled with rising stress and expectations and consequent occurrence of dreaded diseases and psychosomatic disorders have posed serious threat on health front.

Luxurious life-style of the haves and unchecked industrialization and single- tracked materialistic development have given rise to global warming; the eco-system too is severely disturbed. It has jerked the equilibrium necessary for Nature’s normal cycle; this in turn is going to disrupt the natural occurrence of Seasons. Normal rainfall in autumn would become rare; there will be either floods or no rains; or there will be weak monsoon during its natural season and heavy showers in winter or summer, and so on; it would be difficult to say whether it would be cold in winter season or in summer, etc?

The scenario is gloomy and frightening on the social front as well. This is a time of insecurity, social disharmony, and rising terror. It looks like nobody has any trust on others. While walking on a road, you don’t know whether and when someone will attack you and snatch away your valuables; or when there would be some gun-shots or bomb blasts! The moral integrity of mankind seems to be diminishing; growth of vices and corruption seem to have no bounds. If the maligning and fall of people’s character continues this way, one day, there would be no room left for mutual respect, trust, love and faith. Then, there would be hardly any respect for brother-hood, sister-hood; no family bond, no friendship, nothing; there would be no values, no humanity in the individuals and the society.

Will you remain a dumb observer sitting quietly and watch all this happen? Do you have no duties in these critical times to save humanity, to save the biosphere? Don’t you feel anything? Has your heart become stony or hard like iron? No! I don’t think this could be the case with all the people. But it looks like that, in their blind race for progress, many have chosen to block or ignore their heart and many more are also being driven towards this path of devolution. Despite being normal humans biologically, they are gradually becoming inhuman. At old age one often finds it difficult to walk straight, with bent waist he appears shorter in height, his eyesight also weakens; he neither wants, nor is he capable of (easily) looking at the sky. Today, most people seem to have become so mentally and emotionally. They hardly think or aspire for higher goals or ideals and worthy accomplishments in this precious life.

Possibilities for You:

I expect you all (who care for self-refinement, and have come here for spiritual enlightenment) have not lost the will and ability to look at higher, nobler aims of life. I hope in these critical times you will not spend all your time in instinctive pleasures and acquiring short term gains. Out of 24 hours in a day, you can easily fulfill all your essential worldly duties in 20 hours: broadly, 8 hours for earning/income generation, 7 hours for rest and five hours for household work. Thus, if you adopt such an orderly routine, and are vigilant to prevent loss of time in arbitrary/ nonproductive activities, you can save 4 hours every day for the service of the society — take initiative to do something to check the negative trends, to allay the adversities in the offing, to generate awareness and motivate more and more people to join hands in this endeavor. If you recognize your potentials and have a strong will, you will find a way to take the first step; if you are determined and sincere, sooner or later, you will receive cooperation and support from several directions. You cannot wait anymore; you can’t ignore the call of time. You will have to shrug off your lethargy, get rid of your ignorance, and overcome your selfish attachments and weaknesses, and move forward to search the path of light.

Do you doubt that you will be at loss or risk in this venture? I can assure you that it will not be so. Look at the life of anyone who had dedicated himself for social uplift, for welfare of the masses, you will find that they have lived an enlightened life and also illumined the life of many; they have risen above and accomplished preeminent aims and also enabled many to rise to reach great heights. For example, look at the great personalities like Gandhi and Vivekanand and so many of their associates and followers! If Gandhiji had continued with his profession as a lawyer / advocate, how much he would have earned and what he would have achieved? But when he devoted his life to the service of the nation, to the welfare of mankind, then? Did he lose anything? Did he ever have any scarcity? He did not grab or use the enormous facilities or opportunities he could have for personal gains; rather, he chose to live in austerity. This way, he was a true Brahmin. One becomes Brahmin not by birth, rather by his altruistic principles and deeds. Gandhiji indeed lived a dignified life worth the glory of a great human being.

If you realize the call of humanity in these critical moments and contribute your time and efforts for it, you would also be among those who can mold the face of circumstances, reverse the prevailing wrong trends, refine and re-orient people’s mentality, and lay the foundation of better, brighter, and dignified future for humanity.

Several times I have appealed through my discourses and articles that this is an extraordinary time. You should not ignore it. You might have seen that on the days of solar or lunar eclipse, some hermits and beggars ask for alms shouting that this charity on such an occasion is a punya (an auspicious action). In the present critical times, humanity is looking at you with hope for your help. You must donate at least a fraction of your time, resources and efforts to meet this unprecedented call of time. What should you do? Time and again I have told you that you should refine your outlook, your thinking, and also disseminate the light of righteous thoughts in all directions.

Have you ever paid attention as to what is distinct and significant in a great person (as compared to other fellow beings)? Is it the body, its appearance, its structure, some organs, blood, bones, muscles, flesh, or the (bio)-chemicals? No! In fact, it is one’s wisdom, one’s righteous thoughts that play most important role in his life.

It is the quality and power of thoughts that transform ordinary persons into great persons like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, etc. If today’s man really had prudence, righteous thoughts, and farsightedness, he would not have invited the adversities and threats to his own existence, would not have created the tragic circumstance prevailing today. The shape of the world would have been quite different in that case. Then the intellectual evolution and progress would have ushered heavenly peace and happiness in the world. Divinity would have been reflected in the character and behavior of humankind. But where is that thoughtfulness, where is that enlightenment, the light of wisdom?

Awakening of wisdom is true ascent of intelligence; clarity and maturity of thoughts, positive outlook, farsightedness, awareness, sense of responsibility, ethical integrity, fearlessness and courage, are its natural outcomes. In the ancient times, sagacious saints, (true) Brahmins used to guide the masses, disseminate the light of wisdom in the society. I urge you all, all the responsible citizens, the seekers of progress and wellbeing, to bear this responsibility in the present times. If you think money and materialistic resources as the key to progress, you are wrong. Let me tell you that in the future system of the world, materialistic wealth will not be a personal commodity; it will not be accumulated at any (power) center, rather it will be a social property to be used for collective good.

So you better cultivate spirituality in your outlook, aspirations, thinking, and behavior. This is the key to holistic wellbeing and progress. It will nurture the sentiment of selfless service, which in turn will bestow enormous inner peace and unalloyed joy. Spirituality is also going to be the source of happy survival and future progress of human society. Simple living and high thinking becomes natural with the adoption of spiritual outlook. Then you will find that you have substantial time, potential, talents/skills and resources left for genuine social welfare. You can deploy these to improve the ambience of your surroundings, generate positive thinking, and contribute to constructive efforts for the upliftment of the needy around you. You may motivate your like-minded friends to also come along. You don’t have to leave your home, your household responsibilities, or duties at work-place for this. You only have to realize the purpose, aims and importance of your life, and carefully review and modify your life-style, your time and resource management. Continued endeavor of self-refinement in the light of noble thoughts, character and works of great personalities should be integral part of your routine from now.

If you want, you may come here for guidance and also join suitable training courses here at Shantikunj 1 , Haridwar. Along with s3dhan3-sessions of self- refinement and spiritual awakening, we also offer regular course and training programs designed especially for voluntary social- workers who have different backgrounds. No fee is charged here for any course; free lodging and boarding is also provided to the trainees. This ashram is a unique, spiritually vibrant institute of character-building that I envisage as a resurrection of the ancient Universities of Nalanda and Takshashila (Taxila), which were the preeminent centers of global enlightenment. In essence, here you will get live-experience and training of Sanjovani Vidy3 — adept art of living a worthy, progressive, and fulfilling life.

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