BEYOND THE DOMAIN AND NEED
FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:
BEYOND THE DOMAIN AND NEED
Psychology - human beings vis-à-vis non-human beings!
The Divide between Need and Greed
There
are a few trees around my house in Chennai where many birds live. They (parrots
and sparrows specifically) would set out in groups in the early morning between
5.00 and 6.00 AM for their destinations for food and other activities chirping,
screeching, and buzzing. In the evening, they would return joyously screaming
‘We are back home.’ They perfectly remember their way forward and back. They restrict
themselves to their respective territories and domains and never drift away. None
in the flock would deviate, sidetrack, or go astray.
Animals
in the forests also don’t venture out too far from their traditional wild
habitats unless and until they are seriously disturbed to leave their headquarters in
search of greener pastures by compulsion at times of floods, drought,
famine, wildfire, etc. It is only the man who creates ‘human-wildlife conflict’ resulting in upsetting
the apple cart and disconcerting the wildlife.
Don’t
you feel it mind-boggling that migratory birds fly in the air thousands of
miles without the help of any modern gadgets like a compass to show the direction(s),
weather conditions during their long journeys, etc? What their aim is only the
goalpost! One is rather bemused at their persistence, perseverance, and
steadfastness to cross the length and breadth of the world. How do they manage
to fly over the vast expanses of seas/oceans - how do they get their food - how do
they cross long stretches without rest midway, etc. are questions that are rather baffling and mind-defying!
Man
being a social and political animal he has always had a hegemonic and
one-upmanship attitude to intrude into the wildlife domain for his selfish and greedy
needs giving jolts and turning it topsy-turvy albeit the so-called
sixth knowledge he claims to possess!
A small child is different in that they would normally confine their activities within their homes and a little outside of it but would not try unchartered territories. But alas, as he/she grows, material greed may slowly set in.
The young ones of animals and birds would invariably accompany
their mothers in their formative stages, especially for finding their food,
and not drift away or go astray.
It’s
mind-blowing that birds crossing intra-state, inter-state, inter-region, and
even inter-continental territories never lose their way. No mountain is high
enough for them. They will never mind to fly and fly, fast and sky-high - even to
the Moon and back. They neither turn weary nor take rest.
More than living in the present, man saves a lot for his future and perhaps, sky is the limit for him. Other creatures don’t worry about or brood over the future as man does. Of course, ants do save their food during non-rainy seasons for their rainy season needs, as their movements may remain restricted in wet conditions.
Needless to say, Nature has enough
resources for our needs but not for our greed. Live as if you were to die tomorrow, but learn as if you were to live forever. Learn how to distinguish the need
from greed.
To
quote Erich Fromm “Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an
endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.”
Billy Graham said, “There is nothing wrong with people possessing riches. The wrong comes from riches possessing people.”
He
who has more than what is required to fulfill his basic needs ends up
spending his resources, more often than not, on people and products that he does
not need at all.
Don’t sow the seed of greed into your mind to see it breed and lead you to do a misdeed.
Let us practice to turn needless greed into greedless need!
Greed
begets more greed; needs to more needs, both in an endless spiral.
WEED out GREED whenever and wherever it tends to EXCEED the THRESHOLD, or at least restrict your NEED so as not to indulge in MISDEED.
Let
man always remember the sensible maxim ‘Live and let live’.
R.SAMPATH
18/11/2024
Sir beautiful write up. Yes it is because of greed there is so much war so much unhappiness and already we have destroyed our mother earth. But earth has the ability to recoup itself, similar to our physical.body and hence even if we make amends now and change we and our next gen can live more happily. V. Ramaa
ReplyDeleteWonderful article couched in a simple yet catchy language. An eye opener. At least now let us think of other animals and stop grabbing more than what we need. Weed out greed ... is apt ...It we who are converting all the wetland into dry ones construct apartments in them and then cry wolf during rainy seasons!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Sampath ji
ReplyDeleteHeartiest congratulations to you on publishing your 480th Article.
I feel each Article is a testament to your incredible talent, versatility and profound knowledge.
I have not read all your articles but still on a quick note I can say you cover topics ranging from key personalities and global events to poetry and the simple beauty of nature....in fact you can write seriously and with humor in one go on any word in the English language. Sorry why English. You are so capable and competent in Tamil and Hindi. My knowledge of your blogs is limited and hollow.
Your ability to turn words into vivid stories thoughtful reflection is truly amazing.
This milestone is not just a number. You have Enlightened and touched the readers hearts.
May you continue to write, inspire and achieve greater heights.
With Admiration
Kamala Subramanian