Peace on Earth: Greed Is a Threat to Civilisation

By A K MERCHANT

On his release from prison, the great Nelson Mandela said: "Together we live in a global neighbourhood and it is not to the long-term benefit of any if there are islands of wealth in a sea of poverty. We need a globalisation of responsibility as well. Above all that is the challenge of the new century." Mandela was absolutely right. The evolution of technology down the linear, reductionist path, which defines only that which is physically quantifiable, has jeopardised our eco-system, if not human civilisation.

Our advances cannot be disputed. But have we lost the woods for the trees in this directionless drift towards modernity, in the process threatening to self-destruct? Living a truly happy life depends on how wisely we spend our rich endowment of knowledge, emotions, skills, time, energy and material resources. It is also true that living one day at a time is a challenge better met on some days than in others. In the competitive and unjust world, the approach should be to celebrate every little wise investment, no matter how small, while keeping at bay the demands of lower nature and the inertia of drifting through life.

According to renowned British historian Arnold Toynbee, the founders of the great world religions emphasise basic principles that determine the survival of a civilisation. In his words, "The whole duty of man in this Day is to attain that share of the flood of grace which God poureth forth for him. Let none, therefore, consider the largeness or smallness of the receptacle. The portion of some might lie in the palm of a man's hand, the portion of others might fill a cup, and of others even a gallon-measure." The transformation of the world for the better will to a great extent depend on what each person does with what he or she possesses rather than lament over what he or she does not have.

We all share with one another the fact that we arrive in this world as spiritual beings, for a purpose, and at some point we will leave it. So, while we are here on earth, we must make continual choices. We have neither unconditional freedom nor limitless power, but we do have the capacity to make of ourselves developed and seasoned spiritual beings bringing happiness and sharing goodness with as many as possible, who cross our path.

As the events of the twentieth century have demonstrated, patterns of habit which have taken root over thousands of years are not abandoned spontaneously or as a result of education or legislative action. In both the individual and society, a profound change occurs more often than not as a response to intense suffering, and unendurable difficulties that can be overcome in no other way. An experience of momentous proportions is needed to raise our collective consciousness to new heights of maturity. Otherwise, who else but we shall be responsible for the impending civilisational black hole.

Over a century ago, Baha-'u'llah issued to the peoples of the world an appeal of particular significance: "Be anxiously concerned", he urged, "with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." And echoing the Vedic dictum, he wrote: "Be united in counsel, be one in thought". However great the turmoil, it is my firm conviction, the period into which humanity is moving will open to every individual, every institution, and every community on earth unprecedented opportunities to participate in the writing of the planet's future. "Soon", is Baha'-u'llah's confident promise, "will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead".

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See also: Peace of Mind, Peace on Earth, Life and Beyond, Love and Happiness, Body Mind and Soul)