In Search of Nirvana …
As humans, we are undeniably shaped by our upbringing and the societal environments in which we exist. Our parents are pivotal in molding our consciences, guided by their understanding of the world. Subsequently, our schools and society contribute to our education, teaching us the norms that enable us to become integral members of our communities, participating in the collective progress that shapes our social conscience for the future.
However, the nature of this pedagogy varies significantly across families, schools, and communities, influenced by economic disparities, giving rise to distinct social classes with diverse perspectives and consciousness within our societies. Consequently, we reside in small tribes within our cities and countries, each with unique realities. Prosperity plays a pivotal role in cultivating these disparate tribal identities, with the gap between poverty and wealth being a chief factor in creating socio-economic classes and sociopolitical realities.
Furthermore, the influence of religious leaders, often associated with false or misleading doctrines, has historically contributed to the shaping of social consciousness. These leaders seek to increase their followers, elevate their status, and amass wealth and power, adding another layer to the complex mosaic of our collective beliefs and values.
The interplay of these factors becomes a toolkit for political strategists to construct political parties, movements, and leaders. These strategies, in turn, shape the social conscience within nations and on a global scale, often promoting biases and manipulating individual consciences to control people, whether through political or religious means.
The evolution of communication, from oral traditions to newspapers, radio, and television, and the rise of social media has furthered the dissemination of news, gossip, misinformation, and conspiracies. These tools introduce biases into our culture, impacting followers, whether for good or bad and those in between.
To discern genuine consciences from false ones, we must understand the essence of human nature and humanity itself. Unity, even in negative contexts, has historically driven human progress. Harmony emerges through individual comradeship and shared objectives, emphasizing human values such as love, respect, reverence, courtesy, and positive advancement. Those who promote hatred, animosity, war, and enmity eventually meet despair, for the magnetism of kindness, empathy, and love fosters unity among humans. However, achieving such harmony requires unlearning the biases and prejudices instilled by our upbringing and society.
Our current political and religious leaders, with control over media, often disseminate information in line with their agendas, leaving us to navigate a world filled with true and false information. This condition isn’t confined to faith or politics but extends to economics, social dynamics, and philosophy. Each nation has leaders of varying veracity, aiming to maintain their power and promote their organizations. They strive to attract followers and financial support by offering short- or long-term socio-economic or ideological rewards. Some go to extremes, eradicating dissent and inciting conflicts, coups, insurrections, and wars to achieve their objectives.
In search of solutions, we must acknowledge that prosperity is a fundamental challenge for humanity. The turmoil in third-world countries often stems from a lack of education, adherence to false ideologies, and oppressive leadership. Many turn to religion for solace and assistance, but religious leaders, like others, may exploit their followers for their comfort.
In contrast, the Western world is governed by corporations, seen as leaders of the free world, yet the pursuit of prosperity enslaves individuals. Consumerism has replaced genuine comfort and prosperity as people tirelessly strive to keep up with the latest gadgets, compressing their leisure time and seeking instant gratification. It’s essential to recognize that pursuing prosperity and consumerism does not necessarily lead to meaningful human fulfillment.
Addressing human society’s and consciousness’s complexities requires unlearning biases, fostering unity, and embracing values that promote harmony, empathy, and kindness. While prosperity is a valid human aspiration, it should not come at the expense of genuine human values and virtues. The path to a virtuous society, peace, and unity in diversity involves shedding the biases and prejudices we have acquired and striving for a deeper understanding of humanity’s fundamental truths.
