Complexity in Modern Lifestyles
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 29 Apr 2024
Dr. Ravi P. Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service
The world that we see around us is complex and trying to live meaningfully in it, is not easy both physically and mentally. There was a time when we led simple lives that were comfortable and meaningful both physically and mentally. But the outside world is now fairly complex and living meaningfully is usually difficult . Even thinking of such a situation entails major changes in our lives and adjusting to it both physically and mentally.
What we conceive mentally may necessitate changes in the mind also . Does it have a physical reality? We can think of living in a big house, but it is not likely to have a physical reality — the house or apartment we may be living in may be small and may just consist of two rooms and a kitchen and bathroom. Should we then be thinking of something that may not have have physical reality?
Many people may say that we should not be deluded by grandiose thoughts — be they consist of big bungalows or be they be about our status in life.
For example we may have a job that barely meets our basic requirements of life — food, travel to our place of work, or our status in the office or industry where we work, etc. Should we dream about becoming the boss or at least of holding an important executive position in our job? Most people would say we should not dream of unrealistic situations and be content with what we are.
Another opinion would be that if we don’t even think about improving our position and status how can we in reality become better or more successful in life ? We should not be content in just remaining in a shallow situation but think of furthering our life and mind. Thinking of a successful facet of our life would help us to explore different situations, to work harder for achieving at least a modest improvement in our life and status.
However, there is the question of mental attribute : how can we become kind or generous or think of welfare of people with whom we come in contact? Thinking kindly of others or being generous in our contact is not just for others’ sake but also gives us satisfaction and is comforting. Thus making changes in our lives requires both physical and mental efforts. Considering the above example of living in a big house requires physical and monetary efforts but we may try to live comfortably and with satisfaction even in a small house. What is required is not to be swept away by grandiose thoughts but feeling comfortable in their absence also.
We are proposing a simple, sincere lifestyle that makes us feel comfortable and not encouraging a grandiose and unnatural ways of living. Such a simple lifestyle is beneficial from different perspectives including from the point of environment friendly angle. Our environment is deteriorating due to several factors including our lavish lifestyle that is opposed to simplicity. So let us live in a simple manner and prevent too big a pressure on our resources and the environment. This will also make us feel comfortable mentally and physically.
We may know how many people live simply and meaningfully in our country. These are adivasiswho take care of not only their families but also the environment. Let us follow this section of our population and feel that we are also living simply and meaningfully. The complexity of modern lifestyles will appear less complex and more meaningful.
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Dr Ravi P Bhatia is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment, an educationist, Gandhian scholar and peace researcher. Retired professor, Delhi University. His new book, A Garland of Ideas—Gandhian, Religious, Educational, Environmental was published recently in Delhi. ravipbhatia@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 29 Apr 2024.
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