"Thank you. And how many of you have made progress in the right direction? Yes, no, maybe. Don't know."
We stand at a crossroads, listening to these poignant words, perhaps realizing that direction is far more critical than the speed of progress. In today's world, filled with opportunities for material gains and technological advancements, it’s easy to equate progress with accumulation. But are we truly evolving towards a better version of ourselves?
The Paradox of Progress
In this era characterized ironically by both abundance and void, we have more access than ever before — more choices, more exposure, more material wealth, and unfortunately, more complications. Our lives are peppered with an excess of everything: we have more “stuff” to occupy our time and minds, more conveniences that paradoxically add to our burdens, more distractions pulling us away from what is truly important.
"More air conditioners to cool our bodies down, because we don't trust our bodies to regulate its temperature naturally anymore."
This line lingers because it encapsulates our growing dependence on external solutions and a waning trust in our intrinsic capabilities. It prompts the question: Is this true progress?
Shreya vs Prayer: Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita
Borrowing pearls from the Bhagavad Gita, the contrasting concepts of Shreya and Preya provide a lens through which we can assess the nature of our "progress". Shreya refers to what is beneficial and righteous — the path that leads to ultimate liberation and fulfillment. Preya, on the other hand, denotes the path of pleasure and immediate gratification. Rarely do these paths align.
"Shreya is that which is noble for your ultimate and only purpose of life, freedom, liberation. And Preya is that which is pleasurable. And rarely do these two see eye to eye."
The Wise and the Wild
When Shreya and Preya do converge, they invite us to rediscover our true selves — our wise and wild. Our wise, like an infinite wellspring, stores the collective wisdom of ages, urging us to question superficial advancements. Meanwhile, our wild champions intuition, calling for a return to our authentic selves that listen to the rhythms of nature and our innate understanding.
Reflecting on Human Evolution and Devolution
Historically, humans lived intimately with nature. We walked barefoot, climbed trees, and hunted, gathering only what was necessary. Our surroundings were our storehouses and pharmacies, designed perfectly to mirror our needs. Fast forward to today, our technological "progress" has come at the cost of this profound bond with the environment.
"We raped our mother with fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, and eventually put that in our bodies."
The Industrial, White, and Information Technology revolutions transformed our landscapes and lifestyles. The allure of mechanization and efficiency overshadowed the intrinsic wisdom of natural simplicity. Where manual labor was replaced by machines, and organic produce was supplanted by chemically enhanced foods, we began to lose touch with our bodies and minds.
The Era of Artificial Intelligence
Today, we teeter on the brink of what some call the most transformative revolution yet: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Machines are not just smarter; they threaten to overshadow human intelligence. With AI promising to handle even the minutiae of daily life, we are left with an existential question: What remains of humanity’s unique spirit?
"We're going to outsource our intelligence as well. So what's that going to leave us with? Where is our wise and our wild?"
Rediscovering Spiritual Quotient through Yoga
This would be futile pondering if we couldn't harness this new age to introspect. To return to our roots, we must embrace traditional wisdom, particularly the tenets of yoga, which promote balance and completeness through four pillars:
A for Ahar (Intake):
- Eating local, seasonal, and natural foods.
- Reducing dependency on packaged or refrigerated goods.
V for Vihar (Movement):
- Aligning bodily movements with the universe.
- Practicing mindful physical activities such as yoga or meditation.
A for Achar (Conduct):
- Engaging in ethical behavior towards oneself and others.
- Embracing less negativity, less lying, and minimalism in possession.
- Incorporating the Yamas (ethics) and Niyamas (disciplines) of yoga into daily life:
- Non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-hoarding, and non-excess.
- Purity, contentment, discipline, self-study, and surrender to a higher purpose.
V for Vichar (Thought):
- Cultivating positive thoughts because they ultimately forge our destiny.
- Using our thoughts to fuel actions that build character and purpose.
Spirituality as Self-Ownership
Ultimately, spirituality is about embracing who we are and being true to ourselves. It does not call for detachment from reality but advocates for a balanced, grounded approach to it. Real progress lies not in the material possessions we gather but in the self-awareness we cultivate. Indeed, spirituality in its raw essence is 'sexy', making self-love sacred and transformative.
"Spirituality which is owning who you are, being true to yourself because spirituality is indeed sexy and self-love is sacred."
Conclusion: Coming Full Circle
To excel genuinely, perhaps we need to redefine success. It's not about escaping to the remote reaches of space or amassing more possessions than your neighbor. True progress and innovation begin within. By rekindling the dialogue between our wise and our wild, we can traverse the landscape of life with purpose and meaning.
Let us rekindle our age-old wisdom with the curiosity of youthful exploration, step into enlightenment with each intentional thought, and let our actions ripple through time, embodying values that stand the test of eras.
Embrace progress, not as a measure of riches or technological feats, but as an unwavering alignment with our core, unlocking the cosmic dance of the wise and the wild within.
Thank you, beloveds, for embarking on this journey of insight and reflection, breaking free from the era of excess to become truly unstoppable.
Midjourney prompt for the cover image: An abstract depiction of the paradox of progress. A human silhouette stands between the opulent era and a serene, natural landscape, symbolizing the journey from excess to enlightenment. The setting is split, with one half showing chaotic cityscapes of modern excess, while the other half displays a tranquil natural environment. The camera angle is wide to capture the contrast and the silhouette’s contemplative posture at the intersection. Unique details include contrasting elements like skyscrapers and luscious forests, digital screens and ancient scrolls. The style is a sketch cartoon, with a mood that evokes introspection and transformation.
SPIRITUALITY, SELF-AWARENESS, EXCESS, PROGRESS, WISDOM, BHAGAVAD GITA, YOGA, YOUTUBE