Living in the rhythm of nature

Ancient scriptures mention the human beings as having five sheaths—the environment, the physical body, the mind, the intuitive sheath and the fifth sheath is purushartha, ie., the blissful state. 

The environment is our first body. Historically, nature has always been adored in India; mountains, rivers, the sun, the moon, the trees have always been honoured. It’s only when we start moving away from nature that we start polluting it. We need to revive the ancient practice of honouring and conserving nature.

Today, man has become greedy, he wants to make profits and achieve results. This not only pollutes the physical environment but also stimulates negative emotions at some level.
These negative emotions do not stay limited to one person but rubs off on all those who he comes in contact with. These negative vibrations once compounded are the root cause of all disasters and misery in the world.

Most of the wars are triggered by such feelings. We need to attend to the human psyche which causes pollution, whether physical or emotional. If compassion and care are kindled within the self, they reflect in the environment and a sense of sacredness follows.

Just observe nature; the five elements of nature are opposed to each other. Water destroys fire, fire destroys air... Then there are so many species in nature—the birds, reptiles, mammals; all these different species are hostile towards each other and yet nature balances them. 

People should be encouraged to treat the planet as sacred, to treat trees, rivers and people as sacred and to see God in nature and in people. This will foster sensitivity. It is basically insensitivity that makes a person act callously towards environment. 

The ancient people did not wash clothes in holy rivers; only ashes of cremated bodies were to be submerged in the river so that everything gets digested back to nature. It is unfortunate that we don’t understand the depth of scriptures but just follow empty and meaningless practices blindly.

Pooja does not mean just lighting a lamp and revolving around the tree; worshipping cows does not mean garlanding them and lighting camphor. Real pooja is honouring the tree, honouring the animal, feeling a sense of responsibility and belongingness towards nature and creation.  

We need to balance our views with a free mind, devoid of any inhibitions and prejudices. We need to work out ways and means of protecting our beautiful planet earth. For this to happen, human consciousness must rise above greed and exploitation. 

Processes and objects that are anti-nature and anti-environment are also anti-health. We simply don’t know this; nobody would want to do something knowing that it will invite suffering. We need to explore means of healthy lifestyles. If you ignore it, you cannot become environment conscious, it’s almost impossible. Because somewhere deep within you, your cravings, your aversions and your anger will all, directly or indirectly, start affecting your environment.

Spirituality has been a time-tested answer. It eliminates all negative emotions; it elevates one’s consciousness and promotes a sense of caring for the whole planet. We need to revive the ancient practice of honouring nature.

The writer is the founder of Art of Living Foundation.