Society at a Critical Juncture
The love of the human heart cannot be contained or confined within the bounds of material acquisition and achievement. In the human heart is an inherent natural desire for the expansive, the mystical, beyond the mundane. Societies that try in one fashion or another to suppress this natural human longing are bound to oppress. Communism did suppress this longing while trying to free people from oppressive religious dogmas. Under communism, they did suppress the mystical tendencies of the individual. Capitalism did suppress these tendencies in the individual as well. Although, supported in organized religion, still capitalism co-opts the individual by making material gain the most important value both collectively but individually.
Those under influence of communist society may find lack of motivation to continue their work because incentives are lacking. Those in capitalist society are so incentive-driven that they lose themselves in their work. Both systems have failed to address the fundamental needs of the human beings. In socialism, there is more effort to meet basic needs and limit excesses of individual entrepreneurial activity. In this way, the socialistic approach is more humanitarian but there is one failing of socialism as it is implemented today in certain countries. The failing is its tendency not to sufficiently reward individuals who do outstanding work. With over emphasis on the concept of equality, one does not want oppression without opportunity for growth but also one will not want to discourage dynamic work.
Thus, in the socialist societies there is a tendency of the people not to put their best effort forward because it is easy to relax. There must be more incentive but not oppression or punishment when one cannot perform one's duties, more incentive to shine in doing dynamic work. All systems present today lack understanding and support for the fundamental urge for mysticism in human life. They want so badly to avoid religious conflict that they have not known how to address this mystical, mysterious aspect of human existence.
The leaders themselves who have formed policies and their governments have been confused on these issues, more confused than earlier leaders. Those who founded this United States were men of mystical leanings and were not confused in these matters. However, today is a different time. In the forming of this country was a nice blend of the urge for freedom from oppression of outside rule and a foundation in a certain type of spiritual sentiment. Today in existing governments, this combination is lacking. There are those who want revolution; there are those who want changes in policies but where are the people who understand the mystical leanings and tendencies of human beings? It is not to promote any religion but to understand this inherent characteristic of the human mind. There is a need for leaders who understand that human beings need a mystical base, need to be free of oppression, need basic food, clothing, shelter, and need incentives to do great works. There is a need for leaders who understand the larger ecological and sociological systems, desire the world's welfare and harmony, and do not carry strong nationalistic or egoic sentiments that prevent them from looking to the welfare of the entire earth.
Today, one cannot separate the welfare of one area from another. Technology has made the world smaller and links will become more and more close. The welfare of one person will more and more directly affect the welfare of another. In this, humanity stands at a critical juncture. It is essential that there be those who come forward, step into leadership and bring new and dynamic policies and programs for the welfare of all beings. They must understand that mysticism is inherent in human life. Human beings cannot be only materialistic. This does not satisfy the human heart and cannot bring a successful society. Now is the time for such leadership to emerge.
The fundamental concepts of the progressive utilization theory (Prout) must be brought far and wide to the public view. These ideas should not be kept by any one organization or particular people. They are needed in the public view. It is time. The time is right. You should do all you can to see that these viewpoints are brought into the general view and brought to people who may make a difference in human society, who can rise up as leaders. These concepts, these thoughts must enter human society. At this time, humanity stands in a very delicate position. If history goes one way, the road is more difficult. Although difficulties cannot be avoided at this stage, they can be made less. Change must occur in the human society. The greed and destruction of this whole planet cannot continue. When an animal soils and destroys its habitat, then surely its own survival becomes endangered. The development of human society and of all of the living beings on the planet earth is intimately associated. At this stage, one cannot separate one nation from another or one segment of society from another. The welfare of all is at stake.
As this becomes more and more critical, solutions are necessary. It is already critical but some will not notice until it comes to their backyard. It is not far from the backyard. It is critical that there be concepts, ideas for people who are grasping for solutions. Therefore, it is an ideal time to introduce and develop Prout on a public scale.
The time is near as the world is shifting and changing and time grows very short. Imagine the repercussions of the exploitation of natural resources, of extinctions of so many species, of environmental pollution, of over-population, of materialism as a primary goal and self-centered mentality that does not think of a larger whole. One may think things are fine because one sits in the comfort of one's own home, flies in the airplane that seems quite safe, has heat and electricity. Everything seems just fine but these are only a thin layer. If lose your mind just a little you will realize it is not at all fine and cannot possibly go on for an extended period. It will not be in the far distant future that some critical decisions will be forced upon the human family. One may close one's eyes and ears only for so long because the noise of the problems will only grow louder and louder, acids in the air, ozone depletion, destruction of habitat, killing of essential oxygen-producing plants, shortages of natural supplies. Today's noisy problems that those in power may prefer not to think about will not just be distant noises tomorrow. There will be critical need for solutions. The neighbor's problem can always be the neighbor's problem but when it becomes yours, it changes. In California, when the power goes off, people notice there is a problem but when it stays on in other states, do they care what happens in California? They blame greedy capitalists and, in fact, in the short run it is greed but in the long run, can this be sustainable? The long run is not so far off. The problems of humanity require global solutions, a new approach.
Communism, capitalism and even socialism as it is today cannot provide viable solutions to the human dilemma. Humanity needs new and dynamic ideas, new ways to solve new problems all will be facing. For many years, people have thought, "Oh, it is the time, the great war, the great depression, the great plague and they have worried and have worried but it hasn't come and hasn't come. Perhaps now they think, "These things will not happen." One need not be psychic; one need merely be rational and take a hard look, clear away the sleepiness of the mind lulled by present comforts. Take a hard look. You needn't be psychic to see that there is a problem soon ahead.
Not only must you work to realize the Great but also you have a duty to the society at large. Those who increase rationality by applying their intellect truly, keeping in touch with their feelings so samskaras are not running the mind and who are in touch with intuition are more capable of being true vipras. Those who have true rationality not mere intellectuality will have to do their all to make certain human society goes forward. Now you may think, "We are very little people stuck in our own jobs, how can we do anything?" But remember, you are not alone and you have a great ideology. Bring that ideology to the front. Make certain it goes out to living beings and do your all. Put aside selfishness. Put aside self-centeredness. Do your all to bring the welfare of living beings at this critical juncture in human history.
It will take many, many hands together, united to hold afloat human society at this time and preserve what you can of all of the living beings. This is not the work of someone else. Who will do it? It must be a personal commitment on each and everyone's part. There is no time to squander in life. There is too much to do at this time. You may say, "Oh, I have this problem; I have this excuse. I have that problem." No. There is no time. The self-centeredness of the greedy vaeshyan societies has brought humanity to this critical juncture and now a new psychology must emerge. The social cycle must turn now, but if it does not turn properly, if not expedited and helped, great catastrophes may occur. What would it take to bring a shudra society? How much destruction?
It is required that those who have capacity do their all and utmost to help the human society move forward at this critical juncture. You have come to this place because inherent in you is the longing to serve living beings and the longing for mysticism and mystical knowledge. So you have come. Awaken yourself from your slumber and move forward on the path of dynamic expression of all that you believe in and hold dear. Spirituality is not merely an individual path to liberation. At this juncture in human society, it is an anecdote to the disease of materialism.
