In the epic Ramayana, Ram encounters a peculiar demon in the forest. His name is Kabandha. Kaband ha stretches his two long arms and grabs Ram and his brother and then draws them close to his mouth. That is when Ram notices that the demon has no separate head; it has merged with his stomach. In other words, he sees for his stomach, his hears for his stomach, and he thinks for his stomach. His existence is all about eating. There is no other thought. No other purpose. This is a great metaphor for Capitalism and Socialism - the great economic philosophies that shape our societies today. Take a look at the ambitious billionaires of the world today. They have more wealth than anyone else in the world, but they still want more, pursuing relentless growth. In interviews they appear motivated, driven, hungry, and they glamourise their discontentment. This is because modern society sees endless ambition, like relentless growth, as a virtue, rather than a pathology.
Ambition makes sense when you do not have enough to pay your bills. But what about when you have a surplus of seventy generations? At what point does one say'I have enough'. Modern society says contentment is a pathology - it is equated With complacency in business schools and in the business world. Everyone, poor and rich, is expected to keep running on the treadmill, in the office, on the smartphone, accessible even on vacation, chasing the next goal, the next target, the next vision. Only the lazy rest. The rest have to stay productive.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Importance Of The 'Emergency Kit'
How to overcome difficult times by oneself
हृदय शुद्ध तो परेशानियाँ गौण
जिस मनुष्य का हृदय मलिन होगा उसमें ज्ञानाग्नि जलाने की शक्ति उतनी ही क्षीण होगी, जिसका हृदय शुद्ध होगा वह पल भर में ही आत्म-ज्ञान प्राप्त कर सकता है । यह आत्मज्ञान का मार्ग बहुत ही साहस का मार्ग है।
तनाव कम तो आरामदायक नींद
अच्छी आदतें जीवन के सभी क्षेत्रों के लिए जरूरी - तनाव को प्रबंधित करने और नींद में सुधार करने से लेकर भविष्य के लिए अपने लक्ष्यों को प्राप्त करने तक के लिए, अच्छी आदतें हमारे जीवन के सभी क्षेत्रों के लिए जरूरी हैं। मनोविज्ञान कहता है कि कुछ आदतें हैं, जिसे व्यक्ति स्वस्थ शरीर और मन को विकसित करने के लिए हर रात अपना सकते हैं, जानिए कैसे-
प्रकृति से हम
इंसान की रचना धरती के तत्वों जैसी ही है। प्रकृति हर पल हमारे लिए कुछ करती है, सिर्फ एक पेड़ दस लोगों के लिये पर्याप्त ऑक्सीजन प्रदान करते हैं। जब हम पेड़ों को बचाते हैं तो किसी न किसी रूप में स्वयं को बचाने की ओर ही प्रयास होता है। आइए जानते हैं हमारे शरीर में प्रकृति का कौन सा तत्व किस मात्रा में मौजूद है-
नियम- अष्टांग योग का दूसरा सोपान
\"शौच सन्तोष तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वर प्रणिधानानि नियमाः\" ||32।।
Life, the Great Teacher
When you're busy making plans, watch out
Sthitaprajna
Marks of a Person of Steadfast Wisdom - Part 1
The Four Purusharthas
How to keep a good opening balance
Reading Ganesha
Sources over the ages
From Science to Pseudo-science - Part I
Yoga in regards to changing times