The experience described in the writings of Shankara is something all humanity yearns for. It's what people really want. That they belong in the universe, that they are an important part of an ever flowing continuity.
The concept of life, is something always in conflict. People's concepts of “living life” are always different, some may believe that it's living like each day is your last, and others believe that steady planning and a constructed future are the keys to happiness. The reading is disagreeing, however, saying that happiness is the result of finding yourself at peace with the Earth. When one no longer wants for anything, that is when true happiness has occurred. It's a view I am inclined to believe in, as it's something that doesn't need material possessions in order to obtain, it just needs the view that one is a part of the earth, and is the same as everything surrounding it. If everyone was able to participate in that form of thinking, a lot of problems we are faced with today wouldn't be an issue. Inequality would be eradicated, as all people are made of the same substance, and nature would probably be treasured much more than it is at the moment. Though I'm not sure a society would be able to sustain itself if everyone believed that. I think it would end up being a static society where new discoveries would be rare and far between, although whether that's a good or bad thing at this point is something that could be argued.
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Hi Gabrielle,
You wrote: "Inequality would be eradicated, as all people are made of the same substance, and nature would probably be treasured much more than it is at the moment. Though I'm not sure a society would be able to sustain itself if everyone believed that. I think it would end up being a static society where new discoveries would be rare and far between"
That made me think. I thought of all the indigenous religions, where there was that kind of equality, where people did live in connection with the earth, and where new inventions and discoveries were few and far between. In other words, I think people did live that way for a long, long time. Just for myself, I think I'd prefer it that way.
Even thought there would be less discoveries or technilogical advances i think the general population would be happier. As long as all people are content there would be no need for those advances. Because even if you had a fatal disease you would look at death as just another part of life. I really enjoyed your take on this. Thanks for making me think of it from an entirely different perspective.
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