Human form of life is meant for real satisfaction, which comes through self-realization that comes from the purification of the heart. But people, today, consider that this is impractical, unrealistic. This is the most unfortunate condition, the cause of all problems. It is practical, to destroy the water, to destroy the air, to destroy the ground with pollution, nuclear waste—it’s very realistic, is it not? It is very realistic and practical to be so frustrated in material endeavors, to fill our bodies with drugs and alcohol, to fill our ears with music, which simply makes us like a mad man. Or to be so called pious, give charity, be a good person for fame and adoration and when we don’t get enough fame and adoration become totally frustrated and seek revenge from those who have offended us. The culmination of all this craziness is divorces, drug addiction, nations pointing nuclear weapons at one another ready to destroy the earth.
What is the cause of all these problems? One thing. There is one cause for all of these problems in the world if we examine properly. People are discontent. The more they have the more discontent they become. The poor man wants to be a rich man; he is discontent. The rich man wants to be a millionaire, the millionaire wants to be a billionaire, and the billionaire wants to be a multi-billionaire. The multi-billionaire wants to control the earth. Even if he controls the earth, he would be looking towards the moon. And even after conquering the moon, he would probably become an alcoholic, because he is still not content, and he doesn’t know what else to look for.
By Radhanath Swami
