By Murli Chari
This aphorism is a paradoxical one running contrary to popular myth where self-centeredness is the obsession. Most of us have been programmed and tutored that if we want to become affluent, we need to cut corners and resort to unscrupulous and unethical means. This paradigm is firmly ensconced in our psyches that any new and fresh idea is scoffed at. We think altruism will empty our coffers and render us bankrupt. On the contrary altruism is the safest bet to burgeon our wealth as we create abundance for all and they in turn will enhance our affluence. It’s a skewed philosophy that knowledge grows by sharing and wealth diminishes by sharing. Just imagine if you help others to create a great lifestyle, they will express their immense gratitude and will enhance your prosperity multiple times. The whole economy runs on the premise that if the money keeps circulating in the system it enriches millions and if it is hoarded creates scarcity. Altruism is a very sophisticated form of humanism and generosity.
Altruism is selflessness but it does not mean that we are sacrificing and compromising our
responsibilities towards ourselves, our families, our friends, and near and dear ones. A modicum of altruism on the other part of each of us will create a Paradise on Earth. It has been observed that when we are selfless and extend our helping hand to others positive enzymes like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins are released that creates euphoria, ecstasy, and exuberance. There are many who have made immense philanthropy like Tatas, Azim Premji, Warren Buffet, and the legions of others.
Now, coming to the current trend of Narcissism and hedonism there is dog-eats-dog culture everyone is baying for the blood of each one. Since, everyone is scrambling for more and more material riches leading to anarchy, chaos, and stress. The more we earn the more we are lured into the quagmire. We human beings are so possessed with wealth which is hoarded to secure the future which is dreaded like a vampire. This solitary fear of the future lurking around is the reason we hoard wealth. However, this is creating a platform to resort to villainous and venal ways to amass wealth at any cost. In fact, there is a cornucopia of abundance available to all of us but its our scarcity mentality and the fear of the future
turning every hostile to everyone. We are all at loggerheads with each other. Even the so-called animosity between various religious communities is not a fight of tenets but hankering after power and pelf. We have due to our avarice and self-centeredness caused immense damage to our ecology as we are plundering as if there is no tomorrow. We have ravaged our mother earth and pushed many species to extinction.
Everyone would appreciate that altruism is the only way forward. We all need to practice altruism for the good of all. Its our innate nature to help others but mutual mistrust has led to carnage, mayhem, and devastation. Altruism promotes bonhomie, camaraderie, and compassion. Ubuntu promotes the same philosophy. It promotes goodwill as even the rank stranger or avowed enemy is moved by this principle. This philosophy if followed by nations would bring peace, progress, and prosperity to the whole of mankind. A nation’s character, ethos and pathos are but a collection of collective consciousness. We all share the same heritage and collective wisdom. Altruism is, in fact, the panacea for many intractable problems. Selfishness, creates stress, anxiety, and frustration as well as leads to ulcers, heart attacks and other illnesses. Human beings have evolved over time and are now at the
threshold of making the most of altruism. This virtue ensures supreme bliss, happiness, and serenity. An Altruist creates edifices in the hearts of millions making redundant the need to amass wealth. Many scientists, warriors, social workers, leaders, and statesmen are exceptionally great altruists. Even a handful of altruists can ameliorate a lot of millions of hapless human beings. A very renowned saint St Francis said, “When you are good to others you are best to yourself.” The essence of altruism is the innate humanity and compassion we have for all human beings and other living beings.
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