By Murli Chari
With rapid quantum leap in modern science and technology may make us dump all that is old. However, ancient wisdom is still relevant and relevant in these troubled times. Even thousand from now the vintage wisdom will be germane to living harmoniously. We can not dismiss whatever is old as archaic, obsolete, and anachronic. Ancient wisdom has stood the test of time. However, much as mankind progresses wisdom would come in handy in assuaging the hurt feelings and restoring sanity due to frayed tempers. Wisdom is the maturity and knowledge gained through experience to make decisions. Mere knowledge will not suffice. A wise person will have enough patience and compassion. His actions are replete with love and kindness as also he is very considerate. Wisdom saves a lot of time, energy, heartburn, and frustrations. A truly evolved person will blend both wisdom and modern thinking with great ease. Wisdom brings a semblance of equanimity and a humanitarian approach to all facets of life. Without ancient wisdom supreme bliss is just not possible. Wisdom is not a commodity that can be bought in the marketplace. Wisdom is an ocean created by the myriad rivers of experiences of entire humanity. This ocean is a perennial source of ambrosia. Each one of us need not go through the same experiences to gather wisdom. Ignoring wisdom would be perilous for humanity. We need to revere wisdom as that would make our lives wonderful.
Modern technology, knowledge, and science are also equally important. Modern technology and science have the ability to burgeon and ameliorate a lot of millions of hapless people who are grappling with life. Modern knowledge, science, and technology can foster humanity and egalitarian affluence with great ease and poise. However, modernity has to shed its hubris and build a sustainable environment with due reverence for mother nature. The modernity of thoughts and technology should deploy the resources for constructive purposes rather than on developing sophisticated weapons of mass destruction. The paradigm shift in thinking is needed as the current trend of using technology for Narcissism is fraught with danger and is a recipe for mass suicide due to the rat race. There is a need for a humanitarian approach in promoting commerce. New age technology has made so many things easier and more affordable. In yesteryears what was considered a luxury and the exclusive preserve of the elite and affluent has become affordable for all and sundry. Take for example the current pandemic covid 19 which was considered intractable has become less lethal with the development of vaccines within a very short period of time. New age thinking has to tinker and tweak old biases and bring the whole of humanity under one roof. The current biases have become fetters. The Internet has become ubiquitous revolutionizing the way we live, learn and interact. The knowledge economy which is at the forefront is very democratic and is creating a level playing field for all. The old thinking that gold makes the rule is on the brink of death.
As predicted by the famous futurologist Alvin Toffler in his magnum opus book Third Wave industrial revolution will be replaced by a knowledge economy. We see myriad start-ups becoming unicorns with very little gestation period. We need to integrate the wisdom of yesteryears with the current wave of civilization to bring a catharsis in we handle ticklish issues. We can have the cake and eat it too. We have to blend ancient wisdom with modern science and technology. Technology has to have a human face and for that the distilled wisdom of centuries is vital. Wisdom is the essence of humanity. Modernity promotes sheer hedonism and that may lead to the apocalypse. Wisdom is the ambrosia and nectar and modernity replete with knowledge, advanced technology and science is the structure. Wisdom is the elixir assuring of salubrious and congenial weather for science and technology to flourish. Wisdom and science complement each other very well. The wisdom of the ancient need not be sacrificed on the altar of modernity. Let us all coalesce all our wisdom and modernity to create a paradise on earth. Not doing so would be committing Hara-kiri out of stupidity.
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