Me = Nature

According to our friend Wiki, the word nature is derived from the latin word natura which means "essential qualities, innate disposition", and in ancient times, literally meant "birth". This process of birth is believed to have begun billions of years ago and led to the evolution of flora, fauna and other natural resources - the harnessed ones and the non-renewable ones. Over all these years, along with nature, the human species has developed to an unimaginable extent as well. The last 150 years has seen a series of new inventions, discoveries and breakthroughs. The question however, still remains - Does this really account for our development in the true sense of the word?

The human species, ever since its existence, has been thriving on mother earth. It has only utilized the earth as a resource to fulfill its needs and has never taken into consideration that NATURE and HUMANS are not separate entities. Each is dependent on the other for its balance. Most of the inventions, discoveries being used by the human race today have conveniently forgotten this truth. We have neglected the need of harnessing and utilizing resources or making new inventions keeping in mind questions like : Is it renewable? Is it eco-friendly? Supply vs Demand? Take for example the use of plastic or the use of coal & natural gas. The demand is many folds more than the natural supply in case of coal, while on the other hand, till a few years back the giant companies in the plastic industry had hardly given a thought to disposable (renewable) plastic. All these unanswered questions have piled up over the years to give rise to an alarming situation where we are finding bandages to problems rather than permanent solutions for these loop holes in technological advancements.

Again, looking at a different perspective, even though as a species we have developed ourselves to a superior level, we have miserably failed to balance this development at a satisfaction level. The development of the human mind has been at a much slower pace compared to the human brain. The need of the day is to raise our level of thought to understand that Me = Nature. Our Vedas have always reiterated this idea of oneness for centuries - "aham brahmasmi". However, over the years, living has become more of a question of competition; of a race; where Darwins' theory of Survival of the Fittest has been taken a level further to Survival of the Greediest.  

When technological advancements took place, the idea was to reduce human effort and have a work schedule of 3-4 days a week. However, along with these advancements the human desire to possess more (Greed - one of the Seven Deadly Sins) led to an ironic situation and to this day we see majority of the individuals (we being no different) working more than 8 hours a day and in excess of 5 days a week! Can we call this real development? Or have we rather complicated our own lives? My thought here is not against scientific development but more against having a chalta hai, humko thodi farak padega (its fine, 'I' am not getting affected) attitude towards the environment.

Our duty towards our fellowmen and future generations should be to preserve nature by figuring out eco-friendly and renewable solutions as much for the new discoveries as for the old ones (development of the brain) and at the same time, understanding the fine line between need and greed (development of the mind). Our lookout should also be to instill in the new generation (in school & at home) this higher thought of Eco-friendly Scientific Development and Living. Otherwise, soon we will be a part of the Guinness Book Of World Records for being the first intelligent species responsible for self destruction.

Let it begin with us. Be Responsible! Be Aware! Live Green...