The Right Look At Technology
Mukunda Goswami is author of several books. He is a monk and a fine devotee and human
being. He recently came out with the
book, “Spirit Matters,” a collection of articles he wrote for the Hindustan
Times. I chose to pull out an excerpt
from one of his articles pertinent to walking and the reasons for doing so (I
can’t take much credit for walking these last few days due to tough
circumstances including some illness).
From May 27th, 2003:
Driving Toward Liberation or Hell, Our Choice
Everyday about 3,000 people every day die from auto
mishaps. Reckless and drunken driving,
speeding, and distraction, greatly exacerbate this unfortunate phenomenon of
our times […]
In Bangkok
Cars, the machines Americans invented and mass produced in
the early 20th century replaced horse drawn carriages, but almost immediately
they needed new roads. Then exhaust and
the resultant air pollution became a problem.
Costs to create and purchase devices to limit atmospheric contamination
became a problem. Skyrocketing petrol
prices became a problem.
Because we’re bedazzled by the speed and privacy cards
afford, the sense of power of being in the driver’s seat and all the other
benefits to which we’re addicted, these problems seem inconsequential […]
Autos have become a symbol of affluence. Without them, one can more easily transcend the
wide spread conditioning that tells us materially privileged circumstances are
ends in themselves. Even for holistic
health reasons, some car owners now prefer walking, cycling, and public
transport. But the Gita, 6.1, also asserts that “One who lights no fire and
performs no work is not necessarily a true mystic.” This forecasts action and utilization of
technology.
Cars can be meditation chambers or prison cells. We can use them to expand our spirituality or
to watch ourselves pile up in hell.
May the Source be with you!
2 km
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