Blind eye

I’ve just returned from a two week tour of Bangladesh. Crowned the happiest nation in the world by social researchers at LSE, one can sense the contentment that comes from simple living and high thinking. However, on a second-class overnight train from Chittagong to Dhaka I was confronted with the flip side of the story. A constant stream of desperate beggars petitioned passengers to lend a hand – they were frail, hungry and completely at the mercy of others. As we pulled into the dingy station, the platform was lined with a row of homeless bodies, struggling to catch some rest on the smelly stone cold floor. Past the ticket counters a leper boy perched on the shoulders of his blind friend investigated the trash cans for any useful scraps that may help them get through the day. It was a sorry sight.

Here we come face-to-face with acute poverty - graphic reminders that you don’t see every day in London. It was heart-wrenching, and it definitely made me think. As I studied the reactions of many people around me however, I couldn’t help but feel they were cold and uninterested. It could be that after years of daily exposure one becomes desensitized and emotionally indifferent to the struggles of others. It could just be practical measures. After all, who has the capability to give every beggar a dime, or even the time to politely decline? Either way, it would seem wrong to completely ignore the torment, suffering, pain and desperation that is a daily reality for millions of people worldwide. When you see that, your own life problems don’t really seem very significant anymore.

In my youth, I always found it uncomfortable and awkward to witness images of suffering. Change the channel, skip the newspaper article, or close your eyes – out of sight out of mind. Nevertheless, hard as I tried, I couldn’t seem to forget. Some of it was compassion, but a lot of it was guilt. I had everything while other kids had next to nothing. I’m sure these striking images left a deep impression that perhaps propelled me into a life of renunciation and spiritual welfare work, where I felt I could do my little bit to help the world. Seeing the desperately needy people on this trip rekindled those same emotions and reminded me of my deeper calling. The life of a spiritualist is a life of giving, a life of compassion, and a life of sacrifice for the upliftment of others. Selfless service in consciousness of God is the essence of spirituality. We find ourselves by forgetting about ourselves. Turning a blind eye to the pain of others is not really an option.

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Google vs God

Think of someone you go to when you need help... someone who is always available... someone who has all the answers... someone who never gets angry or frustrated. Yes, I’m sure you’ve guessed it... Google! Those of you who were thinking of God are just old fashioned and out-of-touch! Google now logs 2 billion searches everyday, which translates to around 300 million users. According to internet trends, the term "Google" is searched for more than the terms "God", "Jesus", "Allah", "Buddha", "Christianity", "Islam", "Buddhism" and "Judaism" combined. There is now a “Church of Google,” and they even have a list of commandments that they follow!

Unfortunately, the reality is that Google does fall short in key areas. The popular search engine provides access to a storehouse of information, collected through the study and research of millions of people. However, even the combination of a million human brains will struggle to grasp transcendental realities beyond the experience of the mind and senses. Google has the ability to answer a multitude of questions and queries, but when it comes to establishing a personal, loving and meaningful relationship with its users, the search engine falls short. Google may have backed up its servers and arranged emergency power supplies, but it is definitely not eternal, immortal or omnipresent; we have all experienced the volatility of modern technology. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Google fan, but it definitely can’t discharge God’s job description.

While technology undoubtedly enhances aspects of our lives, solves certain problems and brings a sense of security, it cannot replace the deep yearning for spiritual connection. The discoveries and innovations of modern science are undoubtedly praiseworthy and notable. However, the notion that such advancements have replaced the need for spirituality is not only erroneous, but frankly a little arrogant and bigheaded. As spiritual beings, our number one priority is to reawaken our true sense of self awareness, inner happiness and relationship with God. To the extent that technology aids us in our personal spiritual journey, and simultaneously helps us to communicate such knowledge to the world, to that extent we gratefully accept its utility. Otherwise, we are quite happy to do without.

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