Natural calamities, Gaia and Swami's outlooks

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

The Earth as a cosmic body has been troubled from times of its formation.

The mountains, oceans, landscape of planet has formed through severe natural

calamities took place for millions of years before the formation of life forms

and human society. The destructive tectonic processes are not disappeared until

to today. Vice versa, during the last tens years the destructive (as a special

form of recreation) activity of Mother Earth has risen tens of time. The cause

here is one: a harmful and destructive humans’ activity on the Earth.

Let's analyze some standpoints of ancients and science and Swami's explanations

concern to natural disasters, natural forces and humans' actions what are not in

balance with laws of Nature. (It is my standpoint and there should be the other

standpoints too for discussion). Throughout history, the concept of

Mother Earth has been a part of culture of humanity. For example, by Hindu

scriptures Godness Kali (as several other Gods and Godnesses) represents the

Cosmic Power with all of the good and all of the bad in the Universe. She has a

capacity for destruction and creation. The ancient Greeks called Earth

Goddess Ge or Gaia i.e. Mother Earth, the source of the living and non-living

entities that make up the Earth. (The prefix "ge" in the words 'geology',

'geography,' 'geophysics', etc. is taken from the Greek root for Earth).

Many scientists of the past described the Earth as one super organism with

diverse processes on it. The worldly known Russian scientist Vernadsky wrote:

"Life appears as a great, permanent and continuous infringer on the chemical

'dead-hardness' of our planet's surface ... Life therefore is not an external

and accidental development on the terrestrial surface. It is intimately related

to the constitution of the Earth's crust, forms part of its mechanism, and

performs in this mechanism functions of paramount importance, without which it

would not be able to exist." (Vernadsky, V.I. 1929. La Biosphere. Felix Alcan.

His principal book was at first published not in Russia, but in France). The

father of geology, James Hutton (1726-1797), Lewis Thomas, a medical doctor and

writer, Lynn Margulis, microbiologist, collaborator of James Lovelock, English

inventor, atmospheric chemist, generalized the theory by what the biosphere is

a self-regulating entity with the capacity to keep our planet healthy by

controlling the chemical and physical environment. He called this theory

”Gaia" and defined it as a complex entity involving the Earth's biosphere,

atmosphere, oceans, and soil; the totality constituting a feedback or

cybernetic system which seeks an optimal physical and chemical environment for

life on this planet. By Gaia theory, the Earth is acting as a single

system. Such scientific approach is a step towards spiritual outlook of

creation and stimulated a new awareness of the universal connectedness, unity

in diversity. Gaia is a scientific idea that stimulates to connect scientific

researches with spiritual aspects of life and whole existence; it indirectly

leads scientists to the idea of Creator. The Earth acts to regulate flows

of energy and recycling of materials. The input of energy from the sun occurs

at a constant rate and for all practical purposes is unlimited. This energy has

captured by the Earth in form of heat or photosynthetic processes, and returned

to space as long-wave, i.e. infrared radiation. Theory of Gaia hypothesis

grasps a study of the physiology of the Earth, where the oceans and rivers are

the Earth's blood, the atmosphere is the Earth's lungs, the land is the Earth's

bones, and the living organisms are the Earth's senses. Lovelock calls Gaia in

general geophysiology of the Earth. In general Gaia is as a total planetary

being with all organisms on it from past to future, with its waters and air and

the shifting of the tectonic plates, resulting in the changing shapes of the

continents, oceans.

 

By biogeochemical cycles, the Earth's elements are transformed and carried

around the Earth. The most common biogeochemical cycles are the carbon cycle,

the nitrogen cycle, and the sulfur cycle. Living organisms are a vital part of

these cycles. Tremendous masses of material are consumed, transformed,

transported, and recycled by the actions of living organisms. Lovelock and

many holistic scientists note that for Gaia (humanity is a part of Gaia) there

may be the danger caused by the humans’ race, not only from humans' own

actions, but also by Gaia's reaction to them. Selfish actions of delusive

mind of consumer society caused imbalance, at a critical juncture, it might be

catastrophic to Gaia, consequently for humans' progress as a part of Divine

play in bright (not dark and dirty) colors.

 

The idea of Gaia will become more entwined with spiritual values probably

can help to convert the destructive human activities to constructive, to

harmony with laws of Nature (Creation) and to expand the spiritual and

planetary awareness among human society. (It is interesting to note that

Gaia hypothesis expanded multiple Gaia hypotheses on 1988 at international Gaia

symposium. The first hypothesis is the most supported by scientists what

concludes that life influences planetary processes). Gaia theory is as a

key what has changed the view of many scientists to the world. Integrated with

spiritual outlook to the world it probably helps humanity to survive and to

develop towards higher spiritual quantities. Humanity is one entity as a part

of a larger system and reliant on Gaia, a supreme system. From this standpoint

Gaia is a step forward to spiritual outlook of life, to creation, to Atmic and

Maya reality, to wisdom of Vedas and Swami's Teaching. Reading His

explanations, is easy appreciate the greatness of inner meaning His modest and

clear to all human beings words what serve as headlines for modern natural

sciences. "There is no basic conflict between Man and Nature. The creation

is greater than mankind. Scientists today are exploring the powers

of nature with a view to enjoying them without limit.They want to bring all

those powers under human control for their unrestricted enjoyment. Thisis

responsible for so many of the natural disasters that we witness today. What is

the cause of droughts and floods which occur in the world? Man seeks to enjoy

the benefits of Nature which has grave consequences. Here you have a globe. If

you hit it one way, its balance is disturbed. We should always see to it that

in the utilisation of natural resources a proper balance is kept. Excessive use

in any one direction will result in harm in another direction. In the

exploitation of natural resources, people are observing no limits in the name

of their hakku (right) to act as they please. In reality, there is no such

thing as a "right." In fact, what they have is responsibility. If

responsibilities are ignored, what can be the outcome? Only disorder and lack

of peace. " (Extracts from: Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 30, Chapter 29). "Many

natural calamities are entirely due to man's behaviour. Earthquakes, volcanic

eruptions, wars, floods and famines and other calamities are the result of

grave disorders in Nature. These disorders are traceable to man's conduct."

Creation proclaims the Will of the Divine. It is known as Prakruthi (Nature).

Man is a part of Creation. He is bound by all the material objects in the

world. His awareness is based on his perception of the world. Man has to order

his life for the purpose of furthering the creative process. Unfortunately

today, as a consequence of scientific and technological progress, humanness has

declined and man considers the world as only intended for his enjoyment. As a

result, the powers of Nature are being used in a manner which poses a great

threat to the world. Abusing the resources of Nature and forgetting his own

basic human nature, man is going against the purpose of Creation. Many natural

catastrophes are entirely due to man's behaviour. Earthquake, volcanic

eruptions, wars, floods and famines and other calamities are the result of

grave disorders in Nature. These disorders are traceable to man's conduct. Man

has not recognised the integral relationship between humanity and the world of

Nature. Mankind is a part of nature. The Cosmos is an integral organism of

interrelated parts. Morality and integrity are based upon spiritual

consciousness. Spirituality alone will take man to the sacred path leading to

his destiny. Spirituality alone can elevate man and raise him to higher levels.

World peace can be secured only through spirituality. Mere knowledge by

itself is of no avail. Ravana had studied as many branches of knowledge as

Rama. Educationally both were equals. But Valmiki described Ravana as muurkha,

a self-willed fool. Rama was hailed as a perfect man. Wherein lies the

difference between the two? Rama utilised all the knowledge he had gained for

noble purposes and the welfare of all. Ravana utilised all his knowledge for

enjoying sensuous pleasures. He became a slave of his senses and brought rain

upon himself and his country.(Exctracts from: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 25.

Chapter 37). Swami indicates, "The creation is greater than mankind." It

means that humanity cannot manage in full the Natural forces and the processes

are sometimes beyond of human abilities. He also notes, "Many natural

calamities are entirely due to man's behaviour." Here has underlined 'many'

natural calamities, not all calamities, as several processes of creation maybe

beyond of humans' actions caused directly or indirectly by cosmic powers.

What can a human being do when he/she stands before such disaster? To escape as

animals and birds do before earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters?

Animals know how to escape, human beings as crowns of creation, as gods (by the

scale of Atmic reality) do not know. What is the reason? It seems that the

reason is hidden in Swami's quotations above. The principle significance of

Swami's words is to act according to them. Even Swami's words do not help to

obtain the spiritual wisdom when they have not experienced by everyone's own

way.

The spiritual awareness, an inner unity with Cosmic consciousness (God) is

what helps (as a rule) to a human being to escape the disasters in time.

Animals have an instinct what helps them to survive. The code of life is the

same for all living beings. However, a human beings have a higher consciousness

what Swami calls to evolve and use in purpose. What it means 'in purpose'?

By my insight, there are several angles to this expression, but the main for

human beings is to be aware, acknowledge the humanity as one organism, entity,

expression of Atma through dual world of Maya. Such awareness probably

causes revolution (evolution) in brains of human beings. However, without this

acknowledgement there is no path towards higher knowledge, survival of humanity

and spiritual development. When humanity ignores this, there are no paths

to avoid global destruction by Gaia and several other theories of today's

natural sciences. Earlier than Gaia and other theories, the same has explained

by Swami in his Discourses many, many times. The latest severe tsunami

as remembers to them who are alive to turn their views towards spiritual values

and the inner meaning of Swami's Teaching. I noticed that often He speaks very

simply but it is so for the first sight only. He likes to speak through

parables what waited for inner significance and solution from the reader or

listener His discourses. His parables are the pinpointers for inner

contemplation and experiences.

A human being likes to believe he is the master of his destiny and power,

possible to move mountains. In reality, he/she is helplessness before the face

of nature. The powers of nature have superiority before humanity. When human

society has damaged the balance of natural forces, Nature has an undecipherable

way of maintaining a balance. Such is the conclusion known to billions human

beings, however, why it is so hard to get rid from delusive mind and senses who

are the cause of many disasters? It is widely known the Earth's environment

has troubled during the last and this century more difficultly than a hundreds

years ago. "A human being is a part of the whole that we call the universe,

a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and

feelings, as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical illusion of

his consciousness. This illusion is a prison for us, restricting us to our

personal desires and to affection for only the few people nearest us. Our task

must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion

to embrace all living beings and all of nature" (Albert Einstein).

Additional sites about Gaia http://magna.com.au/~prfbrown/gaia.html

http://www.slip.net/~farb/gaia_page.htm References: James E. Lovelock,

Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth, Oxford University Press, 1979. James E.

Lovelock, The Ages of Gaia. W.W. Norton and Company 1988. James E.

Lovelock, Healing Gaia. Harmony Books, 1991.

 

Namaste - Reet