Who's really poor?

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Sai Ram dear Sai brothers and SistersPlease read the following article as it has very simple but very important massage that we can all learn from our children...... Who really is poor? A child's perception.... Throughout the world there is production of large-scale industrial and agricultural products. However despite such productive capacities there is scarcity because the world population is full of thieves. The Vedas explain- men are transformed into thieves when they plan economic development for sense gratification. At the root of so-called scarcity and need is exploitation of one nation by another, driven by rampant consumerism. It seems we are insatiable for more and more technological marvels, for gas-guzzling cars, exotic

foods, the latest in fashion, and yet another pair of shoes. Most collect all the wealth for their children and grand children. But do we really need all this? Can it ever make us truly happy? One-day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country side farm with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live and also to teach him to appreciate what he is proving him and how hard he is working to provide his son with all the luxury of the world. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?It was great, Dad.Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.”Oh yeah," said the son. "So, tell me, what you learned from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that

we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them." The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are." So it is the endless stream of material desires and our vain attempts to satisfy them that destroy our peace of mind, impelling us to excessively exploit the earth for her precious resources. Thus we create an imbalance which in turn creates poverty for so many. The fact is that human life has a

higher purpose and by minimizing our material needs we simplify life and free time for spiritual practice. By such practice we reduce our desires and become peaceful. Sai Ram Shakuntla Vishani Shakuntla Vishani B.A. (Hons), PGCE Sai Baba Community Service Project Mobile: +255 784 230 057 Email: shakuntlavishani