It is heartening indeed that there is so much of buzz about Swachh Bharat, a campaign to clean up the country of all dirt and pollution, initiated by the government and enthusiastically supported by the public. However, a note of caution is required here lest the campaign starts losing its steam and fizzles out along the way. The caution suggested is that while we support the campaign with all the resources at our command, we need to be equally serious to look deeper at the mindset that creates the rubbish and allows it to remain that way. This can open up an entirely holistic way of approaching the challenge.
The root cause of environmental pollution is the decline of spiritual values. It is not just a debate of depleting natural resources and non-renewable energy. It stems from the core of human life – the soul – which has been polluted with vices like greed, ego and anger. Governments have been adopting the superficial approach to fix environmental problems. Enforcing laws and integrating technologies that promote a clean environment are good steps to contain dirt and pollution but they appear to be like varnish on cracked surface.
The violation of the innate qualities of human soul such as truth, purity, peace, love and respect has led to the violation of natural law and order. As inner harmony got disrupted, the harmony between nature’s forces also got disturbed. Poisoned feelings in the human heart have also poisoned the air, water and soil on earth. Verily, all uncleanliness outside is the result of a stained human soul.
Cleanliness outside can be achieved, but it may still hide many dirty things. There are countries in the world that are clean but the way they dump toxic waste, the practices they employ to slaughter animals and sell meat products as well as arms that kill, are not supportive of sustaining a clean world. A clean place signifies a kind of order; harmony and sanctity that facilitates healthy, creative and constructive activity. Hence, it is rightly said “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”.
A clean mind is a dwelling place for godliness. Cleanliness is a major part of most religious customs and rituals. For Diwali or Christmas celebrations people clean their entire house and their homes look spanking new with fresh paint in preparation of welcoming and receiving the blessings of God. Bathing and cleaning the physical space and physical body is considered a prerequisite for any kind of worship or prayer at religious places.
Cleanliness is connected to the original pure state of being of all human souls. All ancient societies supported their environment with lifestyles that were based on values like respect for nature, simplicity and harmony. Becoming aware of our innate values and spiritual identity as well as staying connected in pure remembrance of God helps to cleanse our heart and mind of all vices. Hence, only inner cleanliness of the mind can create outer cleanliness.
(The writer is the author of the book ‘Rise And Shine…
The Lotus Way’, and a social activist.)
