When one is attracted by an object one runs after it, that becomes one extreme; and when one feels hatred towards a thing, one runs away from it, that turns out to be the other excessive. Any extreme causes stress. A person cannot bear stress more than his capacity; he can work but not over-work to breaking point. Doctors say that stress is never still. It travels to every nook and corner of our body and disturbs the normal functioning of the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs. Mental equilibrium cannot be attained unless one makes constant effort to adjust between attraction and repulsion.
Man causes stress on the natural world by changing the water table, dam construction; by destroying forests the wild animal habitat; cutting hundreds of trees damaging the flora and fauna; human activities causing pollution, causing damage to human health and natural ecosystems. The effect of stress on nature causes less rain, food crisis and difficulties for people to live on this earth. Nature solves its man-made stress by balancing itself; the balance of nature also known as ecological balance, which is corrected by its own ways.
Man also faces stress, which raises his blood pressure and causes heart disease. His constant worrying strain is often, due to recalling past lies or worrying about future impressions. But wise minds, live a well balanced life, by taking the middle course of Time, between the extreme past and the furthest future, that is, by choosing the present; they forget the past, as past failures are irreversible; and also pay no attention to future as no one has seen it; and which often, what is thought, does not happen at all.
Everyone, of us, have our battles to fight and hurdles to cross in life. Many people in Goa are opposing the three linear projects because it causes destruction of hundreds of houses, religious structures and trees; coal transportation causing pollution and cutting of trees causing environmental ruin. Those who oppose these projects are at one extreme; they want it to be scrapped in the interest of the public. The supporters of these schemes, at the other extreme want it to be implemented as it is necessary for the future. Any opposition to what we wish creates anger. Then, even the weakest find means to avenge a wrong. Therefore, it is always better to avoid a conflict between two extremes; as clashes may turn out to be worse than the projects. But in order to accept the middle ground, one requires a democratic attitude where anger disappears and layers of ego dissolve. However, it is a common experience that these two groups at the extremes cannot be trusted; because those who support suddenly oppose; and those who oppose, unexpectedly, support; as both the extreme groups change places when purchased by money.
Therefore, the wise choose the ‘golden mean’ which is the middle ground between two extremes, which exhibits a better sense of understanding. Since humans are mere trustees of all material and non-material assets that belong to God, we need to use them for the common good; and therefore, people’s power should prevail. These choosers of the ‘golden mean’ believe that voice of the people is the voice of God. They also believe that what cannot be changed has to be tolerated.
