Mauritian model of peaceful coexistence could be copied by the peoples

I have always been convinced that this unique Mauritian model of peaceful coexistence could be copied by the peoples and powers that have for longer than necessary been locked in wars of or for civilization(s). What is needed beyond calculated diplomatic efforts – whose prescriptions have only lasted so long as we can all see – is a new understanding of ourselves: that we are not body-mind-senses entities driven like animals only for survival but that, instead, we are human beings endowed with the unique capacity of making rational choices and being able to select the ones that will allow us to live side by side in harmony instead of face to face in perpetual confrontation. And the further acknowledgement that “the earth has enough resources for all our needs but not for our greed.”

In fact, as Arthur Koestler pointed out many years ago, the discoveries of science and the inventions of technology have made available to us means to use our resources to meet the requirements of all of mankind. It is only man-made artifices – attitudes, barriers – that are preventing us from extending the benefits to everyone indiscriminately. Hence, for example, the collapse of the WTO talks, once more, in Geneva.

Many wise men have seen this coming, long ago. And gave guidance about how to direct or lives. But we forget to learn these vital lessons, and hence sink deeper into quagmires of our own making. It has become urgent to listen to what sages had to say. One such was Sri Aurobindo, and below are some extracts that are germane to our present predicament:

* …the individual life is best secured and made efficient by association with others and subjection to a law of communal self-development rather than by aggressive self-affirmation.
* The first danger is a resurgence of the old vital and material primitive barbarian in civilized form… if there is no moral ideal controlling the vital and physical man in us and no spiritual ideal liberating him from himself into his inner being.
* Man has created a system of civilization which has become too big for his limited mental capacity and understanding, and his still more limited spiritual and moral capacity to utilize and manage, a too dangerous servant of his blundering ego and his appetites.
* … a hustling medley of slogans and panaceas for which men are ready to oppress and be oppressed, to kill and be killed, to impose…
* … a humanity mentally and morally unready for the handling of powers so great and perilous.
* … repetition in old or new forms of a past mistake… revival of blind fanatical obscurantist sectarian religionism.
Indeed, egos and appetites, obscurantisms of misguided men with guided missiles…RN Gopee Mauritius Times