By Victor M Fontane
The distinction between sentient beings (sattvas) and insentient objects is a human-constructed illusion (maya). From the perspective of quantum physics, all matter, at its most fundamental level, is interconnected and interdependent. Even a seemingly inanimate tree shares the same universal energy and atoms with us. Mining metals not only damages the natural environment but also disrupts the Earth's subtle energy balance (prana), affecting all life forms.
Human attachment to the three poisons (kleshas), greed (lobha), hatred (dvesha), and delusion (moha) leads us to construct an ego-centric worldview, separating ourselves from other beings. This discriminatory mind (vikalpa) is the root of karmic obscurations (avidya), which blinds us to the interconnectedness of all things and causes us to act in ways that harm ourselves and others.
Cities and technology, while seemingly providing comfort and convenience, exacerbate our separation from nature, reinforcing dualistic thinking (dvaya). We indulge in material pleasures, pursuing endless economic growth, while neglecting the Earth's carrying capacity and the well-being of all sentient beings.
To escape this predicament, we need to cultivate compassion (karuna) and wisdom (prajna). Compassion allows us to transcend the narrow confines of the self and feel the suffering and joy of all beings. Wisdom allows us to see the true nature of reality, recognizing the interconnectedness of all phenomena (dharmas). Only when we relinquish our discriminatory mind and embrace compassion and wisdom can we truly achieve harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, allowing the Earth to return to a state of balance and harmony (shanti).
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