Poverty of the Mind

While social and economic poverty has caused a serious threat to the survival of humankind, poverty of the mind has a demoralizing effect that questions the very existence of human life. When asking what makes life good, some will point towards achieving affluence, for others, it could mean liberty and dignity, while for some others it means buying happiness. The real question is whether happiness can be bought and at what price.

The illusion of wealth and happiness being connected financially is entrapping and seductive as consumerism generated by materialism has become the new religion. Acquiring things, buying more is supposed to guarantee satisfaction, especially if you are able to acquire what everyone else has as dictated by mass marketing and advertising campaigns. In this scenario, it is imperative to recognize that greed, which is the source of the rising materialism, is contributing to the impoverishing the human mind that is demoralizing the human spirit.

Inevitably impoverishing the human mind and reason directly obstruct developing, which may be caused by internal or external factors, prevents a meaningful philosophy of life from unfolding. Thus the stagnation of a society! This impact naturally changes a nation’s ethos and priorities, and provides little or no room to pause, to think and reflect. The poverty mindset causes society to implode, break apart from within. This will continue unless a society is persuaded to rediscover its consciousness and transform through more a discerning and reflective or contemplative process.  

Nagas today are challenged with an impoverished reality of social and economic well being; of political and spiritual life; and of mind and reason. These realities are intertwined with far reaching generational consequences and are undoubtedly interdependent and interconnected to each other. Possibly the most detrimental impact would be the poverty of spirituality and reason because they undermine the human spirit. 

Perhaps political courage is needed that deliberately strives to engage human beings in creatively propelling the imagination needed to explore possibilities. Some people of faith have indicated that courage is not bravado, but in essence the willingness to speak the truth in spite of fearing reprisals. Objectivity antagonizes stakeholders but empowers the people, and, therefore, political courage implies standing on issues without allowing partisan politics to interfere and divert its natural discourse.

Undoubtedly, it is time for ordinary Nagas to participate and take ownership on issues that affect their lives, especially the future. The stench of indifference and complacency is eroding the moral imagination impoverishing the Naga mind to a state of stagnation and indignity. A new generation maturing with increasing concern for the dignified existence of the Nagas is essential with a discerning far-sightedness that focuses on the integrity of nature and new meaning for a positive life. 

In the end, Nagas are challenged to transcend the existing realities which are limited by present conditions of the impoverished mind. The Naga hope lies in discovering the ability to think freely with an open and critical mind.

 



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