Languishing in the Dark Age?

- by Harbans Singh

There are people who believe – despite breathtaking scientific feats and advances in knowledge, medicine, arts or technology – that our modern society is still languishing in the Dark Age.  That inspite of international charters on human rights and a plethora of conventions on the protection of fundamental freedoms, mankind has not yet emerged from darkness.  Most of us may too readily dismiss these beliefs as being borne out of superstition or some warped thinking, but in all fairness they deserve closer scrutiny.

When we look around our world, everywhere we see the forces of darkness prevailing.  Nations, societies and even communities are riddled with conflicts, civil unrest, wars, terrorism and gruesomely inhuman acts.  There is so much cruelty and merciless bloodshed, one shudders to think or question or material progress and ask, “are we really living in an enlightened century?”

As individuals we tend to be self-centred beings, having little or no time for love or consideration of other human-beings.  Whatever time we do devote is often motivated by self-interest or selfishness.  In our daily social interactions we tend to derive sadistic pleasure our of ridiculing or belittling others, laughing at their misfortunes, backbiting, indulging in rumor-mongering and hurting our fellow-beings.  We give little consideration to their vulnerability or helplessness. 

Blinded by the powerful glitter of materialism, we feel little use for the wisdom of our spiritual mentors and guides of the past.  The lessons they taught have been generally forgotten, and the message of His Scriptures and benign beings is continually being ignored.  Hence, without a Guiding Light, today’s man finds himself groping in darkness: materially enriched, spiritually famined.

Whilst it is good to see growth in material wealth and fantastically huge advances in knowledge and science, the expansion in spiritual famine is a bad omen for mankind as a whole.  Our society’s spiritual well-being is extremely important to enjoy the fruits of our material progress.  If are not going to be able to enjoy the fruits of progress as a human race, what is the point of having all this wealth and advancement?

Moreover, without spiritual strength we cannot counter the forces of darkness: we cannot dispel darkness itself.  It is with the aid of spiritual light, we can discern the right path that will lead us out of dark.  That is the path of humanity.  It is imperative to fight the spiritual famine and to make our society, equally, spiritually wealthy and exuberant.  We have to create a balance of material and spiritual wealth if we truly want to make this world a better place to live.

To achieve this end, we have to search for a Guiding Light in the form of an accomplished Spiritual Being, who can lead and show the way out; who can harmonise mankind into one considerate, caring, loving human race; unite one world and one society made up of a mosaic of cultures, customs, colours and nations.  We will then have real unity in diversity.

As our spiritual past bears testimony, such Guiding Light has endeavoured to transform individual person (because it is individuals that make up society) by ‘lighting up’ their souls with spiritual wisdom, on a one to one basis.  These enlightened souls, armed with love for the creator and for their fellow beings, then contribute to filling the minds and hearts of others with ‘light’ – thereby dispelling darkness and producing an abundance of spiritual wealth for all to share and enjoy.

Hence, each of us has to seek the Guiding Light, a few glimmers of which you may be able to find in this humble publication, and first fulfill your individual your individual destiny, and then help to fulfill the destiny of all mankind.