Loyalty Vs Democracy – Fear toll by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

It is natural for human beings to want to overcome fear and insecurity and will do almost anything to feel secure. Consequently there is struggle for the seat of power. However those who hanker after power are really powerless! They can accomplish very little even after coming into office. So don’t blame them!

The irony is that even after assuming the seat of power, the fear doesn’t leave one. In fact it increases manifold. If you are in fear and tension you can’t come up with creative ideas or be able to do much for society or yourself. Often you hear ministers threatening to resign if they don’t get their way and their followers threatening to kill themselves. It is sheer irresponsibility to renounce a sacred duty assigned by the people. If you realise your innate power, you don’t need a seat or position to serve the people. You can do better without a formal post, as did Mahatma Gandhi.

Often a ruler is not a reformer and a reformer doesn’t rule! The main motivating factor for people is their emotions. Especially when illiteracy is high. This is used and misused by political parties and religious leaders for short-term gains. The only way to counter this is broad based education, both scientific and spiritual.

Most political leaders lack education in true service. Few are above the boundaries of race, religion and nationality. Like any other profession we need to have a system for educating politicians. A certain level of social education and maturity is needed to shoulder responsibility. Every minister must be able to ignore the sycophants around him or her and learn to listen to their own inner voice, their own divine guidance, what they innately know to be right and wrong.

We have to get out of the politics of hate and mistrust. True politics is to care for all people. When service for the people is the main aim of politics and not power or pleasure, any country will develop much faster as everyone will be competing to serve better instead of for personal gains.

Unfortunately that has not always been the case. Today when parties come together, they do so because of common enemies rather than common goals. Then the basis is hatred and fear. Isn’t it? My heart aches when I see the disgust and hatred among the people and their leaders. Opposite parties must work together for the progress of the country. The politics of hatred should end.

Politicians today waste much time in mud-slinging and undoing what the other has done. When today’s political parties complement and honour one another, Bharat will really shine. “Satyuga(golden period) will be when opposing parties work towards one goal – making the poor self confident, the rich a generous giver, the educated not crooked, and the innocent not foolish.