Two Sides of Human Nature
CHENNAI: Life contains heaven as well as
hell. It is for us to choose. Individuality that is a high endowment can also be
used to create opposite results. In the best sense, the concept of Individuality
means exclusive concentration of a person on himself so that his endowments will
reach an acme.
The idea is that this Individual will serve the community
at his best. Formed individuals do not share their personal problems with
others. It is considered personal. The community too considers knowing the
personal problems of another inappropriate. The concept of privacy is thus taken
to ridiculous limits, which leads to unwanted problems. The individual who thus
shuns others finally comes to shun all. He is shut up in his own life which
creates stress, dryness and a sense of loneliness.
Very quickly, people
make an ideal into a fad. Healthy sharing of experiences is termed as imposing
on others or interference. The result is unbearable stress, physical as well as
psychological. One person at the age of 83 had pains in the neck and back that
travelled all over his body and caused an agony. The doctors said the only cure
was pain-killing tablets. It was not in him to speak of his pain to his own
family members, as he says, “I was brought up that way. To speak out my ailments
to another is improper.”
Whatever this is, it has nothing to do with
privacy or individuality. One makes a prison for himself and shuts himself in
it. When he spoke of his pain to another member of his family, transgressing his
holy rule, this phenomenon was explained to him. It made sense to him. He could
see it was an absurdity. He came out of the shell of his privacy and most of the
pain he suffered for years began to leave him in a matter of days. Great
thinkers say that not much thought has gone into what is known as Human
Choice.
Life is in one sense simple, rich, abundant, full of delight. Man
has the choice to enjoy it as it is or to convert it into its
opposite.