Daily Meditation: Saturday, December 30, 2006

Money, power, glory – in other words a rise in social …

12/30/2006

Money, power, glory – in other words a rise in social status – or pleasure: these are most often the objectives of human activity. So who will listen to me when I say that an activity is meaningful only when it contributes to our moral and spiritual elevation? This New Year’s Eve was the occasion for a television programme on the subject of ‘celebration’. The writers, film-makers, sociologists and journalists who were present all agreed that a celebration does us good because it brings people together, allows them to relax, entertains them and makes for a change in their daily work routine… They spoke only of pleasure, distraction, pastime. Not once was it mentioned that a celebration can also be an opportunity to progress inwardly, to take the reins of our destiny in hand, to be assuaged, strengthened and enlightened. It is only a matter of ‘having a good time’, of ‘unwinding’… When will we hear people say that celebrations can also serve to elevate and ennoble human beings?