Message #30285

[Jitendra Hydonus]

What I have found is a reoccurring theme from many people in our culture that I have met and I think it is a phenomenon of our cultures behavioral patterns and conditioning. I think what we all have experienced here is what I was referring to in the last entry and will reiterate here from Paramahansa Yogananda;

All the various relationships of family, society and nationality among living creatures (even among animals birds and flowers) are but catalysts of life intended to purify and convert earthly love into divine love. When friendship and love between souls becomes corroded with poisonous chemicals of possessiveness, selfishness, mechanical family relationships, sex obsessions, physical attachment, emotional excitement, utilitarian barterings, sudden attachments followed by sudden hates—then human love dies.

I am specifically referring to utilitarian bartering although many of the other characteristics are applicable. Who we have become a culture of utilitarianism with little regard for spiritual affinities or enduring relationships. Recognizing what is happening in relationships is a major step in finding alternate views and approaches. Our culture is a culture of things rather than human integrity and spiritual affinities and growth. When this recognition dawns on us we can take a more conscious look at our own compulsions and obsessions; realizing that other people we meet may play to those weaknesses we carry to satisfy their own utilitarian desires.