Community living is an integral part of human existence. When we study this concept of living in a community or group, it brings out certain interesting phenomena.If we analyse the ideal village depicted in the vedic scriptures or a typical traditional Indian village, we see that it has never been an officially guarded community. Protection was there but it was not formally organized rather it was more driven by trust and relationship building within the community. The community had no borders, boundaries or limitations. The village would slowly thin down in population as one moves to the outskirts of that village and starts approaching the next village.
Modern communities are guarded & synthetically designed. They are infrastructure friendly but the inner communities are largely non-communicative. Families are living for themself and the relationship with neighbours are extremely cautious & reserved. It is a guarded community but it cannot trust or reciprocate with the next-door neighbour. To feel trust and safety, one is forced to appoint security guards and CCTV cameras. On the other hand in village communities, trust and safety comes from protecting and helping each other in a natural way. It is not done for mutual benefit rather it is done as if everyone is an integral part of one’s own family.
Natural villages welcome us without officially having a reception. Synthetic villages have official receptions where people are welcomed if they have an official invitation, else they are put up simply for interrogation. Natural villages are spacious, one can park their bullock cart anywhere, one can drink water or eat food in the village even being uninvited. But in synthetic communities, one needs specific invitations otherwise one can eat at some outside place by paying money.
Synthetic communities will not give us attention, one has to pay for it whereas in natural communities attention is always present in an affectionate way.
The Pandavas were affectionate to each other, which was natural and harmonious. The Kauravas relationship was bargain based. They had purchased everyone by money or power to be connected. The Kauravas were affectionate for the sake of dealing and the Pandavas were affectionate in their dealing.
Unfortunately, our villages are becoming synthetic too and our synthetic communities are getting into an artificial village outlook, both are superficial and unreal. Communities where people are primary and infrastructure is secondary, demonstrate true integrity between ourselves, nature & Divinity keeping God, Godliness & good people in the centre.
The spiritual realm is a natural village that harmonizes sustainability with spirituality. Being there, is the essence of life and learning that essence is the focus of our entire life.
– Govinda Das
