On Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 4:07 AM, ss<[email protected]> wrote: > But, whether you like it or not, the Indian (Hindu?) thrust has always been > towards emancipation and release of the individual. It is always about > keeping oneself pure, keeping oneself safe, keeping oneself above all bad > things. It is very much a set of guidelines to look after yourself in person, > with very little to tell you what to do about your neighbor other than shun > him if he does things that may sully your personal purity.
Lack of a civic sense and not caring for public spaces is hardly unique to India/Hindus. Unless one believes in the Hinduness of the Tai, Zulu, Yoruba, Samburu, Yanomani, etc.. I propose that this lack of concern for the cleanliness of public space is a coping mechanism. Constant indignation and telling off people who are defecating, urinating, littering in public spaces is, IMO, a sure way of ending up with a nervous breakdown (or dead). Mental health professionals (and meditation teachers) advise recognizing things that annoy us, evaluating whether we can (really) do anything to change things and accepting (and letting go) things that are beyond our control as a way of keeping our sanity. Perhaps a large percentage of the world's population has figured this out. Thaths -- "You'll have to speak up, I'm wearing a towel." -- Homer J. Simpson
