The well-known scientist, Albert Einstein, said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Nature has many lessons to offer, if we observe carefully and are willing to learn.
One of those lessons is generosity. Nature gives and sustains, without seeking anything in return. The earth provides us solid ground to live on, rich soil to grow food, and minerals to make myriad products; plants and trees do not consume their fruit – it is for others; rivers and lakes do not drink their own water – they quench the thirst of all flora and fauna. Besides, along with the oceans, they host and support an incredible variety of aquatic life. The sun supplies light, heat, and electricity free of charge, and the air gives us oxygen, cooling, ventilation, and power – all gratis.
In addition, nature provides other essential services like water filtration, pollination, and climate regulation, which are crucial for human survival and well-being.
Nature also has immense economic value, as it underpins activities such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism.
Then there are the intangible benefits of nature, which are no less important than the above. We find solace, inspiration, and joy in natural landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Time spent in nature improves mental and physical health, and exposure to green spaces reduces stress, uplifts mood, and promotes our well-being.
It is for all the above reasons that nature has been personified as Mother Nature, a provider and sustainer of life, akin to a nurturing mother caring for her children. Nature is valued because it serves – silently, patiently, selflessly. Only that which is of use to others has value. If I exist for myself, prioritising my ideas, wants, and needs above everything else, some people might indulge and tolerate me for some time, but not forever. The law of karma tells us that every thought, word, and deed has a cause and effect, and the energy we put out into the world ultimately comes back to us. If we are self-centred, we will encounter self-centredness sooner or later. But if we are generous, loving, and cooperative, we will receive love and cooperation.
The key is to give selflessly. Then the act of giving becomes a reward in itself, as it generates positive emotions such as happiness and a sense of fulfilment, which are often accompanied by the release of feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain. This feeling, referred to as a helper’s high, is associated with increased health and longevity, as well as a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life. It is rooted in our natural instinct to help others, which stems from the human soul’s innate quality of being cooperative. The soul is also naturally loving and accommodative. When we recognise ourselves as souls and let our intrinsic goodness be expressed in our words and actions, we contribute not only to our own well-being but also that of society as a whole.
Just as the elements of nature contribute to keeping the planet’s ecosystem stable and resilient, enabling life on earth to continue, we enable goodness to endure when we live selflessly. When nature’s largesse is taken for granted and is abused, the consequences are painful, as we see in the form of extreme weather events and natural disasters resulting from climate change. Something similar happens when the goodness of the human soul is sought to be callously exploited. The collective climate of human minds changes, and instead of love, harmony, and cooperation, there is apathy, mistrust, discord, and conflict.
Our greater understanding and appreciation of what nature does for us has given rise to the green movement for preservation of nature for its own sake and for human survival. There is need for a similar spiritual movement to conserve the goodness of the human soul so that the intricate web of mutual trust, goodwill, and loving relationships can be preserved and we all can live in peace and harmony.
B.K. Geeta is a Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan.