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THE FAMILY AND THE NATION
water bodies are polluted. The excessive particulate matter of automobile and industrial exhaust in the air is giving rise to respiratory disorders and cancer of the lungs. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers is making soils infertile and polluting ground water. Climates are changing, leading not only to unpredictable weather but also to newer varieties of microbes that cause unheard of diseases.
SPIRITUAL TRAINING A person is propelled to act on account of two sources of inspiration-individual and social. The individual source of inspiration stems from man's innate primal drives or propensities. The social source of inspiration owes its origin to social doctrines. After studying several political systems, it is not difficult to conclude that the individual source of inspiration is stronger than the social one. In order to bring about the desired attitudinal change, spiritual training becomes inevitable.
The cornerstones of such training could be: (1) I am a sentient being and material objects are non-sentient; (2) Material objects are only for my use, they don't belong to me; (3) Wealth may be essential and useful for the sustenance of my life. However, if I amass more than I need, it will spoil my health, create a cycle of social problems and give rise to violence by creating disparity among people; and (4) I will give up self-indulgence and practise non possessiveness and self-discipline.
An important principle of the social and economic system is found in the aphorism'parasparopagraho jivanam'mutual assistance for all beings. It is a principle of social ethic. If this ethic is developed in the socio-economic system, there cannot be such a big gap between the rich and the poor. The problem of poverty can be solved only through moral development of the society.
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