Nothing in Nature Lives for Itself

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There are several popular memes in the social media attributing to Pope Francis a beautiful poem about the sharing character of nature. Fact checking has verified that those attributions are false. There are suggestions that the words were first uttered by Chanakya (also known as Kautilya), an ancient Indian philosopher and strategist from the 4th century BCE. However, there is no definitive source in his known writings that matches this poem word-for-word.

This is very likely a modern poetic rendering of traditional Indian wisdom, possibly inspired by verses from Sanskrit or Pali scriptures. There has also been a suggestion that it may be from African native wisdom. Whatever the case, it is an important learning for us.

Gratitude is a natural state

Our interaction with the world around us is a dynamic one. All forms within this physical realm interact naturally in harmony, guided by the embedded script. This ranges from the minutest of subatomic particles to the most enormous astronomical bodies. The universe is able to operate smoothly and harmoniously in natural give and take relationships.
Humans, distracted by intellect, have lost touch with the embedded guidance and end up developing artificial interactions. When we allow ourselves to feel the guidance, our interactions become more harmonious.

Much of the gratitude we see around us is cultivated from childhood, when children are taught to show gratitude. They are constantly reminded to say thank you when given things. This becomes a cultivated attitude.

It is not wrong but, for our humanity to flower fully, it is not enough. We need to open ourselves to the world and realise the reality of our interdependence with everything around us. We need to recognise how our life is supported by so many processes. We need to learn how to appreciate all that is being done for us and not just take it for granted.

When someone does something for us, the feeling of gratitude needs to flow from within. It cannot be just a layer pasted on the face and uttered in words.

Sadhguru Says