This is an important point of several more that Pope Francis addresses in his encyclical the Laudato Si.
In fact, he does not intend to do it from a Catholic perspective, only, but also by analyzing in depth all aspects, it is a theme that includes all of us, the well-being of our planet, which he rightly describes as The common house.
discard culture and selfishness
When it refers to the culture of discarding, it begins with the basis that is the selfishness that prevails today and which we do not even realize or surprise, it is unfortunate, but it is so.
Two or three decades ago, there were people for whom the phrases “Let them cry in my house to cry in yours… let them cry in yours”, “first me, then me and finally me” or “Navigate with the flag of innocent even if you are not ”… it was something weird and very frowned upon.
At present, if we find people with these inclinations, we are not surprised, to the point that we validate their action especially if we receive something in return such as power, money or any other economic retribution.
It is at this time that the culture of discarding is strengthened, when we stop seeing the damage we do to others by achieving our own goals regardless of anyone else. We see it in the street, when we walk near people in extreme poverty and act as if they do not exist, we think that there is no problem as long as it is not about us or someone close to the one I care for and love.
wrong lifestyles
Dad also refers to the lifestyles created to make us feel more comfortable with our actions, however wrong it may be, for example, if we have a pet and take care of it, somehow we feel that if we take advantage of others it will not happen At least we help an animal. Of course, it is virtuous to help other beings, be they animals, plants or humans, but each action is unique and individual, generates its own moral retribution, so somehow everything counts and if we are not careful, the generation of negative karma becomes exponential., reinforced by our justifications, habits and excuses.
From the point of view that we address it, it is important to understand that a non-constructive action is, regardless of whether mentally and physically we act as if it were not.
It is said that "You can fool yourself but not the universe" ... and they are right, whatever it is or who it is God, Budha, Muhammad, Khrisna, Jesus ... what damages is so, clearly we observe it in the consequences that we suffer as incurable diseases, premature deaths, or recurring gouty and subtle suffering.
be honest with ourselves
The invitation is basically to be honest with ourselves, to stop pretending that others, those who are in conditions of extreme poverty do not exist, stop discarding them and focus on the generosity that as a final goal gives us peace and prosperity in all senses.
It is true that the planet is being affected by our attitudes, the selfishness that with a little common sense and intelligence will sooner or later turn towards us detrimentally, global warming, the extinction of animals that help balance the ecosystem, diseases resulting from pollution, garbage and the migration of people from countries at war to areas where they find at least peace and food, all these are already signs that something we are doing wrong and somehow according to the law of The cause and effect, which should be mentioned is never equivocal, will return to us in the same or greater dimension.
Ultimate Generous Nature
Let us love others and ourselves in the same sense and direction, we have all the potential to do so because our ultimate nature is generous and unconditional, free of restrictions and duality, the important thing is to start ... so gradually be the retribution in peace and tranquility far outweighs the anxiety and discomfort of selfishness. It is only necessary to choose ... choose well.
AUTHOR: Pilar Vázquez, collaborator of the great family of the White Brotherhood