From Reckless Consumption to Conscious Living

Green Living

By Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj

A few centuries ago, no one worried about climate change because there was no reason to do so. But as humans extracted more from nature and dumped an increasing amount of waste — including highly toxic substances — the ecological balance began to be disrupted. This process has accelerated over the centuries, bringing us to a point where, according to some experts, the entire human race faces extinction in the near future. Climate change and global warming are sometimes perceived as future threats, but scientists are finding increasing evidence that the planet is changing now, and that humans must take a large share of the blame.

Conscious Living. Pic – Vocal Media

Experts explain that excessive carbon emissions from industrial and vehicular pollution, the use of CFCs, and the plundering of forests have depleted the ozone layer. This has trapped solar radiation inside the Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, the planet is heating up, triggering natural upheavals like floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides. Extreme weather, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and disappearing habitats are no longer rare; they are our lived reality. From droughts impacting farmers to erratic seasons affecting global food supplies, environmental neglect is knocking loudly at our doors.

To prevent such an eventuality, humans must work on themselves. We do not need to “master” nature; the human soul is already the master of all that is material. It is only when the soul identifies with the body that it falls under the influence of matter and vices. In the Golden and Silver Ages, when souls possessed self-awareness and divine qualities, nature was an obedient servant. The elements made life pleasant in that era, remembered in texts as Paradise. No natural calamities occurred because humans and nature existed in complete harmony. Because those divine beings were free of vices, they never exploited nature. Instead of having to be “environmentally friendly,” they had a truly friendly environment.

Trees, rivers, and animals were regarded as sacred companions rather than resources to be discarded. There was an intuitive understanding that to care for nature was to care for one’s own soul. This mutual respect created a vibrant ecosystem where abundance flourished without greed. This continued until the Copper Age, when souls forgot their identity and fell under the influence of the body and vices. They began to exploit resources, harming the environment. In return, nature ceased to obey souls who had lost mastery over themselves. What was once a harmonious relationship turned into one between an exploiter and the exploited.

The Prime Minister of India, in a UN speech, stated: “We can achieve prosperity without reckless consumption. It doesn’t mean economies will suffer; it means they will take on a different character. For us, respect for nature is integral to spirituality. Yoga is an invaluable gift embodying unity of mind and body, thought and action, and harmony between man and nature. It is not just exercise, but a way to discover oneness with the world. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, we can deal with climate change.”

To return to harmony, we must realize our spiritual identity. Such awareness makes us naturally eco-friendly, sending out positive energy that brings nature back into balance. Each small action — planting a tree, reducing plastic, or mindful consumption — creates a ripple effect. If a critical mass of humanity lives with this spiritual awareness, nature will again become our friend, and we will look toward a golden rather than a doubtful future.

Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj is a spiritual educator and popular columnist for publications across India, Nepal, and the UK.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 17 April 2026