Man is the supreme creation on planet Earth. He rules over all he surveys, defies gravity, and pushes against the limits nature imposes on other beings. In his higher nature, he can acquire angelic qualities that would fulfil the injunction that man is created in the image of God. His kindness might be unparalleled, his mercy unprecedented, his sacrifice unequalled. Even his ventures on land, sea and sky would amaze all. Yet if his lower nature were to dominate, he would commit the most heinous crimes, worse than the beasts. As humanity’s past has been glorious, so too is it stained with blood and gore, and we seem scarcely to learn from our past mistakes and misadventures.
Humans experience a constant internal struggle between these two impulses. The human will acts as a filter, selecting which impulses to act upon. The key is to aim for transformation rather than merely suppressing the lower nature. Spiritual traditions often seek to elevate or transform the lower instincts into higher expressions. Ultimately, the goal is to overcome the lower nature and live in alignment with the higher, more noble self.
This contrast in human nature is more evident now than ever before. On the one hand, we have travelled to the farthest destination on Earth, encircling the Moon and returning safely. On the other hand, we are on the verge of the gravest disaster humanity has ever faced, variously described as World War III or the annihilation of all life on Earth. While the total budget for space missions is estimated at around 90 billion dollars per year, and 4 billion for a single round trip recently undertaken by Artemis 2, the per-day expenditure on wars worldwide at present could be much higher. The total global defence spending is estimated at $ 2.63 trillion.
According to estimates, redirecting this year’s global defence spending could fund transformative achievements in health, education, housing, and the environment. Here is a breakdown of what $2.63 trillion could achieve:
- End Global Hunger: ~$265 billion/year
- Universal Safe Drinking Water & Sanitation: ~$114 billion/year
- Universal Basic Education (Pre-primary to Secondary): ~$40–75 billion/year gap
- Achieve Global Health Targets (SDGs): ~$371 billion/year
- Total Cost: ~$825 billion
- Remaining Budget: ~$1.8 trillion (still available for housing and climate.
Let’s act before it is too late. What is required is a fundamental shift in how we view our planet and all it contains. Our mistrust of one another has to give way to a consciousness of humanity’s organic oneness. After the lunar flyback, Christina Koch said she learned one new thing: we are a crew on planet Earth. She described the crew as “a group…no matter what, that is striving together every minute with the same purpose, that is willing to sacrifice silently for each other, that gives grace, that holds accountable. A crew has the same cares and the same needs, and a crew is inescapably beautifully, dutifully linked.” Reid Wiseman acknowledged that it was not easy being 200,000-plus miles away from home. “It’s a special thing to be a human, and it’s a special thing to be on planet Earth.” He was visibly choked up, and the four crewmembers stood to hug on stage.
There is no other way to peace than to believe that the whole earth is but one country and humankind its citizens. We need to create peace within ourselves, our families, our countries, and the whole world. We have fought enough; let’s finally choose peace.
-Prof Anil Sarwal is a researcher and author of books on comparative religion and philosophy.