The Economy of Permanence: A Quest for a Social Order Based on Non-violence (स्थायी अर्थतन्त्र)

Economy of Permanence
The main trouble with man arises out of the fact that he is endowed with a
'Freewill' and possesses a wide field for its play. By exercising this gift in the
proper way he can consciously bring about a much greater co-operation and co-
ordination of nature's units than any other living being. Conversly, by using it
wrongly he can create quite a disturbance in the economy of nature and in the
end destroy himself.
Instinct was compared to a railroad which unerringly guides the coaches on the
track, and does not allow them to stray from the path or course laid out for
them. On the other hand, the gift of 'Freewill' allows for freedom of movement.
But all movements are not with impunity. It is like being on a bicycle.
Theoretically the rider is free to go where he pleases. The steering gear-the
handle bar-is fully under his control. Nevertheless, his movements are
restricted by the limitations of the machine and the dictates of prudenec. He
cannot fly into the air, nor float over water. Even on land, he cannot go
everywhere. He has to restrict himself to the beaten path or road. If he tries to
go across ploughed fields he may be tossed over the bars by the front wheel
sticking in the rut or mud. If he tries to go over thorny weeds etc, the tyres will
be punctured. Hence, this theoretical freedom has its limitations and a wise
rider will keep within bounds. This conscious control of his movement requires
discipline and knowledge, without which the machine, which was intended to
help him, would be the means of bringing distress. A rider, who uses the known
road and travels by light of day, can attain a speed several times that of which
he is capable on foot.
In the same way, man can accomplish much more than the instinct-driven
animals if he disciplines himself to the use of his 'Freewill' to the proper sphere
and does not let his fancy run away with his desires and senses. He can be a
conscious agent of his own fate, moving either to success or to destruction by
following the light of day within him-his native intelligence combined with the
spark of the divine. If he does not do so, like the rider of the bicycle who
rushes in the dark or ventures over rough country, he will come to grief and will
have to pay the penalty for sinning against his conscience and against nature.
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