Part I

FW 314-326. On 20 May 1977 Sri Chinmoy answered these questions, which had previously been submitted to him by one of the delegates to the United Nations.

Question: In general what is the order of importance, urgency or priority today of the following problems of mankind: economic, social, political, religious? Why?

Sri Chinmoy: According to me, this will be the order: religious, political, social and economic. Why? If people are religious, they will try to lead a better life, a purer life. What the world needs most is a better life and a purer life. Next is political. Politics governs the mind, the vital and the body of mankind. As religion mainly deals with the heart and inner feelings, even so, politics deals mostly with the mind — the organising mind, the energising vital and the alert body. Then comes the social. After religion has touched the heart and politics has touched the mind, the vital and the body, then there should be amity and friendship in the society. At this time the individual is becoming collective. After an individual becomes religious and offers light to mankind, then he has to establish his friendship, his social qualities. At that time economic problems will be solved easily. So first we think of God and offer light to our nation, our country. Then we want to become closely connected with others. When we want to become closely connected with others, then economic problems will be solved considerably. For then my need you will feel as your need and your need I will feel as my need. At that time I shall be more than ready to help you and you will be more than happy to help me. But if we don’t feel our oneness, then we shall not feel each other’s needs. So first religion, then politics, then social problems and then economics.

From:Sri Chinmoy,Flame-Waves, part 11, Agni Press, 1978
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