The other day I was witness to a turf war between two people — over who had usurped whose territory. And I thought this fight was getting no where. After all, shouldn’t the real battles be within us to be the best we can be and fulfill our purpose in life and not with each other over turf and territory?
We come into the world with nothing and we go out ditto and coming to think of it, it really belongs to everybody. As an old Native American proverb says ‘We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors but only borrow it from our children.’ That said it is certainly against dharma to lust for another’s land. For some land and fiefdom equals power. Clouded by greed, people (why even nations) go to extreme lengths (murder on occasions) in the hope that the territory can be appropriated and annexed but little do they realise that practically speaking acts like that only put paid to all such hopes.
Speaking of “notional” territories, when first movers create a market it is only natural that there will be others jumping on to the bandwagon. You can either welcome this in a “more the merrier” spirit or be warned that there will soon be a new dynamic depending on how you look at it. In any case having prepared the ground one should be ready for the influx, the division of the spoils, etc. If that is too difficult to handle one has to get creative and come up with the next big idea. The point is nothing is permanent. Even a monopoly. The status quo will be challenged. Change will happen, the place will get crowded, territories will be drawn and redrawn and turf wars may begin. The “this is mine “argument may not always work for the counter will be “where is it written?”. So while fighting for one’s fair share, it also helps to remain unattached so as to retain perspective and if the time comes to leave when one is ready, failing which you opt for Plan B and go all out and re- establish supremacy.
If the going gets too difficult as it will eventually, one is shaken out of one’s comfort zone and in one moment of epiphany the ground is pulled out from under one’s feet. This is definitely a good thing, every now and then, because it will force you to look beyond and explore newer pastures. If you are resourceful you could even take the most barren piece of land and turn it into fertile ground. So it is not about what you are handed but what you do with it.
Remember Jadhav Payeng, a visionary environmental activist, in your thoughts while battling out this issue. He had single-handedly created a forest in the sandbar of the Brahmaputra and so can you, if you share his drive, determination and vision. The going may not always be easy but as John Bytheway says, “Sometimes you have to go through the wilderness to reach the Promised Land.” Believe me the journey will be well-worth all the lessons en route.
The writer is a Reiki channel, yoga practitioner and a spiritual seeker
