Man is a Social Animal
Back in the cave age, it was seemingly much easier for men and women as compared to today’s day and age. Why is that? Because the enemy was visible! Simple! Darkness, a carnivore, a giant animal, a poisonous being, pirates etc. were the set of venoms that the cave people had to save themselves from. Therefore, the body’s mechanism for fight-flight (there was no time for freeze as it was counter-productive to survival; at most, one could “act dead”) was a mechanism for action and also an integral warning system. Today’s overwhelm was non-existent back then. Imagine, being in the face of a tiger, believe you me, you will neither freeze nor fight (most likely!), you will RUNNNNNN… Therefore, action was integral even in the sympathetic leg of the nervous system.
Also, the discharge of the nervous system was regular because a good kill would give the required release of chemicals primarily by two means, the art of conquering (remember, it was the man’s territory, originally!) and the eating & digesting of the food “procured”. And this activity in itself would bring the body back to the parasympathetic and the next day would be a new day. Additionally, because of no privileges of electricity, the work needed to start with the rising of the sun and complete with the setting of the sun, letting body’s natural rhythm take over, repairing and maintaining all that was required.
Because the solitary way was not conducive to survival, the man always hunted in a group, rarely alone and shared their kill. The women looked after “home” and bringing up children. All of this meant never a time for self and in solitude. The concept of “space” did not exist then and actually, not even till about 20 years ago, especially in warm-cultured territories like India. It also meant that back in that era, we were always surrounded by fellow sapiens and that kept us warm and safe. People were real strength!
With technology and western influence, we are or may I say, have moved, towards am individualistic world which is more like the last song of The Beatles, “I Me Mine…”! The experiences of our past, the disappointment of love, the failure of relatives to stand by our family, our own unsuccessful communications with fellows and incessant miscommunication, blaming, bitching, gossiping and judging! Boy! Don’t we have a reason for alienating ourselves??? Let’s save the tiger! Let’s save the soil! Let’s save the planet! Let’s save the trees! Humans… naaaahhhh… Not worth it!
In my personal life, I know of many people who have taken on the “service” of a social or a global cause. And they are excelling in it. Mind you, I am not against that; I am against sidelining human beings and focusing all attention, love and compassion on the tiger… soil… planet… trees… These people either rarely get along with their family members or got no real friends… The challenge is to stay with a human and work out things when they carry the potential to trigger us and press our red buttons. Staying with a dog is easier and so is participating in a rally, feeding thousands and getting tired, all in the name of “sewa”. And what is our reaction when an ailing relative asks for medicine and water? What emotions do we serve them with?
Alas! Hope the answer was that simple! “I cater to my needs and work for a global cause and MY life is sorted.” It isn’t that easy! Rather, it is not defined that ways.
Being a social animal, man requires another human- the touch, the laughter, the bonding, the play, the pray together-eat together maxim- they all exist for a reason. The side of the brain that understands only connection is starving. It needs human. Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, overwhelm, underlying sadness would reduce drastically if we give our human family another chance… They deserve it !
Connect with an old friend… Call that guy with whom you don’t even know what happened and you stopped talking… Give your school bud a call… Catch up with your partner and ask how has life been all these years… Chat up with your kid as a fellow human… See the beauty of ailing, ageing parents… Give Humans A Chance!