A sense of direction vital

We live in an age of technological innovation. Surrounded by all types of comforts we try to live happily. However, we find that there is something missing in our lives. Despite the existence of great religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam, we are still trying to find a sense of direction that ultimately leads to happiness.

People in the affluent West spend a fair portion of their income to follow various training programs that promise to restore the elusive happiness. The participants feel elated for some time but again they come back to square one. Then they look for a new method or a guru.

Such programs are conducted even in Third World countries by those who profess that they know the psychological secrets of happiness. The popularity of these programs shows how desperate we are.

Apart from orthodox religions, there is a host of quasi-religious groups or cults that have attracted a large number of followers. For instance, those who follow Sai Baba's teachings claim that there are more than 20 million followers. However, Sai Baba, who passed away recently, wanted his followers to stick to their religions. But people seek quick solutions to their pressing problems.

Christian cult

The recent emergence of a Christian cult founded by Bill McCartney is a case in point. McCartney was a Colorado football coach before he founded the Promise Keepers in 1991. He has attracted millions of men and women to take part in massive prayer sessions held in stadiums.

Bill McCartney

Although mainstream religious organisations question the authenticity of such programs, more and more people seek the help of Promise Keepers.

In Sri Lanka, astrologers have entered the fray. Some of them answer even intimate questions over the radio or television much to the embarrassment of listeners. In a less than half-hour program the astrologer quickly doles out his predictions to unknown and unseen clients. All the advice is given free but the publicity he gets cannot be measured in monetary terms.

Most Sunday newspapers published in Sinhala carry a large number of advertisements that promise to cure all ills, physical or mental, by giving spurious drugs. Some of the fake medical practitioners are ready to prescribe drugs even for those living abroad. What they want is a big chunk of the income of their unsuspecting patients. The quacks know that a sucker is born every minute!

Astrologers and quacks

Those who do not believe in cults, astrologers and quacks turn to 'self-help' books that have flooded the market. Some of these books are said to be bestsellers in the United States or the United Kingdom. The authors of these books promise to solve all the problems of their unsuspecting readers quickly and effectively.

There is a big demand for books such as I'm OK - You're OK, Your Erroneous Zones, How to be Awake and Alive and Winning through Intimidation. Anybody who has read these books will realise that they are not written by eminent psychologists or psychotherapists. Most of the authors and publishers are cunning businessmen! The increasing number of self-help books shows the symptoms of our collective distress.

There are, of course, a few self-help books that are worth reading.

Most of them are expensive but they do not contain silly statements such as "It's beautiful if you're unhappy" or "You've got to get in touch with yourself."

Self-help books

No self-help book, even if it is written by an eminent psychologist, can transform anyone's life overnight. If a particular book promises to do so, it is best to leave it in the bookshop without wasting money. Seasoned psychologists know that changing a person's behaviour is fraught with difficulties. Sometimes, it may take a few years of counselling and other therapies to transform a person's behaviour.

If people are overly dependent on cults, astrologers, quacks and self-help books, it shows their moral decadence. When they lose their sense of direction, they can expect more confusion and bitterness in their lives. Therefore, it is time they made a concerted effort to look at life in a rational way and take appropriate measures to find solutions to their problems. Nobody can expect to lead a life without problems. The good news is that every human problem has a solution!