Satish Kumar, Editor-in-chief of Resurgence magazine and teacher, lecturer and international thought leader on reverential ecology, holistic education and voluntary simplicity, shares his reflections on ‘wellbeing’.

“A new vision of wellbeing is on the horizon. Together with sustainability, resilience and deep ecology we need to embrace an inclusive and holistic concept of wellbeing.

The commitment of governments around the world to the goal of growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is being questioned and a new understanding is emerging. Economists, industrialists and policymakers are realising that GDP is not a guarantee of a good society. For many seemingly wealthier countries, GDP has moved exponentially upwards but the health and happiness of the population has fallen. At the same time the stress on our natural resources has increased.

Radical ecologists are proposing a decrease in economic output, a reduction in material consumption, the setting of limits to our use of non-renewable resources and an increase in the growth of human wellbeing and the wellbeing of planet Earth.

The establishment is very good at hijacking the words of the green movement. The word ‘sustainability’ is often used both by politicians and by business leaders, but when we then examine their actions and practices it is difficult to believe that they have understood the word’s meaning. They wish to achieve sustainability without disengaging themselves from the causes of ‘unsustainability’ including globalisation, the free market, mass transportation and deep-sea oil exploration.

It is impossible for an individual to be happy when others are suffering from starvation, social injustice and wars. How can an individual be healthy on an unhealthy planet? Health of the person and health of the planet are two sides of the same coin.

Individuals and communities live in a seamless web of relationships. If those relationships are flourishing, individuals and communities will flourish. If the web of relationships is in turmoil, there cannot be tranquillity in the lives of individuals, their families and communities. Wellbeing is as much a spiritual value as it is an economic necessity.

If we suffer from fear, anxiety, greed, anger, craving and selfishness, wellbeing will remain a distant goal. If we cultivate compassion, courage, caring, gratitude and humility, wellbeing will be achievable. Psychological wellbeing is a first step to social and environmental wellbeing, but without social and environmental wellbeing, psychological wellbeing will remain a distant dream.

If the forests are gone, if biodiversity is diminished, if water is polluted, if cruelty is inflicted on animals, then there can be no personal peace or social coherence. If human communities are damaged because of poverty and deprivation, then they will be forced to encroach more upon natural resources.

Wellbeing must be a personal, social and ecological whole. Indeed, Resurgence’s November/December issue – Wellbeing: Happy People, Happy Planet – is devoted to this theme. It has articles by commentators including Robert Holden, Richard Layard, Richard Ryder, Anthony Seldon and Peter Owen Jones. If you would like a complimentary copy of the magazine or to give a Christmas gift subscription, please visit www.resurgence.org.