In classifying countries and cultures as 'developed' and 'developing' and 'under developed', the criteria used is often economic. Is development widely misconstrued as 'material' development? After treading the path of 'Industrial revolution' and the path of materialism, societies have realised the hard way that these dont bring happiness as expected. Some have explored the hedonistic path and met with boredom, drugs, unhappiness, disenchantment with life, and suicide. Is material development then the right parameter? Bhutan has the Happiness Index where instead of economic criteria, happiness is used to measure development. Is something similar needed for the so called 'developed' countries?
In pictures of children across the world, 'poor' children from 'developing and under developed ' countries come across as more happy and smile genuinely in spite of the lack of 'material infrastructure and development'.. While 'poor' children from developed economies appear genuinely unhappy. Therefore as adults, is our perception of rich and poor, developed and undeveloped, have and have-nots, totally misplaced? Is our perception of rich and poor and 'material happiness' acquired later on as adults?
Do we need a new paradigm of 'development' and 'happiness' towards which one can genuinely strive and achieve instead of being sold cheap materialistic 'pipe dreams' ?
Raveendra, actually the term development is very holistic and goes beyond material wealth. Unfortunately however, there is always a poor link between researchers and implementers. Implementers are most often interested in the material wealth at the expense of 7 other pillars of development. For me, we had rather bridge this gap and encourage everybody to execute holistic development agenda.
Raveendra, actually the term development is very holistic and goes beyond material wealth. Unfortunately however, there is always a poor link between researchers and implementers. Implementers are most often interested in the material wealth at the expense of 7 other pillars of development. For me, we had rather bridge this gap and encourage everybody to execute holistic development agenda.
Truly healthy development is holistic, involving inner development of greater integral consciousness of the relational reality of life energy as love or holistic integrity, as well as development of corresponding social structures, interpersonal relationships, and technologies that reflect a harmonious and regenerative rather than conflicted and degenerative vibratory energy pulse, corresponding to the energy pulse of the immaterial/experiential heart or feeling center level of our being. Healthy development is like a flower or fruit bearing tree blossoming from its roots (representing our holistic core integrity) and from openness to nourishing sunshine, fresh air, fresh water, and nutrients from the soil, representing the relational context, great web of life, or network of reality in which we are inherently, naturally embedded. In my books and blogs, I discuss the development of psychologically healthy and spiritually awakened conscious insights and ways of functioning, as the basis of compassionately transforming, for the better, individual human beings, personal relationships, and society.
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