Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

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PREAMBLE OF SCHOOL OF APPLIED SPIRITUALITY

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: A Universal and Unifying Principle:

The central principle in the Vedas of India is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – meaning thereby all beings on earth belong to a single family. This principle of the fundamental unity and interconnectedness of all life forms, encoded in Indian scriptures thousands of years ago, resonates with most ancient indigenous spiritual traditions around the globe. The First Nations people of America describe this unity as ‘Mitakuye Onasin’, while Africans called it ‘Ubuntu’ or ‘I exist because you exist’. This principle allowed our earliest ancestors to evolve in harmony with flora, fauna and fellow beings. It was imbibed in different words by all the major world religions that emerged over the past 2000-3000 years. In Christianity, we find the Golden Rule of ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. In Islam we find ‘Tawheed’ or the Unity and Oneness of God, and Mutafikaleen or the interdependence of all beings. Buddhism uses the concept of ‘Indra’s net’ to symbolize the interconnectedness of all life, and ‘Nichiren’, meaning ‘many in body but one in spirit’.

Recent scientific discoveries provide irrefutable empirical evidence to these philosophical and metaphysical theories. Quantum physicists like David Bohm and evolutionary biologists like Darwin also accepts the interdependence of different flora and fauna of this planet for their Coexistence.

Today, the calamitous atomization of society and the violent divisiveness of our political, economic and religious institutions make it essential for us to reclaim and embody the universal and unifying principle of One Earth Family. In Gandhian tradition, fulfilling the needs of the most vulnerable and underprivileged members of this family is the touchstone on which all our actions must be based.

One Earth Family – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a new social movement that is based on this foundational principle of the oneness of all beings on earth. Its work is carried forward through an Integral Institute that seeks to highlight both the beauty and value of the infinite diversity of humanity and nature, and the inherent unity and interconnectedness of all life underlying our diversity. The profound underlying conviction is that only an integrated approach that encompasses the political, economic, ecological, social, legal, cultural and spiritual dimensions and recognizes their inter-dependence can bring about the transformation required today.

OUR PRINCIPLES

  1. Interconnectedness – one creator – as proved by Science
  2. Universe belongs exclusively to no-one: sharing and caring being the underlying principle
  3. Truth – as a constant unfolding process
  4. Compassion
  5. Consciousness
  6. Wisdom
  7. Radical responsibility for our actions and their consequences
  8. Justice (pursuit of justice in all its dimensions): spiritually, culturally, ecologically, and socially (political, economic, legal)

OUR VISION

The Vision of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is a world-view where the inherent unity and interdependence of all creation is recognized and respected, where every living soul is valued and enabled/empowered to fulfill its potential, and where cultural, ecological and spiritual diversity is valued.

OUR MISSION

The Mission of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is to equip Agents of Transformation, through a process of unlearning and spiritual evolution. These Agents of Transformation will:

  • Cherish and celebrate the interconnectedness of self, nature, culture and the entire universe.
  • Pursue truth and foster justice relentlessly in intention, word and action.

OUR VALUES

  1. Radical responsibility
  2. Universal kinship, or unity that transcends borders and labels
  3. Respect for diversity.
  4. Freedom and justice for all
  5. Compassion towards the weak and the vulnerable and preferential option for the poor.

OUR ACTIVITIES

To fulfill its mission and strive to achieve its vision, the main activities undertaken will be to:

  1. A (VAIDIC) MANIFESTO: A manuscript outlining the pressing and universal relevance of the Vedic Message for our times, and outlining a manifesto proposing a new integrated paradigm for society.
  2. PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR INTEGRAL AND TRANSFORMATIVE DIALOGUE: between leaders in religious, political, military, economic and media institutions who are ready to address and transform current systemic crises through new paradigms. 
  3. PREPARE AGENTS OF TRANSFORMATION: i.e. a new generation of young leaders from diverse cultural, religious and social backgrounds who will undertake innovative initiatives in their communities and institutions, and conceive of new paradigms for peaceful, just and ecological development.
  4. EMPOWER INDIGENOUS ADIVASI YOUTH LEADERS, FEMALE AND MALE: to become powerful national voices for their diverse cultural, spiritual and ecological traditions and their distinct socio-political aspirations. Adivasis comprise 100 million people but remain, despite their millennial culture, marginalized in India. One Earth Family will highlight the valuable contributions Adivasi culture and eco-spirituality can make to India’s socio-political, economic and environmental progress.
  5. BUILD NETWORKS TO MAXIMIZE IMPACT: For sustainability and a multiplier effect, strong networks and coalitions will be created between all participants in the above three activities. Leaders in Activity 1 will form a coalition for change to enhance transformative potential. Youth in Activities 2 and 3 will establish ‘One Earth Family’ Student Associations in their Schools, Colleges and Universities and train and empower students to multiply impact.
  6. BUILD A GLOBAL CO-CREATIVE CULTURAL COLLABORATIVE NETWORK FOR TRANSFORMATION: by drawing on the powerful global networks of contacts and collaborations of the founders with visionary leaders and transformative movements and institutions around the globe to form a nucleus that can spearhead inner and outer transformation at this time of planetary crises.