Page 35 - NAMAH-Oct-2021

Namah The four pillars of well-being — an integral approach

The outcome
An enhanced quality of life-experience. This inner — outer alignment manifests as a
groundswell of inner joy, harmony and a feeling of ‘all is well, all will be well’. While the outer
world and reality may continue to be VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous), the
response to the challenges and the experience of it will not derail the individual or collective
significantly. Integral well-being also helps build agility and inner resilience to deal with
seemingly adverse circumstances in an informed and right manner.
Framework
The following framework that has been adapted from Indian scriptures. The framework
provides the basis that can help individuals and collectives better understand the drivers,
effects and impact of the four pillars of well-being and also the interconnections that exists
between them.

AVVA: the four pillars of well-being

a
a
ahara Our intake and consumption
It encompasses all our consumption patterns. This includes all that we
eat, see, hear, sense, smell. It is a source of receiving from the external
world all that we need for managing and navigating everyday living.

vihara Our associations and lifestyle choices
a
It includes the people who form our world of interaction and
relationships, our routines, habits, occupations, social engagements,
entertainment, hobbies and interests, intellectual, physical pursuits,
networks, support groups, etc.

vicara Our guiding principles
a
The values, ideals, beliefs, thought-processes that define our attitude
and intentions. It is the quality of mind that determines our world-view.
This is directly influenced by ahara and vihara.
a
a
a
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