Page 41 - NAMAH-Oct-2021

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

or giving back. The rapid disintegration, happiness and balance, the lesser will
breakdown and disorder currently experienced be the dissatisfaction and lamentation

in social systems is testimony of this mind-set. individually and collectively.
This state is clearly contrary to well-being by
every standard! To restore a state of integral well-
being requires that AVVA is aligned
Shifting the mindset to loksanngraha is not individually and collectively. Not just once,
an easy endeavour. It is also not possible but consistently. Investing in well-being will
without a conscious and sincere effort that settle polarities within and outside and
does not seek short-term gains. It would align us to the higher. The effort and the
require simultaneously making well-being levels of engagement will vary, based on the
of the self and others as the primary driver. readiness and preparation of the individual
How do we activate this? Sri Aurobindo or the collective.
mentions that to transcend the primary
orientation from me and mine, attaching Each individual or collective can deploy the
to a higher calling can be a good starting- AVVA framework as a reference-point for
point. He mentions some of these as, reflection, taking stock, recalibrating and
“Patriotism, cosmopolitanism, service of renewal based on their current state, their
society, collectivism, humanitarianism, ideal commitment and their goal.
of humanity (6).”
To conclude, well-being is all about:

• unblocking and restoring the natural flow;
• restoring or renewing and requires an
integral and holistic engagement across the
physical, mental, vital and spiritual levels,
individually and collectively. A piecemeal
approach will only bring limited and short-
term benefits;
• accepting and appreciating the intercon-
nectedness of the four pillars (AVVA). An
Conclusion imbalance in any one impacts every other
and causes a disruption to the overall state
The world today is experiencing an imbalance of well-being; and
in the collective and individual well-being. • investing with sincere intentions, persistence,
The actions of a few have exponentially practising self-regulation with regularity.
impacted and tilted the balance and harmony
in the entire eco-system. The movement The Mother says, “If the whole being could
required is for the collectives to consciously simultaneously advance in its progressive
invest and take the onus of their well- transformation, keeping pace with the inner
being. The greater the numbers on the march of the universe, there would be no illness,
side that experiences a state of peace, there would be no death (7).”

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