Indian civilization always had an inclusive vision of the world, where every creature is connected to, and is dependent on, the rest. This outlook is beautifully summarized in the concept of vasudhaiva kutumbakam–the whole world is one family. Gandhiji linked education with this vision. He stated: “Real education consists in drawing the best out of yourself. What better book can there be than the book of humanity?” Martin Luther King Jr., a well known Gandhian peace activist, shared the same vision when he said: “I am what I am because of who we all are.”
The journey of our lives is ultimately held together by two entities–Mother Nature and society. Mother Nature provides our basic human needs, while society fulfils our desires, our yearning for comfort, creativity, achievement and self-actualization. Thus, we owe everything to Mother Nature and society.
One of the fundamental principles of life is the fact that everything is interrelated, interconnected and interdependent .
Understanding of this fundamental fact leads us further to the realization that as Mother Nature and society give us everything that we need and desire, we, in turn, ought to be filled with a sense of gratitude towards both of them. This, in turn, leads to expansion of the individual, leading him/her to understand the larger context and connect with the rest of the creation. In short, it is a journey from ‘Me’ to ‘We’.
