This paper was presented at the
National Seminar on
Indian Psychology: Theories and Models
SVYASA, Bangalore,
December 26 - 28, 2007
 

Rethinking well-being

Sunil D. Gaur — Delhi University, Delhi

Well-being of a person, whether mental or physical, can be understood only in terms of one's environmental context (physical, social, psychological) which provides the source of his / her "being" or existence, nourishes and sustains it. Thus while successful environmental management promotes the positive experience of well-being environmental mismanagement, eco-pathology leads to ill being and psychopathology. The psychological theory of reward and reinforcement uses the environment for shaping behaviour and ill-being/ well-being. The use of money and reward has taken away the "being" from humans. Indian texts like the Gita take an extreme view of "being". There is a need to unite the two and create a balance and have a harmony between the two, achieving "Wellness for Human Beings". The division of body and mind has played havoc. For the human remains a bundle of flesh, bones, and blood and the being only consciousness- awareness. Modern psychologists criticize the medical model of ‘health’ and perhaps by using the phrase "well-being" hope for developing a better model. The model of a harmonized existence for humans, one with an awareness and understanding of the interdependence of the body and Self / Brahman / consciousness may pave the way for a better future for humans.

Email the author, Dr. Sunil D. Gaur, at sunildgaur@eth.net