This workshop, part of our Earth Conversations series, explored the concept of “Abundant Love” (a selfless love without expectation) as a transformative force for global peace. Peace activist Satish Kumar and fellow speakers discussed several key themes:
- Radical love and peace: Peace as a three-fold practice: peace with oneself, peace with humanity, and peace with the universe.
- Systemic shift: Satish Kumar advocated for replacing the global obsession with military growth and economic profit with a “Minister for Peace” and a focus on human and planetary well-being.
- Fear vs. trust: The first stage of love is identified as the absence of fear; Satish encouraged people to start their day by choosing to trust the universe rather than living in suspicion.
- Education and intelligence: The session championed an education of the “head, heart, and hands,” encouraging creativity and intuition.
- Action Research: Throughout the dialogue, participants engaged in first-person inquiry, using journaling and reflection to turn philosophical ideas into personal action.
Video Recording:
“Freedom from fear is the first step towards peace. Freedom from fear is to become a loving person. So letting go of fear is love.”
— Satish Kumar
About the Speakers:
- Satish Kumar: Peace activist, and founder of Schumacher College. He is the long-standing editor of Resurgence magazine and author of Peace is Possible and Elegant Simplicity.
- Jagdish Rattanani: Journalist, ASP Director, and co-author of the “Long Form Conversation” series.
- Sudarshan Iyengar: Gandhian economist and former Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith.
- Helena Kettleborough: Sustainability practitioner and lead for the Earth Conversations series.
Resources Mentioned:
- Abundant Love (Long-form conversation book with Satish Kumar).
- Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher.
- ISO 37000/37011