Sukha, Santosha, and Sampatti: A Holistic Indian Approach to Flourishing and Resilience

Abstract

Well-being transcends individualism and constitutes a collective phenomenon, grounded in social interdependence, cultural narratives, and communal values. Flourishing is not merely a personal endeavour but fundamentally rooted in the health and harmony of communities. In times of adversity, optimism, hope, and resilience are not merely personal traits but are cultivated through shared experiences and cultural frameworks, highlighting the importance of relational resources in fostering communal strength. Embracing well-being as a relational construct mandates inclusive approaches that prioritise interconnectedness, reciprocity, and communal emotional experiences—affirming that enhancing personal happiness is inseparable from fostering collective flourishing.

This study advances the theory that well-being is shaped through social interactions and communal cohesion. Drawing on the Indian collectivist tradition, where happiness emerges from group cohesion and shared experiences, it contrasts this with individualistic paradigms that emphasise autonomy and personal achievement. We investigate how a collectivist cultural framework, especially within Indian traditions, shapes both individual and communal conceptions of well-being, and examine how self-aware, purposeful individuals contribute to enhancing community harmony, engagement, and collective flourishing. We argue that individual awakening acts as a catalyst for community elevation: self-aware, purposeful individuals foster societal engagement, alignment, and forward-looking vision, thereby propelling collective flourishing.

Keywords

Well-being in the Collective Culture, Well-being and Flourishing, Resilience, Holistic Indian Approach

Author Biography

Yogi Srinivas Arka

Srinivas Arka is a world-renowned philosopher, inspirational speaker, and author in the field of experience based spirituality through intuition. He has developed Human Positive Potential Programmes and is the founder of the Centre for Conscious Awareness (CCA) registered charities worldwide. He is known for his work serving communities around the world. Srinivas Arka was born in India and raised in the Vedic tradition amidst a family of whom he is the third-generation yogi after his grandfather, father, and mother. Educated formally in the field of Sanskrit literature, he received a master's degree in English literature and currently speaks seven languages. He developed his own intuitive method and began travelling extensively, having conducted his line of work in four continents over the last three decades, sharing inspiration and insightful guidelines that have transformed thousands of people's lives. Five of his books are featured under goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1686483.Srinivas_Arka

Venkat Rao Pulla

Professor Venkat Pulla is an accomplished social work academic and practitioner. He earned his Master's degree in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, received the Tata Dorabji Merit scholarship and completed a PhD in Social Work from the Karnatak University in India. He is a fellow of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), and has been a member for over 32 years.

As the Foundation Head of the School of Social Work at NAPS, Dr. Pulla is well-known for his strengths-based practice training and grounded theory research methodologies. His research explores the ethical benefits of strengths-based approaches, which contribute to more effective and empowering social work practices. Dr. Pulla makes a significant portion of his work available under Creative Commons licensing, to allow broader access to his research and encourage the free sharing of knowledge.

Dr. Pulla is the joint editor-in-chief of the Journal Space and Culture, India, which is published in the United Kingdom, as well as an associate editor for SN Social Sciences - Open Springer. He has taught a variety of social work courses at both the BSW and MSW levels, including field practice supervision at several Australian universities (ACU, CSW, CQU, Monash, CDU and USC). His academic career in Australia began at Charles Darwin University (formerly Northern Territory University).

Dr. Pulla also brings extensive practice expertise, having worked with government agencies in areas such as community development, disability, migration, refugee resettlement, dual diagnosis and multicultural social work. He is the founder of the Brisbane Institute of Strengths-Based Practice in Australia and currently serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at James Cook University's College of Arts, Society, and Education. His profile is accessible at: https://naps.edu.au/pages/prof-venkat-pulla.

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