Spirituality, Universal Love and Sustainable Behaviour

Abstract

Sustainability is a hot topic widely discussed in many circles of academics, professionals and policy makers worldwide. Technological, institutional and infrastructural changes are often considered to be effective measures in achieving sustainability goals. No doubt all such external changes are necessary; however, they remain inadequate without inner changes that make individual behaviour sustainable. This study points out that the root causes of our unsustainable behaviour is our perceived separateness from fellow human beings and the natural environment, which results in self-centeredness, greed and fear. Research findings in neuroscience suggest that the perceived separateness is an illusion created by our brain. Nevertheless, the brain itself is endowed with the capacity to overcome this separateness by Universal Love. Spirituality is about re-wiring the brain to realize this capacity. Most spiritual practices, both religious and non-religious, represent different methods to achieve this goal.