Sustainable Living Concepts

Dedication

• The book's completion was made possible by the blessings of Amma, Sat-guru Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi.
• The authors showed gratitude for her countless love.

Editor-in-Chief

• Br Achyutamrita Chaitanya, Ph.D.

Editorial Board

• Br. Rupesh Kalesan
• Harikrishnan Venugopal
• Preethimol Gopi
• Akshay Mohanan

Preface

• The book "Foundations of Indian Heritage" explores Indian culture, focusing on the profound wisdom of Dharma.
• The book is structured into 14 chapters.
• The book delves into specific aspects of Indian heritage and their connections to contemporary challenges, focusing on Indian knowledge systems.
• The book highlights the impact of colonialism on India's cultural identity.

Decolonisation

• India gained independence in 1947.
• Colonization is remembered as a period of violence, suffering, and the imposition of laws.
• The book discusses decolonization as a process of recognizing the true essence of Indian heritage and decolonizing the mind.
• The book also highlights the ongoing effects of colonialism and the importance of understanding it.

Activity 1

• Defines words Maya, Atma, Ishwara, Manas, Asura, Shakti.

Defining Colonisation

• Europeans set out to "discover" foreign lands.
• European nations colonised numerous regions on Earth over a long time.
• The difficulty in defining colonialism is discussed, often limited to imperialism as only political and economic control.
• Colonialism is defined as the process of European settlement, violent dispossession, and political domination.

Decolonization (page 7)

• A broad concept that refers to the project of European political domination that began in the early sixteenth century.

Decolonization (page 8)

• Attempts to bridge ancient wisdom with contemporary issues.
• Explores Indian philosophical frameworks, or Darśhanās.
• The book explores the acquisition of knowledge highlighting the rigorous methodologies that underpin Indian philosophical thought.
• Covers a holistic understanding of human nature.
• Identifies six essential qualities that lead to success.
• Delves into the concept of Dharma.
• The importance of family as a foundational unit of society.
• Explores cultural and civilizational unity of India.

Decolonization (page 9)

• Urges younger generation to learn from the past and carry forward the baton of Indian heritage.
• To take an expedition through time offering a deep and nuanced understanding of India's contributions to the world.
• To broaden horizons, challenging preconceptions and developing a holistic worldview.

Contents (page 10)

• List of chapters within the book.
• Names of contributors, experts and scholars who are writing the various chapters.
• Page numbers allocated for each chapter in the book.

Contents (page 11)

• Continues the list of chapters within the book.
• Names of contributors, experts and scholars who are writing the various chapters.
• Page numbers allocated for each chapter in the book.

Chapter 1: Decolonization (page 13)

• Discusses the legacy of British colonialism in India.

Chapter 1: Decolonization (page 14)

• Defines words Maya, Atma, Ishwara, Manas, Asura, Shakti.
• Explains what colonisation is and its effects.
• Beginning of the process of decolonisation as the understanding of colonialism.

Chapter 2: Windows to the Universe: Indian Darśhanās (page 37)

• Discusses the ancient Indian temples, their carved windows, and their impact on perception.
• Explores the organic relationship between epistemology and science through historical illustrations.
• Introduces the concept of natural theology, highlighting how it viewed the world as a masterpiece or clock.
• Shows how Darwin's theory of evolution challenged this view.

Chapter 5: A Vedantic Modelling of Human Personality (page 75)

• Provides a model of human personality based on Vedantic philosophy.
• Explains the five sheaths (or dimensions) of the human being (Annamaya, Prāṇamaya, Manomaya, Vijñānamaya and Anandamaya).

Chapter 6: The Wake-up Call from the Upanishads (page 85)

• Discusses the importance of self-knowledge and the nature of the “I”.
• Explores an analogy of a chariot from Katha Upanishad.

Chapter 7: Goals of Life (page 94)

• Outlines various goals or aims as essential to human life (Kāma, Artha, Dharma, and Mokṣa).

Chapter 8: The Six Ingredients of Success (page 101)

• Presents six essential qualities for achieving success, based on ancient Indian wisdom (Prasannamūrttih, Samudāracetāh, Vamśābhimānī, śubhavāgvilāsah, Anītibhītih, and Gurusādhunamrah).

Chapter 9: Making Sense of Dharma (page 110)

• Defines Dharma.
• Explores Dharma in different cultures and civilisations.

Chapter 10: Ancestral Anchors: The Indian Family (page 126)

• Underscores the role of family in the teachings of ancient Indian literature, exploring how it shaped young minds.

Chapter 11: Decoding the Idea of India (page 134)

• Explores potential elements that created a unified sense of India before the colonial era.
• Discusses the importance of pilgrimage sites, ancient texts, such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

Chapter 12: Nation Builders of Bharatavarsha (page 144)

• Focuses on the examples of revered historical figures who preserved and promoted Indian cultural values and principles.

Chapter 13: Civilisational Bridges: India and the World (page 153)

• Explores cross-cultural exchanges that helped disseminate Indian knowledge and influence other societies.
• Discusses trade routes and spiritual paths as vital channels linking India to the world.

Chapter 14: “Children, Have You Learnt Your Lessons Yet?” (page 163)

• Reflects on the nature of experience, learning and the importance of self-reflection.