Bhutan has led the world in becoming the world’s first carbon negative country. It has retained 70% of its forest and is a global leader in conservation. In addition to this it has been voted as the worlds most happiest country.
Gross National Happiness has been used to measure progress and well being since 1972. This was the king’s vision – to measure the country’s progress beyond the economic growth incorporating cultural, spiritual, psychological, and environmental considerations. This was initiated to assess various factors, including human well-being and the sustainable use of natural resources of the country’s community.
Economic growth means environmental shrinkage and destruction at the expense of human growth. Bhutan has showed us all that we can reverse this trend.
Emma is the first Western woman to be fully ordained in the Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Bhutan. She was given getsulma vows by HH Dorji Lopen at Punakha dzong at Losar in 2014 after having already lived under vows for two years.
Bhutan is famous for both its Gross National Happiness policy and its emphasis on training the mind to compassion and to not harm.
At this time the importance of training ourselves to refrain from harm seems an urgent world priority. We may not in our individual lives be able to directly stop wars but we can all cease harming living beings of all types. The example of both Bhutan and of many philosophical and spiritual paths is to encourage us to be aware of our easy habit of harming and to gradually and deliberately reduce this habit. This is why in Bhutan there is an emphasis on meditation and other peaceful practices. This foundation feeds into the principles of Gross National Happiness which are about living together in harmony with nature and defining the development of a country in greater terms than just economic numbers.
It is easy to have a mind consumed with anger at the actions of others. Be wary of this and firstly work on clearing your own mind of anger and do whatever you can to help others.
www.openingyourhearttobhutan.com
‘”Opening Your Heart to Bhutan is a registered UK charity whose work has been recognised by the British Prime Minister”
Buddhist Nun and Inspirational Teacher
Highly Qualified Transformational Coach – PCC