Evaluating mental well-being and environmental sustainability in Indian stories

Abstract

The article examines mental well-being and environmental sustainability as found in Indian stories. Mental well-being is holistic and encompasses psychological, emotional, and social health. Indian Psychology adds spirituality to this holistic realm and widens the concept. Environmental sustainability is a determinant of mental well-being and a sustainable development goal. Effective steps must be taken to preserve the environment for future generations. A sample of Jataka tales is examined to explore how mental well-being and environmental sustainability are understood in the Indian literature. The method of content and thematic analysis is used for the purpose. The superordinate themes identified are the characteristics of lower and higher mental well-being, consequences of lower mental well-being, techniques to attain higher mental well-being, features of environmental sustainability, and indigenous steps in achieving it. The findings emphasize the significance of following dharma in our day-to-day life and identify the Indian traditional ways of maintaining and enhancing mental well-being. It identifies the features of environmental sustainability that can be an inherent part of the lifestyle and highlights the indigenous methods that can be adopted to promote the sustainability of the environment. These findings will contribute significantly to increasing awareness and changing the lifestyle of the Indian community. It also shows that the methods found in the Indian philosophical texts and literature can effectively attain sustainable development goals.