Bhutan‘s embrace of Gross National Happiness as an index of progress as well as its negative carbon footprint makes it seem like Paradise. But it too is inescapably caught in the grip of modernity, says Raji Menon.
![The Last Shangri La?](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10493/216580/58e243f748285/The-Last-Shangri-La.jpg)
It’s 2017. I look around me to see technologies of unimaginable sophistication, nations beset by collapsing financial systems, and the political consequences of neglecting the growing inequality throughout the world. Where have we reached, I wonder? Most nations have achieved great economic progress and yet life around me is a mix of poverty, anxiety, unhappiness and environmental degradation in the midst of this great plenty.
My reading lists, my inbox and my Facebook feed are filled with messages affirming that material gains alone will not fulfil our deepest needs.
Researchers at the Harvard Study of Adult Life have been conducting what may be the longest recorded study on human happiness. And it is their observation that we are now in the era of Anthropocene (an invented term that combines two Greek roots: “anthropo,” for human; and “cene,” for new), in which humanity, through its technological prowess and population, has become the major driver of changes of the Earth’s physical systems, including the climate, the carbon cycle, the water cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and biodiversity. And that since the first World Happiness Report was published (April 2012), happiness is increasingly considered to be the proper measure of social progress and the goal of public policy.
Which, of course, brought my thoughts to Bhutan. Since 1972, it has rejected the Gross National Product (GNP) as the only way to measure progress. The Fourth Dragon King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, said, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product.” Since then Bhutan has chosen instead to measure prosperity through formal principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH) and the spiritual, physical, social and environmental health of its citizens and the natural environment.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2017-Ausgabe von Life Positive.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2017-Ausgabe von Life Positive.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
![Miracles of Mount Maunganui](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/zyrW9K2Mq1725134007197/MIRACLES-OF-MOUNT-MAUNGANUI.jpg)
Miracles of Mount Maunganui
A hike to Mount Maunganui in New Zealand filled Rashi Bunny with a sense of awe and wonder equivalent to witnessing the glory of the Divine Himself
![Navigating Your 20s: A Simple Guide](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/dEcM0pRfo1725133721552/NAVIGATING-YOUR-20S-A-SIMPLE-GUIDE.jpg)
Navigating Your 20s: A Simple Guide
By embracing the tumultuous journey through her 20s, Abhilasha Srivastava learnt to triumph over the challenges encountered and carve the path for her future
![Inducing Sweet Slumber](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/-4Cd9q1FU1725133444265/INDUCING-SWEET-SLUMBER.jpg)
Inducing Sweet Slumber
As we are well aware, lack of sound sleep can give rise to physical and mental problems. To ensure a good night's rest, you could follow the suggestions given by Jamuna Rangachari in the next few pages
![Days for the Divine](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/JweyHpmBq1725133233678/DAYS-FOR-THE-DIVINE.jpg)
Days for the Divine
Guided by her mentor Megha Bajaj, Meghana Acharya sends positive vibes into the Universe to ensure the well-being and success of others
![Voices from the beyond](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/ghm9WX2P51725132423598/VOICES-FROM-THE-BEYOND.jpg)
Voices from the beyond
Near-Death Experiences (NDES) have long fascinated humanity-a glimpse beyond the veil, a sneak peek into the unknown that pulsates with wonders, mysteries and intrigue. Jamuna Rangachari takes us through the narrations of a few who went to the other side and returned to share in great detail what they experienced and how it transformed them
![All for the best](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/GkKuyldCo1725132244130/ALL-FOR-THE-BEST.jpg)
All for the best
An academic disaster turned opportunity led Rajeev Hallur to understand the jigsaw puzzle of life, initially incomprehensible to most of us
![Many Lives, One Master](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/F4oMvLtqd1725131792512/MANY-LIVES-ONE-MASTER.jpg)
Many Lives, One Master
Dr Bijal Maroo probes into the enigmatic charisma of Swami Omkaranandaji to discover the story behind his uncanny healing powers
![Modern art with a tribal touch](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/GsDGxtJnS1725131700614/MODERN-ART-WITH-A-TRIBAL-TOUCH.jpg)
Modern art with a tribal touch
Gautam Bharati and Avani Jain, based in Dungarpur, Rajasthan saw the incredible ability and passion of tribals for arts and decided to do something about it.
![Laugh your way to health](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/TSiL1-0ju1725131562827/LAUGH-YOUR-WAY-TO-HEALTH.jpg)
Laugh your way to health
Rupa Bannur, a former IT professional turned holistic health coach from Bangalore began turning to laughter yoga in 2001 after she faced profound loss of precious family members.
![Healing Hands](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10493/1816966/9bMYmfnn_1725131439908/HEALING-HANDS.jpg)
Healing Hands
When Rupesh Budh Ahmedabad from was 15 years of age, he learnt meditation from his martial arts (Karate) teacher. His teacher also introduced him to Reiki as a healing modality that can cure with just a touch. He told him that advanced Reiki practitioners can cure even from a distance without touching.