Why Holistic

There are many reasons why people are choosing "Holistic" as the word that best describes their approach to wellbeing, spirituality or meaning in life. We have created a separate website to allow people to share their stories or describe what Holistic means to them click here to join in.

The people behind this Holistic Map site and our related site Foundation for Holistic Spirituality (F4HS) have their personal own stories. Some of them will appear here in more depth than is possible on the Why Holistic site.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”  (Margaret Mead, anthropologist)
 

Nigel Anthony, a director of the non-profit Foundation for Holistic Spirituality cic which is co-ordinating the “Holistic” campaign. 
 

Because of Ruby

I don’t know what the solution is, but there is undoubtedly a major ecological and economic crisis affecting the whole world right now in our life-time, and we are all inter-connected, and I now have a new baby daughter Ruby who is not yet one. What world will she inherit?
I have to believe for her sake that together humanity will find a holistic solution to the problems it has created; that together we can influence the way our societies and governments make decisions about wellbeing, healthcare, education, community building, social services, commerce and resources; that together we will find a solution.

For Ruby’s generation I have to believe that people are inherently good, that there are enough resources for everyone and that together we can act holistically and find a spiritual and moral solution for our times of unprecedented change and global inequity.
What I do know though, is that there is a large growing holistic community out there in the UK that is open-hearted, open-minded, aware of the inter-connectedness of everyone and everything on the planet. These holistic pioneers, entrepreneurs, practitioners, therapists, nurses, doctors, educators, and many others, all have so much to offer individually and collectively, especially in wellbeing, healthcare and education.

These holistic pioneers are walking their spiritual talk, but most often it is in isolation or small groups, and against much resistance from more conventional society, friends and even close family. So, the rub is that we have holistic solutions, but we have little acceptance and virtually no voice in most fields, and worse, our contribution is often belittled or even ridiculed.
In ones and twos the Holistic movement is undoubtedly making a difference, but together, like the Feminist movement or the Green movement, we can effect a paradigm shift of metanoian proportions (yes, I had to look it up too, “metanoia: a profound, usually spiritual, transformation.”) Okay, maybe a bit bold, but you get the drift, numbers matter in a democracy if you want change!

So for Ruby’s generation, the next time you are asked what is your religion or belief, consider saying “Holistic”. Why? It’s shorthand for an approach that is open-hearted, open-minded, aware of the inter-connectedness of everyone and everything on the planet. And if “Holistic” doesn’t work for you, then try “Spiritual”. Remember that saying “no religion” could inadvertently be a vote for secularism.

I feel it's time for the Holistic movement to stand up together and be counted, and the quote from Margaret Mead above is one of my favourites to get me active and focused on change.