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Spirituality: The Missing Link of Sustainability and Happiness as a Framework for Holistic Development

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Perspectives on Community Well-Being

Part of the book series: Community Quality-of-Life and Well-Being ((CQLWB))

Abstract

There is a growing consensus that sustainability and happiness are interrelated—while happiness promotes sustainable behaviours, sustainable behaviours enhance happiness. However, there are other factors linking sustainability and happiness. In this chapter, we identify the missing link as spirituality. Our exploration differentiates spirituality from religion and presents it in rational and scientific terms and points out how individuals become intrinsically happier and behave in sustainable ways as they grow spiritually. Spirituality can be the source of both happiness and sustainability and, ultimately, enhanced community well-being. Drawing on this understanding, we then develop a theoretical framework for sustainable personal and community development that is holistic and can help foster understanding of the role of spirituality in happiness and well-being, including in the neighbourhood context.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 311 E Huntington Dr., Tempe, AZ, 85282, USA

    Erica Berejnoi

  2. No 20, Heatley Avenue Hokothitu, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand

    Rohana Ulluwishewa

  3. Wrigley Hall, 800 Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA

    Scott Cloutier

  4. 15 W Buena Vista Dr., Tempe, AZ, 85284, USA

    Leah Gibbons

  5. 922 E Apache Blvd Apt 303, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA

    Susana Puga

  6. Center for Spirituality in Sustainable Business Management, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Sri Lanka

    Anura Uthumange

Authors
  1. Erica Berejnoi
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  2. Rohana Ulluwishewa
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  3. Scott Cloutier
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  4. Leah Gibbons
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  5. Susana Puga
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  6. Anura Uthumange
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Correspondence to Erica Berejnoi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)

    Youngwha Kee

  2. Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)

    Seung Jong Lee

  3. Honors College, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Rhonda Phillips

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Berejnoi, E., Ulluwishewa, R., Cloutier, S., Gibbons, L., Puga, S., Uthumange, A. (2019). Spirituality: The Missing Link of Sustainability and Happiness as a Framework for Holistic Development. In: Kee, Y., Lee, S., Phillips, R. (eds) Perspectives on Community Well-Being . Community Quality-of-Life and Well-Being. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15115-7_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15115-7_11

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