Spirituality and Sustainable Development


Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
218 Pages
Reviewed on 07/18/2014
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Author Biography

Rohana Ulluwishewa was an Associate Professor at the Sri Jayewardenepura University in Sri Lanka. After gaining an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK, he completed his PhD at Kyushu University, Japan. In his thirty years of academic career he has worked as Senior Lecturer at the University of Brunei Darusalam, and was Visiting Fellow at Wageningen Agricultural University and Leiden University in the Netherlands, and at Leeds University, UK. He served as a consultant for many national and international development agencies and has published in numerous international journals. He was also an Honorary Research Associate at Massey University in New Zealand, where he currently lives.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Suzanne Cowles for Readers' Favorite

Spirituality and Sustainable Development by Rohana Ulluwishewa examines an old social dilemma from a new perspective. Instead of focusing on poverty and inequality as the issue, he proposes that the elitists and over-consumers are the real problem. They approach sustainability from an economic viewpoint not a spiritual one, which only meets the demands of today. In addition, their lack of spiritual reality is the root cause of all development failures. The Universal Law of selfless love will transform mankind by adding purpose and meaning to our existence. Together, through prayer, meditation, moral ethics and respect for natural ecosystems, we can reinvest in society and attain spiritual happiness through interdependent relationships. Laid out in four easily digested parts, this thought-provoking guide defines the differences between spirituality and religion, details the current global economic system, examines conventional development and worldly pursuits, and envisions the possibilities of spiritual growth.

Rohana Ulluwishewa in Spirituality and Sustainable Development recognizes that spiritual progression can only be reached through moral responsibility to the future of humanity. In twelve chapters Ulluwishewa challenges the reader to reduce self-centeredness, cultivate love for others and share resources. Professor Ulluwishewa’s altruistic mission spurs optimism and hope in a society plagued by materialism. Spirituality and Sustainable Development is a powerful exposé of the price of greed and how one person can spark inner change. I enjoyed the author’s doable solution suggestions and the non-preachy presentation of the subject matter. Overall, Spirituality and Sustainable Development is an insightful journey into the possibilities of what could be.