Published on October 25, 2023

In a world often marked bydivision and strife, the extraordinary life and wisdom of Satish Kumar stand as a shining beacon of hope.

The visionary author of Radical Love: From Separation to Connection with the Earth, Each Other, and Ourselves recently shared his profound insights and experiences with Bookpleasures.com, offering readers a glimpse into his remarkable journey and philosophy. Satish Kumar’s path is an odyssey spanning over five decades, a journey filled with unwavering commitment to peace, sustainability, and spiritual fulfillment.

In a world often marked by division and strife, the extraordinary life and wisdom of Satish Kumar stand as a shining beacon of hope.

At the tender age of nine, he embarked on a life as a wandering Jain monk, renouncing the material world.

His early twenties witnessed an audacious pilgrimage for peace—a two-year odyssey from India to America, devoid of money, all in the name of nuclear disarmament.

Today, in his eighties, Satish Kumar continues to channel his boundless energy and wisdom toward causes close to his heart—ecological regeneration, social justice, and spiritual enlightenment.

His relentless efforts culminated in 2022, when he received the prestigious Goi Peace Award, a testament to his enduring impact on the world.

Satish is not just a living legend but a world-renowned author and international speaker. His passion for creating a just and sustainable future led to the establishment of The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity dedicated to inspiring and informing positive change.

As if that weren’t impressive enough, he held the position of Editor of the trust’s change-making magazine, Resurgence & Ecologist, for over four decades, making him the U.K.’s longest-serving Editor of the same magazine.

Even in his retirement, Satish remains deeply committed to Resurgence & Ecologist as Editor Emeritus and a prolific contributor to each groundbreaking issue.

In our interview, we delve into the extraordinary life, philosophy, and vision of a man who has inspired countless individuals worldwide and continues to be a beacon of hope for a better, more harmonious planet.

Love: The Transformative Power

Satish was inspired to write Radical Love to communicate the transformative power of love.

He highlights the importance of acting for a better world out of love rather than anger, anxiety, or fear. Love, he believes, is the source of happiness, and he wishes to see happy activists rather than miserable ones.

Satish draws a distinction between moderate love, which is selective and conditional, and radical love, which loves everyone unconditionally.

For him, loving everyone unconditionally is the key to bringing peace to the world. This extends to loving nature, as he emphasizes that we must love the Earth, animals, forests, and rivers, as loving them means protecting and caring for them.

His message is clear: we must shift our focus from destruction to love and trust.

A Journey of Unity

Satish’s extraordinary journey from India to the nuclear capitals of Moscow, Paris, London, and Washington, D.C., served as a profound lesson in the unity of humanity.

He traveled 8,000 miles through 15 countries, advocating for peace without a single penny, relying on love and trust in his heart.

He went beyond borders, religions, and ideologies, discovering that when he went as a human being, he met only human beings. His pilgrimage taught him that love is the source of unity and that we are all one humanity.

Deep Ecology: A Reverential Approach

Satish explains the difference between shallow ecology, which views humans and nature as separate and conserves nature for human benefit, and deep ecology, which sees humans as part of nature and values it intrinsically.

Deep ecology, he believes, is spiritual and respectful, treating nature as sacred. It emphasizes our interconnectedness with the environment, encouraging us to respect and appreciate nature.

Aparigraha: Simplicity and Non-Attachment

The principle of “aparigraha" is essential in shifting our focus from greed to need. Satish urges us to live simply, as there is enough for everyone’s needs but not for anyone’s greed.

Simplicity reduces social inequality and injustice and encourages us to know when enough is enough, fostering contentment and sufficiency.

The Influence of Personal Relationships

Satish’s deep love for his wife and the lessons from his mother have shaped his philosophy.

They taught him to respect and appreciate the feminine principles of deep listening, receptivity, and celebration, which he believes are essential in fostering a love for nature.

Translating Spiritual Ideals into Practical Actions

Satish encourages a shift from ego to eco, from selfishness to service. He emphasizes that any action performed for personal gain, name, fame, or ego lacks spirituality.

True spirituality lies in acts of service for the well-being of humanity and the planet. Love is at the core of this transformation, bridging the gap between ideals and actions.

Addressing Food Waste and Hunger

Satish reveres food, recognizing it as a vital source of sustenance and nourishment. He believes that food is a reflection of our relationship with nature and that we must learn to value and respect it.

In a world where millions go hungry every day, Satish advocates for a shift in our food system, from a linear model of production and consumption to a circular one that reduces waste and ensures equitable access to nutritious food for all.

Satish’s life and work embody the essence of radical love and unity, reminding us of our interconnectedness with each other and the natural world.

His philosophy offers a path to a more just, sustainable, and harmonious future, one grounded in the principles of love, trust, and service.

As we face the challenges of our time, Satish Kumar’s remarkable journey and vision serve as a guiding light, inspiring us to be agents of positive change and to work towards a better world for all.

This article provides a brief overview of my conversation with Satish Kumar. For the complete interview, please click Here.