TO FLOURISH IS
TO LOVE, LEARN, AND PLAY
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We often long for a state of consciousness that denotes ‘life satisfaction’. At UEF we like the word Flourishing to describe this state. In Latin, “florere” was used to describe the process of a flower growing and blooming, and it was often used metaphorically to describe the personal growth, development, interconnectedness and prosperity of people, communities, or societies. Over time, the word “flourishing” was adopted into English, and it retained its metaphorical meaning of human flourishing — thriving, prospering, or being in a state of vibrant growth and personal development.
Lotus flower Symbolism
The lotus flower is a symbol of purity, spiritual enlightenment, and rebirth in many Eastern cultures. The lotus flower grows in murky water, but it emerges clean and unsullied. This purity is often seen as a reflection of spiritual enlightenment and purity with the ability to rise above the material world. This is why it is often seen as a symbol of purity and transcendence.
The lotus flower is also known for its ability to bloom even in the darkest of places. This is why it is also seen as a symbol of hope and resilience. The growth of a lotus from the mud to the surface of the water represents the journey of the soul, from the material world to the spiritual realm. This journey is often seen as a metaphor for the human experience and the path to enlightenment.
In Buddhism, the lotus flower is associated with the Buddha himself. The Buddha is often depicted sitting on a lotus flower throne, and the lotus flower is also used as a symbol of the Buddha’s spiritual enlightenment.
Our Books
– To be Published in Fall 2025 by Forbes
“ To Flourish is to Love, Learn, Play “presents a fresh framework for human flourishing that transcends conventional happiness. Drawing from his journey from humble Indian origins to Blackstone India chairman and Harvard scholar, the author interweaves Eastern and Western wisdom with modern science to introduce the “LLP mindset.”
The book argues that happiness eludes us when we confuse means (wealth, power, status) with ends (our deepest yearnings of Loving, Learning,and playing). This “means-ends inversion” keeps us chasing external achievements rather than nurturing our authentic selves. Conscious living, the book suggests, is the way to prevent means-ends inversion
The book examines four dimensions of self—physical, mental, social, and transcendental—and how happiness has to be experienced at all levels.The book further explains how cultural narratives shape our understanding of a fulfilled life. Rather than pursuing happiness directly, the book proposes engaging with our inherent longings: loving (forming connections), learning (pursuing knowledge), and playing (finding joy in creativity).
Through practical applications,the book demonstrates how this mindset enriches work, parenting, and daily life, offering examples from luminaries like Einstein and Gandhi who embodied these principles.
This universal path to flourishing, accessible across all backgrounds,and irrespective of our endowments and circumstances, returns us to fundamentals that children practice naturally. By embracing these essential longings, we transcend modern life’s false narratives and rediscover our authentic selves.
-Published May 2023
“Bridges Across Humanity” explores an amazing number of common themes (54 of them – yes, 54!) across the world’s religions. This book is a culmination of five years of research I undertook with the help of Allen Simon, a Harvard Divinity School graduate.
In today’s world, which is torn apart by many divisive forces that play on our ignorance, “Bridges Across Humanity” offers a message of oneness, unity, and solidarity. There are many wonderful books on world religions that take a siloed approach in presenting each religion, focusing on the particularities of each religion. In the academy as well, religions are being taught primarily through a siloed approach. Religious practice, of course, also emphasizes particularities. With such little focus on building bridges between traditions, we should not be surprised that there is so much of an exclusivist mindset associated with religions.
“Bridges Across Humanity” is my attempt to break from the siloed approach of understanding each religious tradition as entirely separate and irreconcilable. This book takes one theme at a time and shows how it is present in all religions!!!
The book begins with a wonderfully written foreword by Francis X. Clooney SJ, Parkman Professor of Divinity and Professor of Comparative Theology at Harvard Divinity School, and current president of the CTSA (Catholic Theological Society of America), which is the largest theological association in the world.
With religiously motivated conflicts and violence still being so prevalent in our world today, my hope is that this book will be just the first of many steps toward reconnecting humanity through the restorative meaning-making potential of religion.