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Holism- Proudly South African |
The term "holism" was introduced by the South African statesman Jan Smuts in his 1926 book, Holism and Evolution. Smuts defined holism as "The tendency in nature to form wholes that are greater than the sum of the parts through creative evolution."
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has the following to say about Ubuntu: “A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.”
So, not only did a South African coin the term, "holism", holism is also something which underpins our understanding of Ubuntu. Holism and Ubuntu goes hand in hand:
Holism recognizes that all life is connected, interdependent and developing to fulfil its potential and welcomes and celebrates diversity of culture and belief (as described in the Holistic Manifesto). In the concept of Ubuntu (as described by Tutu), a person with Ubuntu is open and available to others and affirming of others.
Tutu also said: "One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality - Ubuntu - you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity."
As the Zulu Maxim states, "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu", "A person is (only) a person through other persons".
As South Africans we can make a positive contribution to holistic spirituality and the concept of Ubuntu is just one example of how we can do it. Holism is Ubuntu. Holism is proudly South African. Come one Rainbow Nation, let's contribute and make a difference!
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Holism: Proudly South African 
