Satish Kumar

2.1. Birth and early life

Satish Kumar was born on August 9, 1936, in Sri Dungargarh, a town in Rajasthan, India. At the remarkably young age of nine, he made the profound decision to leave his family and embark on a spiritual path, becoming a Jain monk. This early immersion in Jain principles instilled in him a deep understanding of non-violence and asceticism.

2.2. Renunciation and influence of Vinoba Bhave

At the age of 18, Kumar experienced a significant turning point after reading a book by Mahatma Gandhi. Inspired by Gandhi's philosophy, he decided to leave the mendicant order of Jain monasticism, believing that religion could not be entirely separated from the secular world. He then became a student of Vinoba Bhave, an eminent disciple of Gandhi. Bhave was known for his advocacy of nonviolence and land reform, and Kumar joined Bhave's ashram, where he further deepened his understanding of these principles.

3.1. Motivation and planning

The inspiration for Satish Kumar's extraordinary peace walk stemmed from hearing about Bertrand Russell's civil disobedience against the atomic bomb, which led to Russell's imprisonment. In June 1962, deeply moved by Russell's activism, Kumar and his companion, E. P. Menon, resolved to undertake a "Pilgrimage for Peace." Their ambitious plan was to walk from India to the four capitals of the world's earliest nuclear-armed countries: Moscow, Paris, London, and Washington, D.C.. A central tenet of their journey was to travel without any money, relying entirely on the kindness and hospitality of strangers. Vinoba Bhave, Kumar's mentor, bestowed upon them two essential "gifts" for their journey: the commitment to remain penniless wherever they walked and to adhere strictly to a vegetarian diet.

3.2. Journey and experiences

The peace walk, spanning over 8,000 miles (approximately 8.7 K mile ^{(14.00 K km)}), lasted two and a half years. Kumar and Menon began their journey by traveling through Pakistan, where, despite the historic conflict and antipathy between Pakistan and India, they encountered great kindness and hospitality. They continued their arduous trek, leaving Pakistan via the Khyber Pass and proceeding through Afghanistan, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, and across the Caucasus Mountains before reaching Moscow. From there, they continued to Paris, London, and finally, Washington, D.C. Throughout their journey, traveling entirely on foot and carrying no money, Kumar and his companion depended on the generosity of people who offered them food or shelter.

A particularly symbolic moment occurred on their way to Moscow when they met two women outside a tea factory. Upon learning of their mission, one of the women gave them four packets of tea, instructing them to deliver one to each of the leaders of the four nuclear powers. The accompanying message was profound: "When you think you need to press the button, stop for a minute and have a fresh cup of tea." This encounter further inspired their journey, making the delivery of "peace tea" a significant part of their mission. They successfully delivered this symbolic tea to the leaders of four of the nuclear powers. Before returning to India, Kumar also visited Japan, a nation that had experienced the devastating impact of atomic bombs.

3.3. Chronicle in "No Destination"

The entirety of this remarkable journey, along with Satish Kumar's spiritual reflections and experiences as a pilgrim, is meticulously chronicled in his autobiography, No Destination: Autobiography of a Pilgrim. The book serves as a testament to the power of non-violent activism and the human spirit.

4.1. Schumacher College

Satish Kumar played a pivotal role in the founding of Schumacher College in 1991, an international center for ecological studies located in Devon, England. The college's philosophy centers on creating a truly sustainable and rich society through holistic education and community living. It operates as a small community, accommodating a maximum of 50 people, where students, lecturers, and staff collectively participate in fundamental daily activities such as cleaning and cooking. This approach emphasizes learning through practical action and shared experience, rather than solely through theoretical knowledge. Schumacher College offers a one-year Master's course in Holistic Science, alongside 10 to 20 short courses annually, each lasting between one and three weeks. The curriculum integrates diverse topics including development, food systems, economics, organizational management, spiritual growth, sustainability, peace, and equality. The college attracts world-renowned experts such as Fritjof Capra, Helena Norberg-Hodge, and Vandana Shiva as guest lecturers. By 2006, approximately 3,000 students, ranging in age from 18 to 80, from 88 different countries, had studied at Schumacher College, highlighting its global reach and impact.

4.2. Small School

In 1982, Satish Kumar, in collaboration with nine local families, established the Small School in Hartland, Devon. This local middle and high school (for students aged 11 to 16) was founded with the aim of fostering holistic development by balancing intellectual, practical, and spiritual aspects of learning. The school maintains a small student body of about 40 pupils, ensuring a low student-to-teacher ratio of one full-time teacher for every eight students. The Small School became a pioneering model for "human-sized" educational institutions in the UK, sparking a wider movement and significantly contributing to the field of alternative education.

4.3. Editor of Resurgence & Ecologist

Between 1973 and 2016, Satish Kumar served as the influential editor of Resurgence & Ecologist magazine. This publication was formed by combining the esteemed Resurgence magazine, which was widely regarded as the artistic and spiritual flagship of the green movement, with The Ecologist. Under Kumar's editorship, the magazine became a vital platform for ecological thought, environmental activism, and discussions on spirituality and sustainable living, playing a significant role in shaping the discourse of the green movement.

4.4. Other media and contributions

Beyond his editorial work, Satish Kumar has engaged extensively with various media platforms to disseminate his ideas. He was a regular contributor to the BBC's "Thought for the Day" segment on the Today programme and also appeared on the popular radio program Desert Island Discs. Kumar was featured in Richard Dawkins' documentary The Enemies of Reason, specifically in the 'Slaves to Superstition' episode, where he offered a contrasting perspective to Dawkins' investigation into unscientific beliefs. He also created a film titled Earth Pilgrim for BBC2's Natural History Series, further exploring his deep connection to the natural world.

In October 2009, Kumar contributed an essay to The Society for Curious Thought titled "Focus on Food" and was also a key contributor to the book We Are One: A Celebration of Tribal Peoples. This book explores the rich cultures of indigenous peoples worldwide, highlighting both their diversity and the threats they face. It features a collection of statements from tribal individuals, compelling photographs, and essays from a wide array of international authors, campaigners, politicians, philosophers, poets, artists, journalists, anthropologists, environmentalists, and photojournalists. All royalties generated from the sale of We Are One are directed to Survival International, an organization dedicated to advocating for indigenous rights.

5.1. Environmentalism and reverence for nature

At the heart of Satish Kumar's philosophy is an unwavering belief in the centrality of reverence for nature. He insists that this reverence should not be a peripheral concern but rather the fundamental basis for all political and social discourse. His ecological perspective views humanity as an integral part of the natural world, emphasizing that the well-being of the planet is inextricably linked to human well-being. He advocates for policies and lifestyles that honor and protect the Earth, seeing environmental degradation as a symptom of a deeper spiritual and societal disconnect from nature.

5.2. Non-violence and pacifism

Kumar's commitment to non-violence and pacifism is deeply ingrained, stemming from his early influences under Jainism and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. His epic peace walk, undertaken to advocate against nuclear weapons, exemplifies his dedication to these principles. He believes that non-violence is not merely the absence of conflict but an active force for positive change, capable of transforming individuals and societies. His advocacy extends to all forms of violence, whether against humans, animals, or the environment, promoting a holistic approach to peace.

5.3. Simple living and spirituality

Satish Kumar champions the importance of simple living, advocating for a lifestyle that minimizes consumption and material pursuits. He views simple living not as deprivation but as a pathway to greater personal freedom, contentment, and a deeper connection to the natural world. For Kumar, personal spirituality is intrinsically linked to a meaningful life, providing a moral compass and fostering a sense of interconnectedness with all beings. He believes that by simplifying our lives and cultivating inner peace, individuals can contribute more effectively to collective well-being and environmental sustainability. He himself lives a simple life in Hartland, Devon.

5.4. Critique of realism

Kumar is a vocal critic of "realist" approaches in politics and international relations. He argues that the pursuit of power, self-interest, and pragmatic solutions, often characteristic of realism, has led to catastrophic global consequences. He boldly states, "Look at what realists have done for us. They have led us to war and climate change, poverty on an unimaginable scale, and wholesale ecological destruction. Half of humanity goes to bed hungry because of all the realistic leaders in the world. I tell people who call me 'unrealistic' to show me what their realism has done. Realism is an outdated, overplayed and wholly exaggerated concept." This critique highlights his conviction that an idealistic and spiritual vision, grounded in compassion and ecological wisdom, offers a more viable and ethical path forward for humanity than the conventional, often cynical, frameworks of political realism.