Interweaving Spiritual Wisdom: Brahma Kumaris, Newton, Aurobindo, Meher Baba, Hawkins, Buddhism, and Taoism
The Nature of the Soul and the Divine Self At
Inequality – the vast gap in wealth, opportunity, and power both within and between countries – stands as one of the defining challenges of our time. Even as the world made economic gains in recent decades, the benefits have been distributed unevenly, leaving billions behind. Today, 65% of the global population lives in countries where income inequality is rising, a trend that threatens social stability and collective well-being. The United Nations has warned of a “global social crisis” fueled by staggering disparities, declining trust, and social fragmentation. In this context, Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) is not just a target but a moral imperative – to “leave no one behind” in pursuit of a more just and inclusive world. The World Happiness Foundation (WHF) fully embraces this goal, viewing it through the lens of our core mission: fostering global happiness, well-being, and fundamental peace. We believe that achieving SDG 10 requires reframing our mindset from one of scarcity and competition to one of abundance and solidarity, in line with our vision of 10 billion free, conscious, and happy people by 2050. By adopting an abundance mindset and the principles of Happytalism, we can create a world of Shared Prosperity & Social Justice – “a world where wealth and opportunities are shared more equally across all people and nations”, as our reframed Goal 10 envisions. In this position paper, we outline the Foundation’s perspective on SDG 10: why reducing inequality is essential for human happiness and peace, and how embracing generosity, inclusion, and collective well-being can enhance prosperity for everyone.
Traditional approaches to inequality often assume a zero-sum game – a view rooted in a scarcity mindset. In a scarcity mindset, life is seen as a finite pie: if one group gains a larger slice, others must get a smaller slice. This mindset breeds fear and competition: people and nations cling to what they have and may even resist others’ progress, believing “there isn’t enough for everyone”. Indeed, the very language of “reducing inequalities” can imply taking from some to give to others, which can trigger defensive attitudes among the powerful. The World Happiness Foundation rejects this zero-sum framing. Instead, we advocate for an abundance mindset in addressing inequality – a recognition that improving life for one group does not come at the expense of another, but in fact creates new opportunities and stability for all. As WHF founder Luis Gallardo observes, “a scarcity mindset creates limitations, whereas an abundance mindset allows us to think big and set bold goals”. An abundance approach to SDG 10 means moving past the fear that someone else’s gain is your loss. It replaces fear with trust and rivalry with cooperation, understanding that we are genuinely happy when others succeed and that one community’s flourishing need not come at the expense of another; in fact, others’ success can create new opportunities for all.
From this perspective, when others prosper, it enhances our collective well-being. Reducing inequality is not about pulling anyone down – it is about lifting everyone up, especially those who have been marginalized. Research by leading global institutions supports this win-win view. For example, the International Monetary Fund finds that policies which raise the incomes of the poor and middle class end up benefiting all of society by fostering more inclusive and sustainable economic growth. As IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde put it, “everybody will benefit” from steps to lift up those at the bottom, because more equitable growth leads to more durable prosperity. In other words, reducing inequality isn’t just charity or moral goodness – it is sound strategy for a healthier economy and society. Similarly, the World Bank now measures progress not only by overall GDP, but also by how much the poorest 40% are advancing – a concept it calls “shared prosperity,” defined as fostering income growth of the bottom 40% of the population in every country. Notably, the Bank emphasizes that shared prosperity is “not an agenda of redistributing a fixed pie” but of expanding the pie and ensuring the gains reach those who need it most. This aligns perfectly with an abundance mindset: human ingenuity and compassion can expand opportunities so that everyone can thrive together, rather than fighting over scraps. The World Happiness Foundation draws inspiration from these insights – they affirm that greater equality and collective flourishing go hand in hand. When we narrow the gaps between rich and poor, we strengthen the social fabric, boost trust, and unlock human potential that benefits all.
In line with our commitment to abundance and well-being, the World Happiness Foundation has introduced Happytalism as a new development paradigm for reframing the Sustainable Development Goals. Happytalism seeks to shift the focus from what we want to eliminate towards what we want to build, emphasizing positive outcomes like happiness, well-being, and unity. When it comes to SDG 10, we believe it’s not enough to merely reduce inequalities; we must actively create the conditions for shared prosperity and social justice. In our Happytalist framework, Goal 10 is renamed “Shared Prosperity & Social Justice,” signaling an affirmative vision of a fair and abundant world. Rather than fixating on closing gaps in a fear-driven way, this vision focuses on designing systems where wealth and opportunities flow to all people and nations through intentional generosity, equity, and inclusion.
At the heart of this approach is a redefinition of what progress means. Progress is not measured by the fortunes of a few, or even by overall averages, but by the well-being of all segments of society. Happytalism urges replacing narrow economic indicators with metrics that capture the true quality of life – for instance, Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness has inspired us to propose Gross Global Happiness as a complement to GDP. Using such metrics shifts policy priorities towards improving the lives of those who are worst off and increasing collective happiness, not just generating wealth. This perspective dovetails with calls from top international bodies: the UN’s World Social Report 2025 advocates a new policy consensus centered on “equity, economic security for all and solidarity,” recognizing that current frameworks must change to address insecurity and inequality. In practical terms, a Happytalist Goal 10 means pursuing policies that ensure everyone can thrive with access to ample resources and opportunities, through fair distribution and economic systems focused on well-being rather than scarcity. We echo the United Nations’ principle of leaving no one behind, expanding it with an abundance mindset: we strive not only for no one left behind, but for everyone to get ahead together. Shared prosperity is about structuring our economy and society so that success breeds more success across communities – a virtuous cycle in which uplifting the vulnerable strengthens the whole.
Crucially, Happytalism also highlights the importance of inner development alongside external reforms. Reducing inequality requires more than new laws or funding – it calls for a cultural shift in how we value each other. By cultivating empathy, compassion, and mindfulness (core Happytalist values), societies become more inclined to care about justice and inclusion. When people develop a mindset of plenitude and kindness, they naturally support policies that uplift others. Thus, our approach to SDG 10 marries systemic change with a shift in consciousness: we work to transform both institutions and hearts. We believe that by raising the collective consciousness – helping individuals recognize our interdependence – the world will no longer tolerate exclusion or extreme inequality. In an awakened world, gross inequality will be seen as the absurdity that it is: just as we consider it unacceptable for someone to be denied basic rights, so too will it be unacceptable for vast swathes of humanity to live in deprivation while others enjoy opulence. A society grounded in happiness and well-being for all inherently strives to narrow divides, because it understands that we rise together or not at all.
The pursuit of social justice – ensuring fair treatment and equal opportunity for all – is not only a moral duty, but also the bedrock of a peaceful and happy society. Extreme inequality is a form of “structural violence,” an injustice built into social systems that harms individuals and communities. When marginalized groups are denied access to resources, or when the accident of birth determines life outcomes, it breeds resentment, despair, and conflict. The World Happiness Foundation views fundamental peace as a state where people are free from both fear and want. By this definition, we cannot achieve true peace while severe inequalities persist, because pervasive want and unfairness sow the seeds of unrest. Evidence around the world supports this link: societies with high inequality often experience lower social cohesion and trust. The UN has observed that “rising insecurity and inequality are undermining social cohesion and straining the foundations of solidarity”, with trust in institutions plummeting as disparities grow. Indeed, across countries, excessive inequality correlates with higher crime rates, political polarization, and eroded trust in government – conditions that undermine everyone’s quality of life. On the other hand, when a society makes serious strides toward equity, it tends to foster greater unity and stability. People are more likely to cooperate and contribute when they feel they are being treated fairly and have a stake in shared prosperity.
Social justice, in our view, is thus inseparable from collective well-being and happiness. Research in psychology and public health has shown that large gaps in income and status can heighten stress and reduce overall life satisfaction even among the better-off, partly by fraying the social fabric. Conversely, more egalitarian societies (such as those with strong social safety nets and inclusive policies) often report higher average happiness and trust in others. Equality is not about drab uniformity or dragging down high achievers; it’s about ensuring dignity and opportunity for every person, so that each can contribute meaningfully to society. This inclusive approach enriches all of us. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned in early 2025, “countless people are struggling to make ends meet, while wealth and power concentrate at the top… Such challenges demand collective solutions”. We wholeheartedly agree: the answer to inequality must be collective, rooted in solidarity. This means those with advantages – whether individuals, communities, or nations – joining hands with those in need, not out of pity but out of recognition that our fates are intertwined. In the spirit of non-violence and empathy, we advocate addressing grievances through dialogue and restorative justice, rather than allowing frustrations to boil over into conflict. Every policy choice should be evaluated by its impact on the most marginalized among us. By putting the last first, we not only do what’s right, we also build a society that is safer, happier, and more resilient for everyone. Ultimately, peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice – a wisdom we carry forward in championing SDG 10.
Translating the vision of shared prosperity into reality requires bold policies that redistribute wealth and expand opportunity. In an era when the wealth of the world’s billionaires grows even as the poorest struggle, it is clear that market forces alone will not correct inequality. Deliberate action is needed to ensure the gains of progress reach all people. The World Happiness Foundation joins leading economists and international institutions in calling for “smart redistribution” policies that lift up the lower rungs of society without compromising growth. Fortunately, many such policies are well known and within reach – what’s required is the political will and public support to implement them. From a Happytalist perspective, these measures are not about charity or punitive measures, but about investing in our collective well-being. Here we highlight key pillars of an inclusive, abundance-driven policy agenda for SDG 10:
Through these and other measures, governments and communities can actively reshape the distribution of opportunities in society. Importantly, we emphasize that redistribution and inclusion are policies of hope, not division. Far from breeding dependency or resentment, they build a sense of common purpose and trust. When people see concrete efforts to reduce inequality – such as tax justice, better public services, and inclusive institutions – it reinforces social cohesion. It tells citizens “we are all in this together.” The World Happiness Foundation stands with the United Nations and other leading organizations in urging urgent action so that “leaving no one behind” becomes reality, not just rhetoric. We also stress that wealthy countries and communities have a responsibility to share prosperity, not only within their borders but globally. In our interconnected world, poverty and inequality anywhere are a threat to stability and progress everywhere. Thus, policies of inclusion must extend to global solidarity, as we discuss next.
SDG 10 explicitly calls for reducing inequalities among countries as well as within them. The World Happiness Foundation strongly supports this global dimension of the goal. It is an uncomfortable truth that a child born in a low-income country today faces vastly different life chances than one born in a high-income country. This stark inequality of opportunity on the global scale is perhaps the greatest injustice of all. Shared prosperity and social justice must be global in scope. We cannot consider our world prosperous or happy when entire nations remain mired in poverty while others enjoy abundance. An abundance mindset applied globally means recognizing that helping other nations develop and thrive does not diminish the rich countries – on the contrary, it enhances stability, markets, and innovation for everyone. “When others prosper, it enhances our collective well-being,” as our reframed Goal 10 states. With this principle in mind, WHF advocates for a new era of global solidarity and cooperation to narrow the gaps between countries.
Firstly, this requires fair and compassionate international economic systems. We join calls for reforming trade and finance rules that currently perpetuate inequalities. Developing countries should have an equitable voice in global institutions like the IMF and World Bank, and fair access to trade markets to sell their goods without unfair barriers. Richer nations should fulfill and go beyond commitments to official development assistance, targeting investments in health, education, and sustainable infrastructure in the Global South. Initiatives like debt relief or restructuring can provide poorer countries with the fiscal space to invest in their people, instead of servicing unsustainable debts. Technology and knowledge transfer is another cornerstone: sharing green technologies, medical know-how, and digital access can accelerate development and close gaps. We’ve seen during the COVID-19 pandemic how vaccine hoarding by wealthy nations and lack of technology sharing cost lives – a scarcity-driven approach that ultimately hurt the entire world. An abundance approach would ensure that life-saving innovations are treated as global public goods, accessible to all.
Secondly, global inequality in wealth and carbon emissions means affluent nations carry a responsibility to address climate change and its impacts on poorer nations. Climate justice is a facet of reducing inequality: those who have benefited most from industrialization must support those who are now most vulnerable to environmental crises. This includes generous climate financing for adaptation and a just transition, as well as transferring renewable energy technology. If done in a spirit of partnership, climate action can be a win-win that creates green jobs in developing countries and a healthier planet for everyone.
Furthermore, migration should be managed with humanity and shared responsibility. People often migrate as a response to inequality and lack of opportunity at home. When managed cooperatively, migration can reduce global disparities (through remittances and filling labor needs) and enrich host societies culturally. We encourage international agreements that protect migrants’ rights and distribute the responsibility for refugees fairly across countries, reflecting our common humanity.
Lastly, bridging the gap involves fostering a culture of global citizenship and solidarity. Education and media should highlight our interconnectedness and counter narratives of nationalism that pit nations against each other. The World Happiness Foundation, through our global initiatives and consultative status at the United Nations, promotes the idea that humanity is one family. We lift up stories of cooperation across borders and celebrate progress like the dramatic fall in global extreme poverty over the past generation (a reminder that positive change is possible when we unite efforts). By cultivating empathy across nations, we build support for the aid, trade, and peacebuilding policies needed to reduce international inequalities.
In sum, global shared prosperity means rethinking the world’s priorities – shifting from competition between nations to collaboration. It means wealthy countries viewing the rise of poorer countries not as a threat, but as a boost to the “stable and creative society” we all seek. Our fates on this planet are intertwined. Just as within a nation, the divide between rich and poor undermines the social fabric, so too a world with deep divides is less secure and less happy for everyone. By extending the principle of leave no country behind, we move closer to a future where all nations flourish side by side, each contributing their unique strengths to a prosperous and peaceful global community.
No single entity – no government, NGO, or business – can overcome inequality alone. The fight for shared prosperity and social justice must be a collective endeavor, harnessing the strengths of every sector of society. The World Happiness Foundation strongly believes in multi-stakeholder partnerships, exemplified by our own collaborations that bring together communities, social enterprises, researchers, and policymakers to create holistic solutions. To achieve SDG 10, we call on all stakeholders to unite in action:
When all these actors collaborate, the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. The fight against inequality needs this ecosystem approach where each sector’s efforts reinforce the others. For example, a government policy to expand school access will be far more effective if accompanied by community mentoring programs (civil society), scholarship funding (business philanthropy), and knowledge-sharing from UNESCO or UNICEF (international bodies). By breaking out of silos and uniting behind common objectives, we create feedback loops of positive change. The World Happiness Foundation actively promotes such synergy. We convene dialogues, such as our World Happiness summits and public policy forums, to bridge perspectives – ensuring that voices from the grassroots to global leaders can learn from each other. We see ourselves as part of a global happiness coalition aligning with the SDGs and the values of human rights, dignity, and compassion. Together, we can transform the cycle of inequality into a cycle of shared prosperity, where success in one community fuels hope and opportunity in another, across all boundaries.
Achieving SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities – is essential for building a world where well-being is shared by all. The World Happiness Foundation’s position is clear: To create “a world where wealth and opportunities are shared more equally across all people and nations”, we must embrace a new mindset and bold collective action. We need to move beyond the old paradigm of scarcity and competition and adopt an abundance mindset that sees everyone’s gain as everyone’s gain. This paradigm shift, embodied in our Happytalist philosophy, reframes our goals from merely cutting losses to cultivating positives – from reducing gaps to fostering widespread prosperity and justice. It aligns with the insights of top international institutions and thought leaders, all converging on a powerful truth: humanity thrives when we uplift one another. Whether it’s the IMF highlighting that inclusive policies benefit all, or the UN urging solidarity to address the insecurity bred by inequality, the message resonates – we rise by lifting others.
Realizing shared prosperity and social justice will not be easy. It demands “unprecedented cooperation across sectors” and a willingness to transform entrenched systems. It calls for courage to implement redistributive policies and vision to measure success in human terms rather than just economic terms. Yet, the reward is immeasurable: a world where no one is left behind, and indeed everyone can move forward. In such a world, the talents of billions of people now constrained by disadvantage would be unleashed. Communities would be more harmonious and resilient, having banished the tensions of extreme inequality. And individuals, freed from crippling insecurity, could pursue their dreams and contribute fully to society. This is a world not of uniformity, but of unity in diversity, where each person’s light can shine.
The World Happiness Foundation invites all stakeholders – governments, businesses, civil society, and global citizens – to join in embracing happytalism for a world of abundance. We must challenge the myths of scarcity and the fears that divide us. Instead, let us nurture trust, kindness, and generosity as driving forces of development. By understanding that “what others achieve is not taken away from us” but rather adds to our collective richness, we pave the way for a historic turning point. Reducing inequality is ultimately about recognizing our common humanity: when any person suffers exclusion or injustice, we are all diminished, but when any person is empowered to flourish, we are all enhanced.
In the spirit of Shared Prosperity & Social Justice, let us set bold goals and take bold actions. By fostering policies of redistribution and inclusion and anchoring them in an abundance mindset, we can transform the fabric of society. With every step that narrows a divide – be it providing a quality education to a disadvantaged child, or securing fair wages for workers, or bridging the digital gap between nations – we move closer to the happier world we know is possible. Our Foundation sees the reduction of inequality not as a distant utopia, but as a practical path to “10 billion free, conscious and happy people by 2050”. Each life lifted out of poverty or prejudice is a step toward that vision. Each policy that levels the playing field is a building block of peace.
In conclusion, SDG 10 embodies a profound truth: our well-being is interdependent. When others prosper, it truly enhances our collective well-being. Let us act on that truth. By embracing abundance and happytalism, and by heeding the wisdom of international partners, we can create a future where inequality is no longer the norm – a future of shared prosperity, social justice, and lasting happiness for all.
Sources: The ideas and evidence in this report draw on the World Happiness Foundation’s publications and statements, as well as insights from leading international institutions. Key references include: the WHF’s “Beyond Scarcity: Embracing Happytalism for a World of Abundance” framework, the WHF position paper on poverty and abundance, United Nations analyses of global inequality and social cohesion, World Bank definitions of shared prosperity, and IMF findings on inclusive growth, among others. These sources reinforce a shared conclusion: equity and happiness must advance together on the road to 2030 and beyond.
More Sources:
The Nature of the Soul and the Divine Self At
After lighting up Buenos Aires with the World Happiness Fest
Executive Summary The Doha Political Declaration adopted at the 2025