Abstract
Health is a dynamic self-regulating process in a living system that is interrelated with its greater ever-changing environment and ecology in which it depends. Physical and mental health of an individual closely correlates with that of its society and ecology. This subtle and complex interconnection has been discovered and articulated in modern science. According to the ecological worldview and deep ecology, to heal ourselves is to heal our relationship with the earth. Our modern human culture is now facing a survival challenge, amidst the postmodern absence of absolute ideology and value system, to come to terms with the realization that we are parts of the whole, and the whole is within us. Without changing in our perception we have towards life and nature, our behaviors will remain unchanged, unhealthy and worsen the condition of this living planet, which in tern will have much greater effects on human health. However, in Thai society as well as in other countries, there have been emerging social and ecological movements that try to cope with this modern sickness from different perspectives and historical backgrounds. This study is to explore the philosophy and practices of deep ecology movement that can contribute to the paradigm change in the way we think about and relate ourselves to the issues of health. We hope that some insights and realizations gained from this research can be of useful and inspiring enough for readers to critically and thoroughly reexamine the way we live our lives as well as and the socio-economical structure and conditions we maintain that shape our present health condition. The local traditional wisdom obtained on a practical basis showed in this study have affirmed that ecological worldview is nothing new but have already been existed and available in its own unique cultural and ecological context. To recognize such endangered local knowledge as invaluable and relevant to our modern needs is the beginning of the healing process towards the restoration of the wholeness and health of this living planet and her members.
