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Flourishing Kin: Indigenous Wisdom for Collective Well-Being
A first-of-its-kind book that updates the Western paradigm of mental wellness with Indigenous wisdom for collective, sustainable happiness
How do we cultivate happiness? When facing the monumental challenges of our world, it can feel natural to tune out the bad news and focus on our mental health. Yet Dr. Yuria Celidwen teaches that attending only to our own state of mind is precisely why so many of us struggle to be happy. “What’s been overlooked is the Indigenous perspective,” she says. “It is the understanding that individual happiness is not enough—we must expand our view to include our kinship with others, from our neighbors to the living Earth.” While recognizing the gains made by Western positive psychology, mindfulness, and neuroscience, Dr. Celidwen’s research shows the tremendous benefit of integrating Indigenous approaches into our approach to well-being. In Flourishing Kin, she identifies seven key principles found in Indigenous cultures worldwide that embrace virtue, ethical living, and spirituality. Each principle reveals how we can overcome isolation and despair, nourish healthy relationships with our communities and environment, and build strong foundations of well-being that elevate our life choices.
Sustainable happiness goes beyond optimism or resilience. Dr. Celidwen invites us to experience a path to fulfillment that allows us to meet the world in all its complexity and imperfection with love, hope, and joyous participation in the flourishing of all living beings.
How do we cultivate happiness? When facing the monumental challenges of our world, it can feel natural to tune out the bad news and focus on our mental health. Yet Dr. Yuria Celidwen teaches that attending only to our own state of mind is precisely why so many of us struggle to be happy. “What’s been overlooked is the Indigenous perspective,” she says. “It is the understanding that individual happiness is not enough—we must expand our view to include our kinship with others, from our neighbors to the living Earth.” While recognizing the gains made by Western positive psychology, mindfulness, and neuroscience, Dr. Celidwen’s research shows the tremendous benefit of integrating Indigenous approaches into our approach to well-being. In Flourishing Kin, she identifies seven key principles found in Indigenous cultures worldwide that embrace virtue, ethical living, and spirituality. Each principle reveals how we can overcome isolation and despair, nourish healthy relationships with our communities and environment, and build strong foundations of well-being that elevate our life choices.
Sustainable happiness goes beyond optimism or resilience. Dr. Celidwen invites us to experience a path to fulfillment that allows us to meet the world in all its complexity and imperfection with love, hope, and joyous participation in the flourishing of all living beings.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2024
35 people are currently reading
1530 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 4, 2024
There is no human flourishing without Mother Earth flourishing first.
a challenging read, celidwen examines how we must turn from individualism to collective flourishing; that without taking care of ourselves and the earth and everything inbetween, it will be to our detriment.
also provides lots of references and resources, i will definitely be looking at in the future and utilizing the practices!
my only note is that since it's written at a near academic level it might not be for everyone, but worth giving a try if this activism interests you.
a challenging read, celidwen examines how we must turn from individualism to collective flourishing; that without taking care of ourselves and the earth and everything inbetween, it will be to our detriment.
also provides lots of references and resources, i will definitely be looking at in the future and utilizing the practices!
my only note is that since it's written at a near academic level it might not be for everyone, but worth giving a try if this activism interests you.
November 9, 2025
(Read for Indigenous American Heritage Month 2025)
I had been recommended Dr Yuria Celidwen’s “Flourishing Kin” as it examines how to combine Western mindfulness and mental health practices with Indigenous approaches to mental and spiritual wellbeing. As someone that has the semi-regular Climate Anxiety/Dread I could get behind the book’s mission. Reading it I did appreciate how Celidwen approaches the topic, laying out how Western values and approaches dominated mental health (as well as almost all other aspects of human life) and how to change the approach by accepting Indigenous cultural values from around the world. The exercises provided were helpful.
That said I did find big parts of the book to be dry and not an easy read. It felt less like a book accessible to large groups of environmentally-curious readers and more like a PHD dissertation for specialists and/or a textbook for grad students. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, it just makes it more than a little difficult to get through as light reading.
“Flourishing Kin” has some very useful lessons and it's an important read even if it didn’t quite feel like an easy read for me.
I had been recommended Dr Yuria Celidwen’s “Flourishing Kin” as it examines how to combine Western mindfulness and mental health practices with Indigenous approaches to mental and spiritual wellbeing. As someone that has the semi-regular Climate Anxiety/Dread I could get behind the book’s mission. Reading it I did appreciate how Celidwen approaches the topic, laying out how Western values and approaches dominated mental health (as well as almost all other aspects of human life) and how to change the approach by accepting Indigenous cultural values from around the world. The exercises provided were helpful.
That said I did find big parts of the book to be dry and not an easy read. It felt less like a book accessible to large groups of environmentally-curious readers and more like a PHD dissertation for specialists and/or a textbook for grad students. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, it just makes it more than a little difficult to get through as light reading.
“Flourishing Kin” has some very useful lessons and it's an important read even if it didn’t quite feel like an easy read for me.
December 21, 2024
“Individual happiness is not enough. We must expand our view to include kinship with others, from our neighbors to the living Earth.”
SAY THAT! Mic drop! This is the first time I’m hearing a counter argument to the Westernized, individualistic ideologies of mindfulness/self care/reflection. Celidwan unpacks how meditative practices derived from Buddhism and Hinduism have been co-opted by the Western, educated, rich class and has spawned a self-centered, isolated movement of “mindfulness” — when the world needs kinship, collective action, community more than ever.
Drawing from her Indigenous heritage of Nahua and Mayan practices of well being, as well as her expansive knowledge in the fields of Indigenous Studies, psychology, and contemplative studies, Celidwan explores how contemplation and meditation is both a personal AND collective spiritual experience. She challenges the reader to use reflective practices to not solely center yourself but to seek out truth, connection, and action to the greater world around you.
Also touching on environmental action, as it should be tied to Indigenous stewardship, as well as leading readers through meditative practices, Celidwan covers a lot of ground in this book. I’m glad I listened to her reading of the audio book, but I might want to own a print copy to reference back.
Super academic. Had to be in the right mood. Great and revolutionary.
SAY THAT! Mic drop! This is the first time I’m hearing a counter argument to the Westernized, individualistic ideologies of mindfulness/self care/reflection. Celidwan unpacks how meditative practices derived from Buddhism and Hinduism have been co-opted by the Western, educated, rich class and has spawned a self-centered, isolated movement of “mindfulness” — when the world needs kinship, collective action, community more than ever.
Drawing from her Indigenous heritage of Nahua and Mayan practices of well being, as well as her expansive knowledge in the fields of Indigenous Studies, psychology, and contemplative studies, Celidwan explores how contemplation and meditation is both a personal AND collective spiritual experience. She challenges the reader to use reflective practices to not solely center yourself but to seek out truth, connection, and action to the greater world around you.
Also touching on environmental action, as it should be tied to Indigenous stewardship, as well as leading readers through meditative practices, Celidwan covers a lot of ground in this book. I’m glad I listened to her reading of the audio book, but I might want to own a print copy to reference back.
Super academic. Had to be in the right mood. Great and revolutionary.
November 17, 2024
In Flourishing Kin: Indigenous Wisdom for Collective Well-Being, Dr. Yuria Celidwen presents a profound and timely reimagining of mental wellness, integrating Indigenous wisdom into the modern conversation on flourishing. Through seven core principles rooted in Indigenous worldviews, the book calls for a shift away from the individualistic, often commodified focus of Western mental health paradigms. Instead, Dr. Celidwen emphasizes collective well-being, interdependence, and spiritual connection, challenging readers to embrace an "eco-identity" over the Western ego-centered approach.
Dr. Celidwen’s deep dive into Indigenous cosmovisions is illuminating. The text is rich with academic rigor, making it feel at times like a dissertation. However, the scholarly tone is balanced by the inclusion of meditative practices and reflective prompts that invite readers into a shared experience of introspection and ecological kinship. These exercises help bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering a way for readers to embody the teachings rather than merely intellectualize them.
I appreciated the book’s critique of the Western mindfulness movement. Dr. Celidwen skillfully articulates how contemporary contemplative sciences have become insular, serving primarily privileged, Western audiences while neglecting the ethical, relational foundations of the traditions they borrow from. This disconnect, she argues, perpetuates cognitive imperialism and fails to acknowledge the ongoing harm caused by colonial systems. Her call for decolonizing methodologies in both academia and contemplative practices is a powerful reminder of the value and validity of diverse ways of knowing.
The concept of collective flourishing, central to Indigenous approaches, offers a compelling alternative to the Western pursuit of individual happiness. By highlighting the importance of relationships—both human and ecological—Dr. Celidwen extends the definition of well-being beyond personal satisfaction to include a deep reverence for nature and communal responsibility. Her reflections on compassion, not as a hierarchical benefactor-beneficiary model but as a reciprocal, transformative act, stand out as a particularly resonant message in these divisive times.
While Flourishing Kin is an enlightening read, its academic prose may present a challenge for readers seeking a more accessible narrative. Yet, for those willing to engage with its depth, the book offers a transformative vision of well-being that is both grounded in ancient wisdom and urgently relevant to contemporary challenges. The text is an invitation to participate in the co-creation of a new story—one of reciprocity, ecological stewardship, and shared flourishing.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Dr. Celidwen’s deep dive into Indigenous cosmovisions is illuminating. The text is rich with academic rigor, making it feel at times like a dissertation. However, the scholarly tone is balanced by the inclusion of meditative practices and reflective prompts that invite readers into a shared experience of introspection and ecological kinship. These exercises help bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering a way for readers to embody the teachings rather than merely intellectualize them.
I appreciated the book’s critique of the Western mindfulness movement. Dr. Celidwen skillfully articulates how contemporary contemplative sciences have become insular, serving primarily privileged, Western audiences while neglecting the ethical, relational foundations of the traditions they borrow from. This disconnect, she argues, perpetuates cognitive imperialism and fails to acknowledge the ongoing harm caused by colonial systems. Her call for decolonizing methodologies in both academia and contemplative practices is a powerful reminder of the value and validity of diverse ways of knowing.
The concept of collective flourishing, central to Indigenous approaches, offers a compelling alternative to the Western pursuit of individual happiness. By highlighting the importance of relationships—both human and ecological—Dr. Celidwen extends the definition of well-being beyond personal satisfaction to include a deep reverence for nature and communal responsibility. Her reflections on compassion, not as a hierarchical benefactor-beneficiary model but as a reciprocal, transformative act, stand out as a particularly resonant message in these divisive times.
While Flourishing Kin is an enlightening read, its academic prose may present a challenge for readers seeking a more accessible narrative. Yet, for those willing to engage with its depth, the book offers a transformative vision of well-being that is both grounded in ancient wisdom and urgently relevant to contemporary challenges. The text is an invitation to participate in the co-creation of a new story—one of reciprocity, ecological stewardship, and shared flourishing.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 30, 2024
From Indigenous scholar Yuria Celidwen comes a first-of-its-kind book about our aspiration for sustainable, collective flourishing through Indigenous wisdom, traditions, and practices that bridge Indigenous and Western knowledges and ways.
How do we cultivate happiness? When facing the monumental challenges of our world, we often end up disconnecting in order to focus on our mental health. Dr. Yuria Celidwen explains this focus on our own state of mind alone is precisely why so many of us struggle to flourish. “What’s been overlooked is the Indigenous perspective of relationality,” she says. “It is the understanding that happiness is only possible in community, when we cultivate our relationships toward all kin, from human to more-than-human, and to our living Earth.”
Dr. Celidwen’s research shows the tremendous benefit of integrating Indigenous approaches into our approach to well-being, while recognizing the gains made by Western positive psychology, mindfulness, and neuroscience. In Flourishing Kin, she identifies seven key principles found in Indigenous cultures worldwide that embrace virtue, ethical living, and spirituality. Each principle—Kin Relationality, Body Seed, Senshine, Heartfelt Wisdom, Ecological Belonging, Collective Well-Being, and Reemergence—is a seed to flourishing kin, and reveals how we can overcome isolation and climate anxiety, nourish healthy relationships with our communities and environment, and build strong foundations of well-being that elevate our life choices for the benefit of our whole planet.
Sustainable collective flourishing goes beyond optimism or resilience. Offering opportunities for exploration, reflection, and personalized insight, here you’ll find shared storytelling, cultural tradition, and other forms of enhanced contemplative practice like ritual, music, movement, and art to support your journey. Through poetic expression and authentic truth telling, Dr. Celidwen invites us to experience a path to fulfillment that allows us to meet the world in all its complexity with reverence and joyous commitment to participate in the flourishing of all living beings.
IIt is no exaggeration to state that this work profoundly touched me. For those seeking insight into thriving both individually and within a community, this book is a must-read. Approach it with an open heart and embrace the scholarship and knowledge it imparts. I would suggest it for DEI practitioners, scholars of Indigenous cultures, mindfulness practitioners, among others.
How do we cultivate happiness? When facing the monumental challenges of our world, we often end up disconnecting in order to focus on our mental health. Dr. Yuria Celidwen explains this focus on our own state of mind alone is precisely why so many of us struggle to flourish. “What’s been overlooked is the Indigenous perspective of relationality,” she says. “It is the understanding that happiness is only possible in community, when we cultivate our relationships toward all kin, from human to more-than-human, and to our living Earth.”
Dr. Celidwen’s research shows the tremendous benefit of integrating Indigenous approaches into our approach to well-being, while recognizing the gains made by Western positive psychology, mindfulness, and neuroscience. In Flourishing Kin, she identifies seven key principles found in Indigenous cultures worldwide that embrace virtue, ethical living, and spirituality. Each principle—Kin Relationality, Body Seed, Senshine, Heartfelt Wisdom, Ecological Belonging, Collective Well-Being, and Reemergence—is a seed to flourishing kin, and reveals how we can overcome isolation and climate anxiety, nourish healthy relationships with our communities and environment, and build strong foundations of well-being that elevate our life choices for the benefit of our whole planet.
Sustainable collective flourishing goes beyond optimism or resilience. Offering opportunities for exploration, reflection, and personalized insight, here you’ll find shared storytelling, cultural tradition, and other forms of enhanced contemplative practice like ritual, music, movement, and art to support your journey. Through poetic expression and authentic truth telling, Dr. Celidwen invites us to experience a path to fulfillment that allows us to meet the world in all its complexity with reverence and joyous commitment to participate in the flourishing of all living beings.
IIt is no exaggeration to state that this work profoundly touched me. For those seeking insight into thriving both individually and within a community, this book is a must-read. Approach it with an open heart and embrace the scholarship and knowledge it imparts. I would suggest it for DEI practitioners, scholars of Indigenous cultures, mindfulness practitioners, among others.
February 4, 2025
This book should be recommended reading for everyone. It was a wonderful blend of science, wisdom, and practical advice. One of my favorite parts of this book is the ‘practice’ sections at the end of each chapter. It’s one thing to explain these wisdoms and lessons, but it’s another to let the reader apply the wisdom being taught. That’s what sets this book apart from the rest.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Netgalley and Sounds True Publishing for sending me this ebook for review consideration.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Netgalley and Sounds True Publishing for sending me this ebook for review consideration.
January 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I did not read anything about this book prior to starting it. That being said, I was not aware there were “practices” to complete, and was not really in the headspace to complete them so I feel as though I missed out on a lot of the book. It was well written, but a little too scholarly for me. It almost reads more like a text book.
March 26, 2025
I really liked the concept of this book; I enjoyed the exercises; and I liked having a new lens through which to see things. The part near the end about the Western appropriation of indigenous medicine, such as psychedelics, was particularly moving for me.
September 7, 2025
A look at moving from western individualism to sustainable collectivism, and the legacy of colonialism. Recommended, for sure.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews