The EofB Scale: An Indigenous Contemplative Measurement

Growing interest in contemplative sciences and their related well-being interventions has underscored the limitations of approaches rooted in individualistic, Western-centric frameworks and highlighted the need for models grounded in relational, nature-based perspectives. Indigenous contemplative sciences are knowledge systems that offer a rich repertoire of spiritual exercises and contemplative practices centered on kin relations, ecological belonging, place-based interconnectedness, reverence for the natural world, and planetary flourishing—principles that align with contemporary movements toward sustainable and inclusive well-being (Celidwen & Keltner, 2023). Despite this relevance, Indigenous contemplative traditions remain underrepresented and mischaracterized in current well-being research, obscuring their transformative potential. The present work introduces the Ethics of Belonging Scale (EofB Scale), designed to assess collective belonging, personality, lifestyle patterns, and relational dispositions aligned with eight dimensions of planetary flourishing derived from Indigenous contemplative principles. The EofB scale serves as a tool to evaluate how practices informed by Indigenous values contribute to enhanced collective self-identity, strengthened communal bonds, and greater environmental concern, while also upholding cultural integrity, ethical disposition, and spiritual acumen.