The politics of 2016 clearly show that 2017 needs to be the year of nonviolent resistance. The people need to be unified in order to build the critical solidarity that will be required.
What does embracing 2017 signify? The word Embrace represents more than just the symbolic act of holding on to a person, an idea or an object. Rather, Embracing, like Hope is not limited to feelings, it welcomes or accepts a choice based on beliefs and conscience. As such, it is an act of spiritual and political consciousness that stems from a praxis of love, understanding, respect and acceptance.
Embracing also implies being one with the vision, enveloped by it. Only when you are able to embrace fully, then the healing can begin, and the pathway to a shared belonging opens. This is consistent with the values of interdependence and interconnectedness that are essential to having a peaceful coexistence.
This process begins with ourselves as individuals. Each of us can enter the process by being mindful, conscious and intentional through reflection which nurtures self-awareness. Through intentional right thinking, right speech, right action and right livelihood, we can become the change we envision. As this internal transformation takes place it naturally extends outwardly into the broader community.
Being intentional and mindful informs the praxis of reflection and action that helps us to grow stronger and confident. The process of mindfulness along with the praxis of reflection and action becomes the foundation for developing critical thinking processes.
Embracing is like a spider’s web. It comprises many strands that weave our future, our past, our present into a social fiber and energy which has the flexibility to redefine and shape right relationships with the other. It grows in response to choices that are made with consciousness to create a shared belonging.
A prophetic imagination is essential for embracing a shared belonging because it is based on a process in which the people tell their own stories, write their own versions in their own ways, and to respond to their genuine needs. This story telling becomes the framework for a shared future; one in which all peoples are fully human, respected, accepted and can live with dignity.
The praxis of embracing naturally evolves as it is based on the idea that the freedom of one is absolutely connected to and dependent on the freedom of the other; because when one is not free, then no one can claim to be free.
In the Naga context Embracing 2017 requires putting into praxis - reflection and action - the inclusive truth, not the exclusive truth. Nagas are challenged to reflect whether we have the will to embrace grace and compassion, whether we are magnanimous in spirit to embracing the principles of inclusive justice – restorative in nature – in order to form right relationships. We need to reflect whether Nagas are steadfast in our commitment to embrace the values of peace such as equality, freedom, fairness, mutual respect and accountability.
Embracing 2017 implies the relational act of social responsibility. It requires an imagination for creating and embracing a shared belongingness because only the people themselves can weave the future of their dreams.
