RECLAIMING THE HUMANISTIC VALUES OF KASHMIR

- Arun Wakhlu

Context:
The State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is one of the most beautiful and abundantly endowed places
on earth. The people of J&K are extremely gracious, compassionate, hospitable and loving. They are
also intrinsically peace loving and non-violent. Despite the recent troubles, most people yearn for
peace and prosperity. There is a deep yearning for reclaiming the values of Kashmiriyat/Humanism
for restoring the state to its pristine glory.

The glory of Jammu and Kashmir is currently overshadowed. To use a metaphor, we visualize all the
qualities that Kashmir stands for as the sun. Currently, this sun of ease, grace, abundance and
immense natural beauty has been overshadowed by the clouds of corruption, apathy, depression,
drug addiction and a widespread feeling of helplessness and hopelessness amongst the adult
population. Despite the turmoil, it is a joy to see the innocent smiles and cheerfulness of most
children. The enthusiasm and liveliness of children perhaps points to possible pathways to healing
Kashmir.

Humanism
Before we discuss how to reclaim the humanistic values of Kashmir, let’s spend a few moments of
what Humanism is.

Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human
beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical
thinking and evidence (rationalism and empiricism) over acceptance of dogma or superstition.

In modern times, humanist movements were typically non-religious movements aligned

with secularism. Today, humanism typically refers to a nontheistic life stance centred on human
agency and looking to science rather than revelation from a supernatural source to understand the
world. Humanism aims at free inquiry, separation of religion and state, the ideal of freedom, ethics
based on critical intelligence, religious scepticism, the use of reason, science and technology for
evolution and education.
In the pursuit of this kind of lop sided humanism, there is the danger of denying the emotional and
spiritual core of life. How would humanists describe the beauty of a rose? How would they create the
fragrance and silence of a pine forest, or the miraculous process that makes a flower bloom?

In missing these elements out, Humanism does not seem to recognise the one life force that unifies
everyone and everything in sacred wholeness. Our current obsession with secularism seems to have
only led to a jousting and uneasy truce between different religions. This is hardly conducive to a stable
and thriving harmony. There is a need for a fresh perspective.

All religions can be seen like windows in a house opening out onto the same sky. This is the common
sky of unity, freedom, integrity, compassion, gratitude, service, love, appreciation, peace and the
wellbeing of all. It is only when our humanism recognises and owns the transcendental unity of a
spiritual perspective that it can become a force of healing and glorious thriving. When the people of
Kashmir begin to live out these values of spiritual humanism, Kashmir can reclaim its lost glory.
Another name for Spiritual Humanism is Kashmiriyat. It is our firm belief that in reclaiming our
spiritual humanism / Kashmiriyat, Jammu and Kashmir can once again become a light house for the
whole world.
What’s happening in Kashmir?
Before we look at how Kashmiriyat can be reclaimed, let’s see what is actually happening on the
ground (as in 2018). What I will share below is based on over 30 years of observation of the situation.
It draws upon detailed conversations with a whole cross-section of people: common men and women,
children, shopkeepers, taxi drivers, auto-rickshaw drivers, shikara boatmen, students, activists in
NGOs, people in Pakistan, former militants, politicians, police constables and current and former
ministers.

Here are some insights gleaned from the above conversations: There is a strong yearning in the people
of Kashmir for freedom. They want the freedom to speak up freely with total safety and security, to
tell the truth as it is, to walk freely without being harassed and seen as a terrorist. They want the
freedom to be treated with dignity and not to be lumped together with troublemakers, the freedom
to receive excellent, responsible and ethical governance.
They want the freedom to express themselves aesthetically and artistically, to wear what they like
without anyone coercing them to wear something else, the freedom to pursue studies peacefully, the
freedom to think rationally without being brainwashed, the freedom to debate and dialogue on
contentious issues (like why men also should not wear the Hijab or equivalent for the very reasons
that women are asked to wear them) and the freedom to keep shops open and earn a decent
livelihood. They crave for the freedom from stink and garbage in the streets, freedom from drugs
being plied to unwitting youth and the freedom to get good health care without paying through the
nose. This is the real Azadi that people are really looking for.

It is clear that the turmoil in Kashmir has its roots in the absence of ethical and compassionate thinking
and action amongst a large majority of the populations including those who govern the state. A
culture of corruption, selfishness and half-truths abound. This is made worse by the absence of
democratic spaces for open, heartfelt and honest conversations which could mitigate the falsehoods
and lies that have infiltrated the minds of many people.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn has remarked that all violence is born from untruths and lies. He also said of
violence:
“Violence, less and less embarrassed by the limits imposed by centuries of lawfulness, is brazenly and
victoriously striding across the whole world, unconcerned that its infertility has been demonstrated
and proved many times in history.”
Lies, doctored news, rumours, brainwashing and deliberately planted distortions feed into a growing
vicious circle of violence. Virulent distortions and propaganda feed into inflaming passions, the spilling
out of children, women and youth onto the streets, protection of criminals from the army, death of
innocent people in cross-fire, more hartals (forced shutdowns of business) and emotionally charged
funerals, more rage, more loss of business, and growing hatred. The vicious circle of lies, violence and
suffering continues in this way.

Adding to this tragic drama is the negative role of the media. An appreciative look at Jammu and
Kashmir shows that many good things are happening in the state. In two workshops on "Collaborating
for Compassion" facilitated for hundred Leaders, Educators, NGO Activists, Students, Teachers, Media
People and Govt. Officials in Srinagar on the 5th and 6th of October 2018, we found a huge out pouring
of appreciation and gratitude. All felt that the People of Jammu and Kashmir are kind, generous,
talented, creative, hospitable, spiritual, loving and intrinsically compassionate. Seeing Jammu and
Kashmir with eyes of Appreciation and Gratitude, we were all overwhelmed by how much the
Almighty has bestowed on the state. I have met many tourists travelling to J&K who come back
extremely happy and surprised to find that things are different from what the media focusses on. The
media often revels in pointing their camera on “what is going wrong in the valley”. Fake NGOs and
manipulative politicians add to this situation by selective reporting and distortions. The National
Media sees only the dark side of what is happening in Kashmir - thanks to the focus of media channels
on the sensational and negative. The impression gained in the rest of the world is the untruth
that “Kashmir is burning”. This suits all those who would like to see the violence and corruption
continuing. Manipulating negative and powerless people who have lost a sense of hope, pride and
dignity is easy. That’s why all manipulators and vested interests would like to see people cut off from
the roots of Positivity and Hope.

The illusion of powerlessness is another strong unconscious conditioning. While there has been
widespread suffering all around, a large part of the population in Kashmir is caught up in blaming and
whining. This is the classic “victim stance” based on the narrative that it is the “others” who are doing
things to us. By the same token it is always someone else who has to save us.

While there has been immense suffering on all side, holding onto a Victim Mindset, and holding onto
hatred and resentment is like nursing a burning piece of coal in your hands so that you can throw it
on the “enemy”. The levels of depression, psychosomatic disorders and stress related diseases have
shot up in the past 30 years. And all that most leaders are doing is blaming someone!
Take a look at the table below. It looks at two dimensions of action (Passive and Active) and two of
thinking (Positive and Negative). The four combinations that arise are 1) Passive Positive, 2) Active
Positive, 3) Passive Negative and 4) Active Negative. If the whole population of J&K is divided into
these four quadrants, we will find that the active negative elements are miniscule. (Probably 1-2%).
The problem is that around 85% of the population is well meaning but Passive. Which quadrant would
you put yourself in?

Passive Active
Inertia, No Action Taking Joyful Action Now

Good, Well-meaning people, Compassionate and Active

Positive who don’t do anything. people who collaborate and act
to make a difference.
(Life affirming
Compassionate)
1 2
Blaming, Moaning and Wailing A small percentage of active evil
people caught up in doers: selfish people who are
Negative hopelessness and helplessness. out of touch with their own
goodness, the wellbeing of
(Life destroying
others and with Life as a whole.
Violent)

3 4
In exactly the same way, between India and Pakistan - it is only a small percentage of people that are
perpetuating the hatred and violence. From personal experience and based on may conversations, I
can confidently say that the majority of the populations on both sides would like Peace and Security
for their children and friendship between the two nations. Again the reason why nothing is happening
is because 85% of the well-meaning population on both sides is passive and not taking any positive
actions.
What steps can we take to reclaim our lost glory?
It is now time for the People of Jammu and Kashmir to rise together to end the years of tragic suffering
and reclaim our Joy, Peace and Abundance. For this we will need to be guided by the values of Spiritual
Humanism/Kashmiriyat which is our greatest strength.

Below, a few steps have been listed which point towards how we can reclaim the glory that is Kashmir:

Awakening to Oneness:

A tiny light, when switched on, can dispel years of darkness in a room. Our limited minds, caught up
with the past and worried about the future, have not been able to give us any fresh new ideas when
it comes to healing Kashmir. The creative impulses of the Almighty can, however, show the way,
provided we listen! When we listen to the Guidance of Love, Compassion, Allah, Shiva, our Inner
Voice, in the silence of our Hearts, we will be guided on the right path. We will know what is good for
us, good for others and also good for the future of our children and grandchildren. It is time for us to
all remember what Ma Lalleshwari has said:
Shiv chuy thali thali rozan,
Mo zan Hyond tai Musalman;
Truk ay chuk pan panun prazanav,
Soy chay sahibas zaniy zan.

(Shiv lives everywhere and in everyone;

Drop the illusion of “Hindu” and “Musalman”.
If you are clever, discover who you really are;
That is knowing Shiv intimately as your own Self.)

God is neither Hindu, nor Muslim, nor Jew, nor Buddhist, nor Christian, nor Jain, nor Zoroastrian. The
Infinite, Eternal Spirit of Love defies any classification that man's petty mind can come up with. The
Infinite Silent Witnessing Awareness that created you and me as living, breathing, creative beings that
we are, cannot be reduced to doctrines, dogmas, rituals and ceremonies. We can be guided towards
creative and collaborative action if we listen to the love in our hearts.

The Silent Witnessing Awareness is the same as Shiva, WaheGuru and Allah. There is no difference. It
is who you are now, your innermost I Am (SWA). The funny thing is that you do not have to do anything
to Be it. You already are that Infinite Peace and Love. You just need to remember it (Zikr, Sumiran).
A good way to do that is to be quite and abide in the Silence of your Heart. If you still need a method,
just witness your breath. With the in breath remember So, and the outbreath Hum. Or with the in
breath All, and the out breath Ah. Similarly, you could use the words Je Sus, or Gu Ru. This is the Sahaz
Wath (Effortless Path) of Ma Lalleshwari and Sant Kabir.

Choosing Positive and Creative Action:

Inspired by a remembrance of who we really are, the next step is Creative Action. An ounce of
creative action is better than mountains of rhetoric and blaming. We have to drop the blame game
and act together. It is time for all of us to introspect, see where we have gone wrong, and make
amends. As Ghalib has said very eloquently:

"Umar bhar Ghalib yahi bhool karta raha;

Dhool chehre pe thi, aur aina saaf karta raha"

(My whole life I kept making the same mistake Ghalib,

the dust was on my face and I kept polishing the mirror)

Focusing on inspired and collective action is better than cursing the darkness.

Shikwa-e-zulmat-e-shab se to behtar tha;

Apne hisse ki koi shama jalate jaate
(How much better it would have been if, instead of going on cursing the dark of the evening, we
had lit the candle that was within our hands to light…)

An important area of choice and freedom that we all have is the freedom to choose our thoughts:
Thoughts that bring hope, strength, appreciation, gratitude and a vision of a bright future for all. We
can all choose to acknowledge the past, forgive and forge a new story. If we listen to our heart, we
will know what creative and positive actions to take.

Compassionate Conversations:

There is a dire need for spaces for people to talk to each other freely. When safe spaces for open,
heartfelt conversations are created, and we are free to discuss things that we truly care about, the
collective genius of people for positive cction is liberated . Untruths , based on partially presented
data or biased perspectives are quelled, lies dismantled and the truth of understanding the whole
situation emerges. Spaces for us to listen empathetically to each other, to understand the grief and
impact of violence with compassion, and to set the tone for healing and forgivness between different
communities affected by the turmoil are needed. This is the first step for building trust. Holding on to
hatred, fear, misperceptions and untruths will only aggravate the viscious circles of violence referred
to earlier in this article. It is possible to also hold conversations between the army, police, concerned
citizens and leaders who care about the well-being of all. Again, mutual trust and understanding will
pave the way for positive actions.

Conversational tools and processes like Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology and Word Café
are available to create such space for such compassiponate conversations. Good ledaers/facilitators
would also have to be developed to make this happen.

Collective Leadership

A transformation of the situation will call for Leaders inspired by the Almighty to stand up and make
a difference. These leaders would be the Jugnus (Fireflies who keep their lights shining despite the
surrounding darkness) equipped with a strong faith in God they would be people choosing to walk the
universal path of Syezar, Pazar and Shwojar (Simplicity, Honesty and Purity, as laid out by the sage
Bhagwan Gopinath). They would have compassion for the suffering of people, be skilled in the tools
of Participatory Leadership and collaborate with other Jugnus to take the work of transformation
further.

All Jugnus will need to connect with each other, have heartfelt and open conversations and co-create
ways forward. The ensuing gradual transformation of the situation and healing of the social fabric
affected by the Jugnus can be likened to two metaphors:
1. A little bit of yogurt culture being put into a pot of milk to transform the whole pot into yogurt;
and
2. Imaginal cells in a butterfly who clump together within the caterpillar to slowly
metamorphose it into a butterfly.

Such Jugnus would have to be deeply centred in their inner most essence, have faith in the almighty,
a recent special issue of the travel magazine Condé Nast, focussing on Jammu and Kashmir listed out
many young, educated and talented young people from J&K who are making a positive difference.
These are all examples of Jugnus who can provide the collective leadership we need.

As we become more whole, a natural sense of responsibility born out of compassion and love arises
in us.
As His Holiness the Dalai Lama puts it:

“To meet the challenges of our times, I believe that humanity must develop a greater sense of universal
responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for our own individual self, family or nation, but
for the benefit of all mankind.”

Today all of us are so interdependent, so closely interconnected with each other, that with a sense of
universal responsibility, a feeling of universal brotherhood and sisterhood, and an understanding and
belief that we really are a part of one big human family, we can hope to overcome the downward
spiral – and together take actions to bring about peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.

As more of us awaken to the infinite love and compassion that abounds at our core, we will
consciously choose thoughts, words and action that inspire and initiate positive and creative actions.
Art from the Heart will emerge as a spontaneous expression of our deep longing for peace and true
Azadi. As awakened Jugnus and Artists start connecting, conversing and co-creating, healing and fresh
solutions will emerge from a foundation for free thought and dialogue.

Given the intrinsic goodness of the people of Kashmir, our ingrained values of Kashmiriyat, we can
become a lighthouse for the world.

References
 Bhoomananda Tirtha, Swami, “Quietude of the Mind”
 Tolle, Eckhart; “Power of Now”
 Caddy Eileen; “Opening Doors Within”
 Wakhlu Arun; “Managing from the Heart”
 Wakhlu, Dr. Omkar Nath and Wakhlu, Arun;“One Wholesome World”
 Chodron Pema; "The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times"
 Vivekananda, Swami; “Collected Works”
 Dalai Lama, H.H; Brochure of “Foundation for Universal Responsibility”
 Millman, Dan ; ”Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives”

 Shourie, Arun (Part 1) interview in the Indian Express 4th July 2018 (Part I) ‘All parties have
lost legitimacy, we are farther from recommencing a political process in J&K than in
years before’ https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-unrest-militancy-
mehbooba-mufti-bjp-narendra-modi-hurriyats-5243256/
 Shourie, Arun (Part 2) ‘Focus on what can be done now - to improve governance, the life of people’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/arun-shourie-jammu-and-kashmir-unrest-militancy-
mehbooba-mufti-bjp-narendra-modi-hurriyats-5244931/
About the Author

This article was written by Mr. Arun Wakhlu, Chairman Pragati Foundation. He is the
co-author, along with his father Dr. Omkar Nath Wakhlu, of the book “One Wholesome
World”.

Arun has been active with the development of Educators and Education for the last 25 years. He is
the Co-Founder of the movement Education Today Society Tomorrow (ETST) running successfully for
the past 25 years under the aegis of Initiatives of Change (IofC). He was also the Honararay Course
Director of the Programme of the Govt. of India on Ethics and Values in Public Governence for IAS
Officers (from 2005 to 2012).

A seasoned International facilitator, Arun has taught at IIM Ahmedabad and XLRI, Jamshedpur. Arun
has also initiated and facilitated the Indo-Pakistan People to People Diaglouge for Peace and
Prosperity (August 2001), the All J&K People to People Diaglouge for Peace and Prosperity (February
2002), and Collaborating for Compassion (October 2018).

Arun is also the Founder of Poorna Pune (Compassionate Pune, under the Charter for Compassion) ,
Pragati Leadership Institute and Pragati Foundation.

If you would like to be a part of the movement to heal J&K, drop a line to the author at
arun.wakhlu@pragatileadership.com

Comments are welcome too.