Reflections on Nationalism — Part 1

(This series is based on my study and contemplation on ‘Nationalism’ by Rabindranath Tagore, and allied content, in the context of India and the world circa 2020.)

Nature’s boundaries (such as the banks of a river — where the river ends and land begins) seem to emerge from a space of deeply intelligent design; they sustain life. When a planet stays on its predetermined orbit around a star and doesn’t stray, it maintains a natural boundary. When animals in the jungle do not attack each other at a watering hole, they maintain a natural boundary.

Cultural boundaries, including our borders, seem to emanate from our unprocessed emotions. These borders hold our collective hurt, that which we fear and refuse to heal or engage with.

Perhaps nature has boundaries, culture created borders. When we do not manage personal boundaries and uphold the sovereignty of ourselves and others, we project that conflict out into the borders…

#RukminiIyer #Nationalism