We live in polarised times. Institutions are breaking and paradigms are being challenged. Life can feel like one big ‘Manthan’ (churn). How do we find our balance and come through this churn of ideas and values?

In this episode, we journey with Rajni Bakshi, a Mumbai-based author, journalist, and activist who has spent three decades chronicling the struggles for more humane and ecologically sound ways of life.
She is the author of:
• Bazaars, Conversations and Freedom
• Trusteeship: Business and Economics for Well-Being
• The Dispute Over Swami Vivekananda's Legacy
Rajni shares insight from Gandhi’s values and concept of Trusteeship, and Vivekananda’s vision, to offer pathways to see the higher nature in ourselves and others as well as evolve our planetary systems away from violence & dominion.
A middle path that transcends the trap of polarized discourse. A process that is fundamentally rooted in each one of us finding that feeling of inner contentment and joy.
Rajni is also the founder and curator of Ahimsa Conversations, a platform for reflections on the possibility of nonviolence and the nature of violence.

In this conversation we talk about

• Gandhi’s vision of Trusteeship (6:45)

• Gandhi’s view on the human condition (14:40)

• Wealth as a commons (25:10)

• Swami Vivekananda & India's Lost Confidence(41:30)

• Reimagining Nonviolence & Power – Can we shift our understanding of power beyond domination? (50:40)

• Activism without anger (61:31)

📚 References & Mentions in the Conversation Books & Thinkers:
• David Korten – When Corporations Rule the World
• Carl Polanyi – The Great Transformation
• Frederick Hayek – The Road to Serfdom
• Tim Berners-Lee – The original vision of the World Wide Web
• Eric S. Raymond – The Cathedral and the Bazaar
🔗 Connect with Rajni Bakshi:
• Ahimsa Conversations: YouTube Channel
• Books: Trusteeship: Business and Economics for Well-Being
🎧 Connect with Light Forest:
• Twitter: Light Forest & @devlewis18 • Instagram: @lightforestworld & @daiyisi 🎶
The music for this episode was produced by me using Bandlab and original recordings with my handpan