(from India) Swaraj <swah-rahj> has two literal meanings: ‘self-rule’ and ‘rule-over-the-self’. Self is understood in a holistic sense, as an intricate web of links, between the individual, family, community and cosmos. It is a reflective and active Self, whose potential is infinite and whose commitment is to justice, balance, meaning and wholeness. Swaraj is a state of being and relating in which the Self is free in a spirit of love and, at the same time, intimately and organically connected to all Life.

(from East Africa) Kuumba <koom-bah> is creativity in community. Each of us is asked to do as much as we can, in the ways we can, given our unique gifts, talents and strengths. We are given the responsibility of leaving our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.