Gandhi on the Salt Satyagraha – By Yann (talk) – Scanned by Yann (talk), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=138627
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year to each of you from OHI and Four Winds Journal!
Ever since this past summer, we’ve been discussing themes for Four Winds Journal’s next issue. As you know, we aim to provide articles and artwork that are relevant to what’s going on in the world.
Originally we thought it was time to share the views of the young people who will inherit this chaos. Then the issues facing our unhoused community members took precedence. After that, participation in the groundswell of resistance to the current administration’s political maneuvers seemed uppermost in people’s minds.
Given the current political climate, we agreed that the most important issue now is how to survive—even thrive—despite duress, whether personal or political. Resilience is key to surviving any challenge. So we asked each other, “How do you manage to carry on? What gets you out of bed each morning? What brings you joy?” The answer across the board was “being creative.” Since creativity—the ability to adapt and respond to change—is not dependent on peace, or limited to any particular artform, we conceived the idea of a Creative Convergence—a gathering of creative individuals from various professions, here in Santa Fe next Fall, to uplift us all.
We decided then that the theme for FWJ Winter 2026 would be resilience—the choice to live fully despite opposition, discouragement, or challenging times. According to 17th-century English poet George Herbert, “Living well is the best revenge.” Resilience ( a basic tool for living well), therefore, could be both “revenge” and resistance.
One may recall Attenborough’s film, “Gandhi.” One scene perfectly exemplifies passive resistance. The British had monopolized salt, a necessary ingredient of Indian food, and created a Salt Law severely taxing its use by Indians. But Gandhi, determined to overcome Britain’s stranglehold on India through peaceful protest, mustered his followers to walk to the sea at Dandi, over 240 miles from his ashram. The 78 men and women who initially began the Salt March (also called the Salt Satyagraha) were soon joined by many others along the way. The marchers were opposed by the British at every turn, beaten and severely wounded—yet their women patched up the wounds and they kept going along the coast, teaching villagers how to dry and gather the precious mineral. This non-violent action so captivated the world’s interest and empathy that the British eventually had to admit defeat and Gandhi secured Indian independence from British rule.
In the spirit of Gandhi and of peaceful resistance, we invite you to share your own method of restoration and rejuvenation in our next issue. As Margaret Mead so wisely said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.“
Submission Deadline: February 7, 2026
Please read our Submission Guidelines before sending your submission to
Editors – FWJ Winter 2026: Resilience