ABSTRACT
Identity is a multi-dimensional journey in self, culture, society and the world. Identity refers to the dynamic relationship between self and non-self, self and no-self, other within self, self within other and many related fields of existence, reality, realizations, aspirations and transformations. Identity has a dimension of identity as well as non-identity, fixity as well as non-determination. Identity can be positioned or positional or it can be a critical and creative movement across positions embodying transpositional border-crossing. Identity can be part of an existing hermeneutics of self echoing a fixed grammar and interpretation of texts, traditions or state or it can be part of a new hermeneutics of self. As a fixed hermeneutics of self and as defenders of existing identitarian positions emerging, for example, from one's position in privileged hierarchies of class, caste, gender, race, religion and ethnicity identity can be entangled in violence. But identity and violence are not only our fate; we can also realize the link between identity and non-violence, identity and ahimsa. This chapter explores a new vision and practice of identity by cultivating links between identity and non-violence in the midst of prevalent discourses and practices of identity and violence. As part of this, the present essay explores a new vision and transpositional movements and multi-topial hermeneutics which help us move across positions and realize a new hermeneutics, politics and spirituality of self, culture, state and society which helps us realize our journey with identities as a journey of ahimsa.
