Freeconomy Blog
Wed
16 Jan
No. 1 - Mohandas K. Gandhi
| 10 comments |
A pivotal point in my life came when I was midway through my fourth year of a business degree. After looking over some notes on marketing and economics, I decided to take an undeserved break and to watch a movie for the night.
So I went up to our local video store and came across a movie which was on sale, one which had received nine oscars at a time when films didn't get nine oscars, about a guy called Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
The following three hours of this epic film changed the course of my life, though in hindsight it barely touched on his - no movie could. I cried, a number of times, and I 'never' cried at movies, it wasn't de rigueur back then. Next day I skipped class and ran out to buy a book on him, and I suppose my life since then has been an attempt to learn more about myself and how I can apply those principles he lived and died for into my own life on an 'everymoment' basis.
So what did he stand for? The Mahatma has said himself that he brought nothing new into the world, and that none of his ideas were 'his own'. Only the 'practice' of them was new. Gandhi first practiced what was first badly named as passive resistance, but what later became known as satyagraha in South Africa. Satyagraha translates directly as 'truth-firmness' but is more aptly described as 'love-force'. It was the success of this method of standing up for what you believe in without even thinking badly of your 'opponent', let alone physically injuring him, which brought the future Mahatma to prominence and he then returned to India, the land of non-violence, a true hero.
What happened in India over the next forty years was an answer to humankinds perpetual state of war after war after war. Three hundred million Indians choose Satyagraha over violence in their pursuit of independence. Not only did they gain it, the British left as friends, not enemies. World peace will only come after we wipe anger and hatred and violence from our own hearts, and replace them with love, respect and ahimsa.
I could spend a year writing about what Gandhi means to me and about how he showed us the ultimate solution to all of the negative manifestations of this world. And I emphasise the word 'showed' - he didn't tell us, he showed us. But thats not the point of this, it has all been written before. All I want to do is bring the man to your attention at a time when his message and life is more relevant than ever.
My pilgrimage starts on the 60th anniversary of his assassination to symbolise the assassination of community I now see by our governments, the corporations and most importantly our own fear. It ends at the place of his birth to symbolise what I hope is my contribution to the rebirth of everything he stood for.
When someone asks me what motivates me to walk to India without money, I simply say Gandhi. To live for anything less than his ideals would be, to me, to strive for something less than my truth and I cannot do that anymore.
I do not walk alone. I carry His message in my heart and soul and when times are hard I'll remember the infinitely greater sacrifices the 'Great Soul' made not just humanity, but for every creature that dwelt upon the soil he so loved.
I ask everyone to honour him in some way on the 30th January 2008. If you are interested in doing something special email me at saoirse@justfortheloveofit.org.
The latest edition of Resurgence magazine is dedicated to the man. I really recommend it and it provides a link to the next person in the 'Top 10 people who changed my life', Satish Kumar.
Comment on this Post:
Judy comments ...
I am an old nurse and having experience with sore tired feet I am seriously wishing your feet good health. Look after them, massage them and rest them. Good luck with your travels. what a wonderful thing you are doing. I very much admire you and your ideals. I too will hire Ghandi to watch and learn from. What an exciting time you will have. Don’t forget if you are cold, put newspaper or cardboard or plastic under your shirt front and back to keep body warmth in and cold out. You can use a large plastic garbage bag with holes ripped in for your head and arms to keep out rain. If you are too hot, drink fluids and wear loose weave cotton clothing and hat. Wishing you a wonderful adventure. Kindest regards Judy
Ankur Patel comments ...
This is going to be real challenge for you...a tough one. Very inspiring. Without Money....its unimaginable. Indian weather is very tough and traveling in India on foot isn’t easy. With warm summer, lots of dust in air and roads are terrible. Eating everyday outside in India is also not very healthy. You better knock someone house door for food then eating everyday outside. I am sure you will have to go through very rough time However, once you reach at your destination you will feel like a life long satisfaction. I would like to suggest to stay positive even in tough time. I think your journey will be very pleasant and enjoyable. If you can, update this website along with your journey. I wish you good luck.
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