A 'No' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.
Mohandas Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi’s 5 Teachings To Bring About World Peace

Editor’s note: This post was written by Shilpan Patel of the Success Soul blog.

Have you ever dreamed about a joyful world with peace and prosperity for all Mankind – a world in which we respect and love each other despite the differences in our culture, religion and way of life?

I often feel helpless when I see the world in turmoil, a result of the differences between our ideals. This leads to grief and sorrow being inflicted on millions of innocent victims by a few who abuse the power of their convictions.

“How can I make difference so that I may bring peace to this world that I love and cherish so much? A name flickers instantly in my mind.”  - Mahatma Gandhi

Teaching # 1: Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment. — Mahatma Gandhi

The force of power never wins against the power of love. At this hour of greatest unrest and turmoil in our world, the greatest force to be reckoned with lies within our hearts — a force of love and tolerance for all. Throughout his life, Mahatma Gandhi fought against the power of force during the heyday of British rein over the world. He transformed the minds of millions, including my father, to fight against injustice with peaceful means and non-violence. His message was as transparent to his enemy as it was to his followers. He believed that, if we fight for the cause of humanity and greater justice, it should include even those who do not conform to our cause. History attests to his power as he proved that we can bring about world peace by seeking and pursuing truth for the benefit of Mankind. We can resolve the greatest of our differences if we dare to have a constructive conversation with our enemy.

Teaching # 2: What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?

A war always inflicts pain and sorrow on everyone. History has witnessed countless examples of dictators, including Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin to name but a few, who inflicted sorrow and destruction on our world. A world of peace can be achieved if we learn the power of non-violence, as shown by the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi has proven that we can achieve the noble causes of liberty, justice and democracy for Mankind without killing anyone, without making a child an orphan, and without making anyone homeless with the damage caused by war.

Teaching # 3: There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no cause that I am prepared to kill for. — Mahatma Gandhi

We live for our values and passion but at the core of our existence lies our innate desire to live a peaceful life. The greatest noble cause is to display our desire to bring about peace in this world by our own sacrifice and not that of those who oppose our views. The strength of cowardice is in using power to cause death and destruction for others. The strength of courage is in self-sacrifice for the benefit of all.

Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed his own lucrative law practice in Durban, South Africa to lead a simple life and to share the pain of the powerless and destitute. He won over the hearts of millions without ever reigning power over anyone — simply with the power of altruism. We too can bring peace to our world by showing our willingness to sacrifice our self-centered desires. Our utmost cause in life should be to win the hearts of others by showing our willingness to serve causes greater than ourselves.

Teaching # 4: An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind — Mahatma Gandhi

History can attest to the fact that most human conflicts have been as a result of a stubborn approach by our leaders. Our history would turn out for the better if our leaders could just learn that most disputes can be resolved by showing a willingness to understand the issues of our opponents and by using diplomacy and compassion.

No matter where we live, what religion we practice or what culture we cultivate, at the heart of everything, we are all humans. We all have the same ambitions and aspirations to raise our family and to live life to its fullest. Our cultural, religious and political differences should not provide the backbone to invoke conflicts that can only bring sorrow and destruction to our world.

Teaching #5: We must become the change we want to see in the world. — Mahatma Gandhi

A great leader always leads with an exemplary life that echoes his ideals. Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed his thriving law practice and adopted a simple life to live among the millions who lived in poverty during his freedom struggle. Today, we see modern leaders cajoling the masses with promises that they never intend to keep – let alone practicing what they preach in their own lives. One cannot bring world peace to all unless a leader demonstrates peaceful acts of kindness daily. Mahatma Gandhi believed that we are all children of God. We should not discriminate amongst ourselves based on faith, caste, creed or any other differences.

An outstanding example of Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership was his famous Salt March, which brought about a profound change. On March 2nd 1930, as a protest at tax on salt, Gandhi wrote a remarkable letter to Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India. He wrote, “Dear Friend, I cannot intentionally hurt anything that lives, much less fellow human beings, even though they may do the greatest wrong to me and mine. Whilst, therefore, I hold the British rule to be a curse, I do not intend to harm to a single Englishman or to any legitimate interest he may have in India…” With these words, he inspired millions to fight for this righteous cause and eventually forced the British to leave India without inflicting harm to any Englishman. Such were the quintessential qualities of justice and peace that made Mahatma Gandhi the man who changed our world for the better with his ideals of faith, love and tolerance.

“Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.” - Albert Einstein on Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi taught us that we can bring harmony to our world by becoming champions of love and peace for all. The task is daunting, but he has shown that a fragile, meekly man of small physical stature can achieve feats of incredible magnitude with a staunch belief to practice peace through non-violence. Will you make a pledge to become the change that you would like to see in this world? I have.

Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:

• I shall not fear anyone on Earth.
• I shall fear only God.
• I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.
• I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.
• I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Defending The Mahatma

"I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills" this is what M.K. Gandhi said about his principles which revolutionized the world.

He dreamt that we inculcate those ethics and values and practice in our daily system. But even more than half a century after independence do we really see a glimpse of it anywhere? We could see only one thing and that was publicly criticize him for his ideals. Is violence only a means to set our system in order? Can't we people surrogate the issue by peace? You have corruption, nepotism, sleaze rampaging up day by day no doubt, and you have a very good bureaucratic gibberish system which conceals you to fight for the people but seldom does it. So in this chaos do we break our bones to solve the issues? The only question that requires to be answered is why do we hate him so much? The answer is simple-inadequate knowledge about the mahatma, his deeds, and his untiring contribution to this country. Do we have an estimate of the power of truth?

Have we ever tried to build the pillars of "ahimsa"? Well in an ocean where there are islands of darkness groping up who cares for this? The need for the day is shun down the egoist attitude, the mutual distrust with which we are passing. That's why the need arises for mahatma to be justified.

Non violence - can be a good force if practiced and can bring masses under one shelter. If we have the moot of "shoot the messenger" we can't progress. That is a sheer criminal act. We have to face the person, we have to impress upon them that the thing they are doing is beyond the limits, by hogging guns and pestering down people ruthlessly we are poking our own conduct and spoiling our image in the society. Well if the issues can be sorted out by peace go ahead. There is no room for patronage among the equals.

Honesty - this sounds so obsessed today, neh!? This is a cryptic word which has spread like a virus and hampered our lives! That's what is today's youth mantra. We don't say there is dishonesty brooding in everywhere but we have still a huge huge drop of honesty in our country. Our own netas and babus, we are well aware of their scams and convictions hitting the headlines daily, why to mention them! Well the board" honesty is the best policy" is whiplashes at the backyard and who cares to follow it. Honesty is a virtue that gives you inner strength. It makes your conscience mentally strong, it leads to the right direction whereby you gain the ultimate of life. Gandhiji an apt philosopher who strongly enforced this word among his friends and foes thereby he united people on a threshold where they stood to fight for every injustice done to them, and the Britishers had to forcefully wash their hands.

Well lastly we feel there was a strong force who guided us during our remorse times, who took an initiative to cleanse the system by his virtues, by his marvelous demeanor, a patron who moved that magic stick to bring us to light from darkness. A true freedom fighter who fought till the last breath of his life so that we could sleep in peace. Well it's difficult to pen down those moments unraveling those memories of our nation! A "sone ki chidiya" flying with freedom to achieve its dreams. How great it would have been if we had him today.

Its still not late, just an inner voice who can breaks the chains of poverty, corruption, violence, rage, is needed. So why cant you just follow his path and lead the transformation of MOHAN to MAHATMA.

Gandhi in the West - The Mahatma and the Rise of Radical Protest

Gandhi in the West – The Mahatma and the Rise of Radical Protest : by Dr. Sean Scalmer Published by : Cambridge University Press Pages : 254 Price : Rs. 795/-

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About the Book:

The non-violent protests of civil rights activists and anti-nuclear campaigners during the 1960s helped to redefine Western politics. But where did they come from? Sean Scalmer uncovers their history in an earlier generation's intense struggles to understand and emulate the activities of Mahatma Gandhi. He shows how Gandhi's non-violent protests were the subject of widespread discussion and debate in the USA and UK for several decades. Though at first misrepresented by Western newspapers, they were patiently described and clarified by a devoted group of cosmopolitan advocates. Small groups of Westerners experimented with Gandhian techniques in virtual anonymity and then, on the cusp of the 1960s, brought these methods to a wider audience. The swelling protests of later years increasingly abandoned the spirit of non-violence, and the central significance of Gandhi and his supporters has therefore been forgotten. This book recovers this tradition, charts its transformation, and ponders its abiding significance.

About Author...

SEAN SCALMER is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Historical Studies, University of Melbourne. He is the author of two books on the history of social movements - Dissent Events: Protest and the Media in Australia (2002) and The LIttle History of Australian Unionism (2006). He is also co-author with S. Maddison of Actitivist Wisdom : Practical Knowledge and Creative Tension in Social Movements and co-editor with S. Macintyre of What If? Australian History as It Might Have Been (2006).

Manipulate the principles to not lose the meaning behind them but be able to apply them without feeling restricted.

• Truth: fight your own inner demons, fear and insecurities. Everyone is unique in this world and therefore, one should not compare with others. Be honest with yourself of who you are and what you want. If you think there is something to fix, then fix it.
• Nonviolence: control your temper and also your thoughts. What we think, we become and therefore if you always are thinking of hurting someone or feeling extremely angry at someone, those are the vibes you'll be giving to others. Best way to be nonviolent is to think positive and believe that whatever happens, it is for a good reason.
• Vegetarianism: not everyone can resist meat, but you can control your consumption. For health reasons, avoiding eating a lot of red meat is a good idea.
• Brahmacharya: many of us want to get married and have children or be intimate with someone. Therefore, becoming a brahmacharya might not be possible. However, you could reduce thinking of the opposite sex as an object. You could also wait to be intimate with someone till after marriage.
• Simplicity: life in the western countries tends to be quite fast. Do you need the latest fashion clothing or can you wear the clothes you already have? Do you need 50-100 pairs of shoes? Do you need the latest gadgets? Do you need a brand new BMW? Simplicity doesn't mean foregoing all your desires, but not buying something right away or something you don't really need. Simplicity also means being happy with what you are given and have.
• Faith: believing that there is someone or something higher than you. You don't need to believe in God, but believing that everyone is equal and you are no less or more than someone else. It is knowing your values, ethics and morals. Faith is not following others blindly especially when someone else is doing something that your heart says is not right.

Understand what is different of where and when Mahatma Gandhi lived and where and when you live

• He lived in India during the '30s and '40s when he was following these principles.
• We live in a society and amongst a generation that has a lot more technology, is more materialistic and we are not fighting for the same reasons (we have 'freedom'(opportunities to do what we want to do))

To understand what the principles are:

There are 6 principles that Gandhi followed:

• Truth: learning from your own mistakes and conducting experiments on yourself.
• Nonviolence: nonresistance connected in a way to religion..
• Vegetarianism: carved in the Hindu and Jain traditions in India.
• Brahmacharya: spiritual and practical purity.
• Simplicity: giving up unnecessary spending.
• Faith: belief in a Higher power and that all religions are real and are equal.