June 13, 2016

We feature excerpts by Gandhi that lend insight into his values and personal practices.

More than 96 years ago, Gandhi gave a speech at a meeting in Ahmedabad where, two years before, he had encouraged the mill-hands labourers to offer satyagraha in the form of a strike. This time Gandhi wanted them to remember that they accomplished "victory of justice because the demand of the mill-hands was just and the means adopted by them to secure acceptance were pure". Here's a poignant excerpt of his message that highlights a glimpse of the ultimate reality that makes possible for absolute Love to transform injustice.

April 18, 1920

We all are bound by the ties of love. There is in everything a centripetal force without which nothing could have existed. Scientists tell us that without the presence of the cohesive force amongst the atoms that comprise this globe of ours it would crumble to pieces and we would cease to exist, and even as there is cohesive force in blind matter so much must there be in all things animate and the name for that cohesive force among animate beings is Love. We notice it between father and son, between brother and sister, friend and friend. But we have to learn to use that force among all that lives, and in the use of it consists our knowledge of God. Where there is love there is life; hatred leads to destruction. 

Source:
CWMG, Vol 20, p. 217-222, Young India, April 28,1920 & May 5, 1920

Be The Change

This week be aware of the inter-being among all things that make your existence possible. For example, trace back your food to its origins and explore your intersection with those roots.