Mahatma Gandhi
Today
By Mike Ghouse
04 October, 2007
Countercurrents.org
Mahatma
Gandhi is one of the five humans on the planet who has impacted my life
profoundly. He was a messenger of peace; his language nourished reconciliation,
and his actions encouraged co-existence. Whether it is the conflict
between Hindus or Muslims or with the British Raj, his words mitigated
conflicts and directed one's thoughts and actions towards solutions.
He was one of the most powerful
leaders we have had in the last two centuries. He did not want anything
for himself, nor did he want to control anything or lead any one. All
he wanted to do was create a society of mutual respect and co-existence.
Every one always wonders how did he get to make people listen to his
message of non-violence? The answer is simple; People knew, he gained
nothing from what he does, but instead they gained from his effort.
Indeed, those who are un-selfish have invincible moral strength. Nothing
frightens them or cows them down. You will find the same commitment
and moral strength in Moses, Jesus, Krishna, Rama, Buddha, Zoroaster,
Mahavira, Confucius, Nanak, Baha'u'llah, Mother Teresa and so many other
great souls. Muhammad is my other mentor who had all the power on the
earth during his life time but lived a simple life, and told his own
daughter that she ain't going to get a free pass to God, she has to
earn it by doing good deeds, i.e., doing things for other's good. Every
one of the above teacher's strength lie in one simple thing: Their sense
of justice was strong as a mountain and they were absolutely un-selfish.
Mahatma Gandhi's non-Violence movement is a model that will last for
centuries to come. Every great teacher listed above has taught the same
message over and over again. The idea is that there is a balance of
energy in every human, doing bad things deflates that energy and doing
good things recoups it. You may have experienced the elated feeling
of having a great day, when you helped someone in dire need. Non-Violence
is a belief that the tyrant is blessed with the same energy, but is
not aware of it and we have to help him realize it after enduring the
suffering. Fighting out may bear the result for short run, but in the
long run, the fighting and the avenging continues. Whereas the non-violence
method of achieving the objective is sustainable, justice ultimately
brings lasting peace, and non-violence sustains it, violence disturbs
the balance.
I have a special connection
with the Mahatma, and am making this disclosure for the first time in
public. I have met the Mahatma twice in my dreams; first time was way
back in 1971 when the Mahatma, the Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University
Dr. Narsimaiah and myself were talking over a meal and he gave a pat
on my back and told me that I have a lot of work to do. Then again in
2005, I saw him smiling at me encouraging me to continue with the work
of Pluralism.
My message on this day is watch what you say; does it conflagrate the
dialogue, does it make the opposing parties dig in? or does it propel
people to work towards solutions. You can apply this formula at your
work, home or any situation and see the difference. Be a winner, by
making the others a winner too.
Mahatma Gandhi probably would have endorsed my view that, if we can
learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness to each one of
seven billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. That
is the mission of the foundation for pluralism.
Today, October 2nd is Mahatma's birthday, may this day make our leaders
think, and believe that there is a greater joy in creating peace.
Ghouse is
a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is president of the www.FoundationforPluralism.com
and is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing
interfaith, political and civic issues. He is the founding president
of the www.WorldMuslimCongress.com with a simple theme: "Good for
Muslims and good for the world." His personal Website is www.MikeGhouse.net
and his articles can be found on the Websites mentioned above and in
his Blogs: http://MikeGhouseforAmerica.Blogspot.com and http://MikeGhouse.Sulekha.com
Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home
town. He can be reached at [email protected]
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