“live As If You Were To Die Tomorrow. Learn As If You Were To Live Forever.”
Posted: Saturday, October 01, 2011
by Dr. Carla Goddard
In celebration of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on October 2nd, I offer some words spoken by of the greatest humanitarians and social activist of all times. Gandhi ignited the spark of imagination for an entire nation and perhaps for the entire world.
I have heard some say that our present generation is waiting for another Gandhi to lead them - yet, Gandhi himself reminded us to be responsible for the change ourselves and not to wait for another.
"If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do."
The human ability to unify still a pipe dream? So long as the diversion in the global society to take a stance on non-violence exist, it may appear to be the reality.
“"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."”
It was this awareness of being one that lead to the harmony he spoke of. A Society in harmony must begin with a man in harmony with self. He believed that when a man evolves to have a foundation of peace and harmony within, he would be able to withstand all attacks from the outside and from within. When man had this foundation, it is then that society can build its foundation on a peace.
"As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves."
In remaking ourselves, Gandhi shared tiresly his philosophy of how to become a better human being.
"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching."
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
"Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow-men."
One of my favorite quotes of Gandhi is one that speaks to how we should see the relatedness of all, not only a few, he spoke of the discouragement that many face in this co creation of a peaceful world.
"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."
Gandhi's humility and humanness was not some dark shadow, but rather, he himself placed the shadow in direct light. In his life as one of the great visionaries of all times, he reminded each of us that we are but humans and to become in harmony with self one must be willing to see ourselves as that "dirty drop of ocean" as well.
"I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps."
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err."
"I look only to the good qualities of men. Not being faultless myself, I won't presume to probe into the faults of others."
His words on peace and non-violence are simple, yet, the share the attitude of the soul must have to become a peaceful society. So many forget that when you take up the sword of war even in a war of words, the result is not a peaceful and harmonious freedom that is found. His words remind us that it is not a cloak to wear in the light of day, but a tapestry of the soul for all times.
"Nonviolence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being."
"Violent means will give violent freedom."
On the differences of religious dogma and spiritual paths becoming in harmony with one another, he was prophetic in sharing the many paths lead to the same view upon the mountain top and in imposing belief upon another will not lead to victory of any.
"Like the bee gathering honey from the different flowers, the wise person accepts the essence of the different scriptures and sees only the good in all religions."
"Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position."
And lastly, my favorite Gandhi quote of all time speaks to how to live the moments of life ....
"There is more to life than simply increasing its speed."
This weekend of celebration of one of the greatest philospher's of all time birth and the United Nations' International Day of Non-Violence, let us all remember the words attributed to Gandhi, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." "The unity we desire will last only if we cultivate an yielding and charitable disposition towards one another. "
This Article has been viewed 375 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)I like what Gandhi said about only seeing the good in others. And I just realized ... my mother's birthday is the same as Gandhi's birthday, October 2nd. Cool.Askahealer .... how beautiful is that realization ... mwah
Carla, yes, it was a delight. If I look at my mother's life and her light, she is very much the peace-maker. Very much a Gandhi-type personality.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.