I’m a huge fan of the Metta Center and have looked to Gandhi for many years as my moral compass. Still, we must avoid putting anyone’s quotes on a moral pedestal, and I think this is an example of one that needs to be subjected to some careful scrutiny because it is far too ideologically consistent with the rich and powerful’s call upon the poor to simply accept their poverty and inferior social position and simply accept their lot and work on cultivate inner happiness. The description of the quote is also problematic. Why on earth would we say it is “unnecessary” and “largely impossible” to level the outer playing field? Difficult, perhaps, but unnecessary?? Finally, the idea that the wealthy should voluntarily give up their wealth and power is somewhat ahistorical (when has this ever happened?), and ultimately is inconsistent with the rest of the Metta Center’s teachings. It’s not so much about the wealthy voluntarily giving up their power (although we certainly believe in their capacity to do so), but about marginalized groups nonviolently organizing and demanding justice. Along the way, we believe we can win over the hearts and minds of the powerful, inviting them to join in the struggle for justice. But this passage falsely makes it sounds as though the voluntary actions of the wealthy are the drivers of change, rather than those of the oppressed.