June 14:

“True happiness comes from health and true health is impossible without a rigid control of the palate.”

–Gandhi (Guide to Health, 1930)

Gandhi and his wife, Kasturba, were married as children, at 13 years old, in an arranged marriage. In many ways they grew up together, and as Gandhi grew in his understanding of nonviolence, he steadily became a better partner for his wife.

One time when Kasturba was very ill, it was put to her that she should refrain from eating salt and pulses ( staple grains in the traditional Indian diet, such as dal and chickpeas) for an entire year. She looked pained by the suggestion and was at first unwilling to go along with it, sick though as she was. She told him that even he could not do something as severe as that! Ever-growing in his fondness toward her while at the same time, developing his understanding of nonviolence, Gandhi took up the challenge: if she would not give them up for the sake of her health, then he would give them up as a vow, out of pure affection for her. It touched her heart. Together, they began their mutual salt and pulse-fast. Gandhi knew that this would strengthen the bond between them, and he documents this experience as a key moment when he realized that his love for his wife was growing.

Experiment in Nonviolence:

If you could renounce something to help influence someone you love to make a healthier choice, what would it be? Give it a try!

Daily Metta 2015, a service of the Metta Center for Nonviolence, is a daily reflection on the strategic and spiritual insights of Mahatma Gandhi in thought, word and deed. As Gandhi called his life an “experiment in truth,” we have included an experiment in nonviolence to accompany each Daily Metta. Check in every day for new inspiration. Each year will be dedicated to another wisdom teacher.