The Bhagavad Gita appears as a section of 700 verses within the ancient Indian epic the Mahabharata, where the warrior prince, Arjuna, collapses in dismay at the prospect of going into battle against his own relatives. He is admonished and encouraged by his charioteer Krishna (none other than an incarnation of Vishnu), and the dialog… read more
Tag Archives: gandhi
Gita Theory of Action
The Gita Theory of Action, derived from the ancient Indian spiritual text the Bhagavad Gita, is Gandhi’s approach to nonviolent action in a nutshell. The basic formula for selfless action is: choose the right goal, use the right means, and leave the results to God. The right goal is unity, or reconciliation, rather than winning or… read more
Detachment
According to the Gita Theory of Action, the philosophical basis of Gandhi’s approach to nonviolence, inaction is not possible for the human being as our thoughts themselves are actions. In effect, the decision not to act is a kind of action in itself. Since inaction is impossible, human beings must focus on how to act in… read more
Three Gunas
The three gunas of the Yogic tradition are the three energy states of the phenomenal world, tamas, rajas, and sattva. Tamas is a state of apathy and inaction, rajas of excitement and activity, and sattva meaning law or balance, is a state in which detachment, or selfless action is possible. Tamas describes people who respond to… read more
Bramacharya
Brahmacharya is an ancient Sanskrit term that identifies one of the major yamasor norms of restraint for spiritual aspirants cited in the Hindu scriptures. It literally means God-conduct, but is normally applied to the vow or practice of celibacy. Gandhi, while still in South Africa in 1906, decided to take this vow. He understood there… read more
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism is the belief in a diet based on plants. Gandhi, who was a vegetarian all his life said that “all science based on the shedding of innocent blood was without consequence.” This theme has been taken up by many today who would replace, for example, dissection of animals with computer simulation. Many feel that… read more
Reverse Strike
Reverse strike is an action that is both constructive and resistant at the same time. Danilo Dolci, sometimes called the Sicilian Gandhi, used the term “strike in reverse” to describe an action undertaken by the citizens of Partinico Sicily. The citizens of the town needed a road as an exit from their poverty. The local… read more
Vinoba Bhave
Vinoba Bhave (1895-1982) was widely regarded as Gandhi’s spiritual heir. The Mahatma appointed Vinoba to be a “Satyagraha of one” in 1940. At the time Gandhi wanted to show the British raj that he was still in open resistance to its rule but did not feel it was proper to launch full-scale Satyagraha because the… read more
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
A Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is a form of restorative justice aimed at the healing of a community broken apart by violence and oppression. The Commission hearings create a safe space where perpetrators and sufferers of that violence can meet safely and discuss the violent actions. By meeting face to face with the sufferers the… read more
Swaraj
Swaraj is an ancient Sanskrit term, composed of the particle swa (or sva), which means self, or one’s own, and raj, which means rule. Swaraj then is self-rule or self-restraint. It is the basis for human liberation from the influence of outward control over the mind, as well as the starting point for nonviolent coexistence… read more
