“Whoever tries to serve his private ends without serving others harms himself as well as the world at large. The reason is obvious.” ~ Gandhi, Ashram Observances in Action, p. 68 Most of us do not grow up with the understanding that pursuit of private satisfaction and well-being, without regard for others, is in any… read more
Tag Archives: stephanie van hook
Level of Principle: Daily Metta
“I have sacrificed no principle to gain a political advantage.” ~ Gandhi, Mind of Mahatma Gandhi, p. 38 You can always count on Gandhi for words that will soothe and refresh. Imagine it: in the midst of political turmoil, he is able to profess that he refuses to sacrifice his principles to gain an advantage.… read more
Distance & Time: Daily Metta
“I wholeheartedly detest this mad desire to destroy distance and time.” ~ Gandhi, Mind of Mahatma Gandhi, p. 233 In order to see life as it is, to see people as they are, not to mention ourselves, we have to slow down. Instead of long walks or journeys, we fly from one place to the… read more
Soul Force: Daily Metta
“It is easy to see that soul force is infinitely superior to body force.” ~ Gandhi, Mind of Mahatma Gandhi, p. 165 Is soul force really superior to body force? We would need to look at the big picture, I think, in order to decide. Gandhi says that it’s easy to see, but is it… read more
Our Dignity: Daily Metta
“My goal is friendship with the world and I can combine the greatest love with the greatest opposition to wrong.” ~ Gandhi, Mind of Mahatma Gandhi, p. 424 Every human being has dignity. When we teach ourselves to keep this simple idea in mind, friendship with everyone is no longer hyperbole, but a real (and… read more
Expansive Notion: Daily Metta
“Man is both matter and spirit, each acting on and affecting the other.” ~ Gandhi, Mind of Mahatma Gandhi, p. 80 We might consider that one of Gandhi’s greatest insights was that he saw humanity, life in general, as more than meets the eye. A vision like this cannot but express itself in nonviolent action;… read more
Abiding Joy: Daily Metta
“When a child, my nurse taught me to repeat Rama-nama whenever I felt afraid or miserable, and it has been second nature with me with growing knowledge and advancing years. I may even say that the word is in my heart, if not actually on my lips, all the twenty-four hours.” ~ Gandhi, Mind of… read more
Personal Interest: Daily Metta
“When there is no desire for fruit, there is also no temptation for untruth or himsa.” ~ Gandhi, Mahatma, Vol. 2, p. 311 When Gandhi tells us, based on his adherence to the mystical teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, to let go of the results of our actions, fruit, or phalam in Sanskrit, he is… read more
Being Human: Daily Metta
“Unless the mind and the body and the soul are made to work in unison, they cannot be adequately used for the service of mankind.” ~ Gandhi, The Gita According to Gandhi, p. 208 What is a human being? Gandhi answers: Mind, body and spirit. Work that lasts, that uplifts and ennobles, needs to have… read more
Habit: Daily Metta
“Habit is not nature.” ~ Gandhi, The Gita According to Gandhi, p. 187 If our nature is good, then why do we do things that harm ourselves and others? Because there is a difference between habit and nature. We might acquire a negative habit—of judgment rather than mercy; of condemnation rather than forgiveness; of self-centeredness… read more
