Contributed papers presented at the International Conference on Peace, Non-violence, and Empowerment: Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century, convened by the Indian National Congress in New Delhi on January 29-30, 2007.
When Mahatma Gandhi died in 1948 by an assassin's bullet, the most potent legacy he left to the world was the technique of satyagraha (literally, holding on to the Truth). His "experiments with Truth" were far from complete at the time of his death, but he had developed a new technique for effecting social and political change through the constructive conduct of conflict: Gandhian satyagraha had become eminently more than "passive resistance" or "civil disobedience." By relating what Gandhi said to what he did and by examining instances of satyagraha led by others, this book abstracts from the Indian experiments those essential elements that constitute the Gandhian technique. It explores, in terms familiar to the Western reader, its distinguishing characteristics and its far-reaching implications for social and political philosophy.
What can we learn from Mahatma Gandhi as far as leadership is concerned? Mahatma Gandhi needs no introduction. An icon revered by millions across the world, he led a country to freedom through methods and principles never used before. What was it about Gandhi that made him an icon? How did a frailordinary man bring about a revolution? And how did he manage to rope in the poor, the working class, the elite and the intelligentsia to work together? In this one-of-a-kind self-help book, Virender Kapoor analyses Gandhi's methods and derives leadership lessons from his life, explaining how readers can successfully employ these in their own lives. He reveals how Gandhi carefully analysed situations, the precursor of SWOT analysis before formulating the best way to deal with them. It was thus that he formulated the idea of Satyagraha. He also shows that Gandhi understood the power of emotional appeal and used sincerity rather than empty rhetoric to maximize on this. In other words, he 'walked the talk'. These and other strategies by Gandhi provide important lessons for leaders of any era, in any capacity. The key, he reveals, is to adapt, rather than adopt, Gandhi's philosophy in action.
Short, easy-to-read essays revealing Gandhi’s most important teachings on love, meditation, service, and prayer—with profound wisdom and inspiration for readers of every faith. Mahatma Gandhi became famous as the leader of the Indian independence movement, but he called himself “a man of God disguised as a politician.” The Way to God demonstrates his enduring significance as a spiritual leader whose ideas offer insight and solace to seekers of every practice and persuasion. Collecting many of his most significant writings, the book explores the deep religious roots of Gandhi’s worldly accomplishments and reveals—in his own words—his intellectual, moral, and spiritual approaches to the divine. First published in India in 1971, the book is based on Gandhi’s lifetime experiments with truth and reveals the heart of his teachings. Gandhi’s aphoristic power, his ability to sum up complex ideas in a few authoritative strokes, shines through these pages. Individual chapters cover such topics as moral discipline, spiritual practice, spiritual experience, and much more. Gandhi’s guiding principles of selflessness, humility, service, active yet nonviolent resistance, and vegetarianism make his writings as timely today as when these writings first appeared. A foreword by Gandhi’s grandson Arun and an introduction by Michael Nagler add useful context.
"Born in 1934 in South Africa, where he was subject to the daily injustices of apartheid, and raised in a family dedicated to nonviolent social reform, Dr. Gandhi writes with rare authority and insight. His narrative draws primarily upon the experiences as a youth in India, where he lived with his grandfather during the last eighteen months of the Mahatma's life.
In 1948, at the dawn of his country's independence, Mohandas Gandhi, father of the Indian independence movement and a beloved prophet of nonviolence, was assassinated by Hindu nationalists. In riveting detail, author James W. Douglass shows as he previously did with the story of JFK how police and security forces were complicit in the assassination and how in killing one man, they hoped to destroy his vision of peace, nonviolence, and reconciliation. Gandhi had long anticipated and prepared for this fate. In reviewing the little-known story of his early "experiments in truth" in South Africa the laboratory for Gandhi's philosophy of satyagraha, or truth force Douglass shows how early he confronted and overcame the fear of death. And, as with his account of JFK's death, he shows why this story matters: what we can learn from Gandhi's truth in the struggle for peace and reconciliation today.
This handbook provides a primer of Mahatma Gandhi's principles of moral action and conflict resolution. It offers a step-by-step approach that can be used in any conflict situation - at home or in business; and in local, national or international arenas.
A collection of Prof. Raghavan Iyer's HERMES articles on Mahatma Gandhi's theory and practice of non-violence and Buddha's philosophical teachings on the Path to Perfection.