Tag Archives: Gandhi

Clarifying Gandhi # 13: Defining Non-stealing, Asteya

All the ideals that Gandhi evolved visions of, through the demonstration of his life, are interwoven. If one is picked up and examined, all the others are found in tow. Likewise, the spheres he worked his ideals through: economics, political activity, education, religious expression, health care, and diet, are similarly inseparable from one another.

This is the beauty of a life lived with clarity of intention. Imperfections are of course there: distortions on that intention abound in Gandhi’s life also. Yet his burning effort to clarify, his constant work at refining his own understanding, leaves a legacy worth contemplating for defining and becoming aware of our own personal life intentions. Continue reading →

Clarifying Gandhi # 11: Self-Governance with the ideal of Non-possession

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an Ocean. If a few drops of the Ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. – Gandhi

We should have been prepared for it, yet CT State layoffs have come as a shock. We had forewarning, everyone knew about the budget shortfall; Gov. Malloy went to public meetings and addressed the issues. Yet, with all the taxes we pay, are layoffs the only answer?

As a leader, Gandhi gave the planet a demonstration of great governance by adhering to the ideal of voluntary poverty. He insisted austerity measures begin in personal lives of leadership, and Continue reading →

Clarifying Gandhi #7: Gandhi’s Gifts to Speech

Speech is the most potent weapon and tool that we have in our persons. To help maintain peace in society and among all aspects of human relations, speech has had careful prescriptions, restrictions and safeguards placed upon it, sanctioned some way in all religions, indigenous societies, cultures, common sense, and conscience.

Critically examined, it is clear that Gandhi worked Continue reading →

Four Waters System of Hanumantha Rao!

Gandhi was so concerned with sustainable water conservation management, that in his intentional communities he set an example by collecting the outhouse urine in the mornings to do the first rinse on the night-soil pots!  He also studied organic gardening in experiments going on in Indore, MP, that were to later inspire the Organic Gardening Magazine of the Rodale Press, here in the USA. Being a Gardener Continue reading →

A transgender God?

Transgender or No Gender? The Indian Ethos

A friend of mine recently sent me this article on the honouring of transgender people in India.

I am grateful that Indian philosophy has progressed in the ways that it has. It leaves a lot of room, as well as a lot to think about, in that inner ever meshing, threshing dialogue that we all engage in, some more consciously than not.  I find that the deep honouring of the differences between the genders in India has allowed each to blossom in ways that are not threatened by the other.   Here in the US,  gender debate does not even begin to encompass the natural and wonderful differences that our Creator has endowed us with, but seems a reaction to the valuing of men and women by an economic system that has no use for positive feminine qualities, as they are known. Continue reading →

A clear view of the Woodstock Campus from afar

In the Heart, Valentines Day 2016

Reflecting on my memories and feelings for someone, I wanted to call ______ and say, “There is always a room in my heart for you.”

Not room in my heart. Not a space. But, an actual room, a place.

Is this what is meant by that idea, expressed by that beautiful idealist, “My Father’s mansion has so many rooms” ?

Reflecting further, I see that for everything, each and all that I have ever touched in open love, a room in my heart has been created.

How many rooms we each have in our heart!

They can be for places too.i

It was a few years ago when this line of thinking began surfacing softly in me. As a child I had spent a few years in the Himalayas.

Continue reading →

Picture of Gandhi and Kasturba

Looking with Gandhi at Advancing Common Sense: the Necessity of Devotion, and the Role of Death

Individual liberty is allowed to man only to a certain extent. He cannot forget that he is a social being and his liberty has to be curtailed at every step. – Gandhi[i]

Common Sense, the Social Aspect of Conscience

Human civilization shares a great commonality of understanding that transcends religions, creeds, cultures, and politics: our common sense. To advance common sense is the socially functioning aspect of our conscience. Behind every exercise of common sense is a tie to conscience. The role of conscience in advancing common sense, is to seek the fulfillment of love from within us, for all life.

For example, corporate person-hood: common sense tells us that a business is not a human being, and does not deserve the rights of a human being. Furthermore, a real person is accountable for their actions. The anonymity of corporate person-hood means that no specific person(s) is responsible for corporate actions. Common sense sees no person who can take accountability. Conscience finds the role of business is to serve the welfare of society. Greed at the expense of other people’s welfare is hurtful for genuine harmony, peace, and the fulfillment of love. Continue reading →