A while back, after reading Gandhi’s book “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” I began to believe that people have misconstrued what he was trying to say. The Gandhi mythos placed around him fell apart, the one of that skinny Indian man saying nonviolence is the right way, the image that has become the poster child for non-violence. To me it seems like he was trying to say that, you must find the truth, that each person is responsible for finding truth for themselves. He even said that it causes him distress, when people try to revere his life and ideas. Do you think Gandhi’s belief can be summed up as, “I have no idea what truth is, but you must go and seek it out for your self.”?
2007-12-20 18:06:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Each of these answers gives what Gandhi sought to ride himself of. The concept that he was some higher, smarter or what have you, person, that was all knowing and wise. It’s sad to face it, but I guess history robbed him of the one thing he sought to prove, that he was JUST a man. When we start thinking of great historical figures, as Great men, above the rest, smarter, faster, stronger we are basically making an excuses as to why we could never do what they did. Don’t sell your self short; you’re a legend whose story has yet to be written.
2007-12-20 19:14:51 · update #1
I know that Gandhi said, "All my life I have thought that God is Truth, but now I know that Truth is God".
I think Gandhi teaches us a very good and helpful attitude that every individual should seek truth himself or herself. I don't think he means "I have no idea what truth is", he only emphasises on finding the truth yourself. Because if another person knows the truth, its not as helpful as knowing and understanding the truth yourself. And dont you think if two individuals really find the truth, it would be the same thing that they would find out?
Gandhi was wise to guide people to find the truth, as he knew that only truths can enlighten people and free their minds from darkness. It is quite true that "Seek the truth and the truth shall set you free". Here truth sets free from darkness
2007-12-20 18:25:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. I would say his belief could be summed up as "I know what the truth is, but there is only so much that I can teach you. If you really want to learn the truth, you must seek it for yourself. Then, you will also know what I know."
This same message has been given by every great spiritual leader.
2007-12-20 18:28:10 · answer #2 · answered by Theresa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good way to frame his perspective...which is essentially what Gautama Buddha said: "Do not accept what anyone has taught you, even myself, without proving it for yourself," and what the Apostle Paul said: "Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good."
A worthwhile volume: "Gandhi, the Man: The Story of His Transformation," Eknath Easwaran, Ph.D., http://www.easwaran.org
You might also find "Climb the Highest Mountain," Mark Prophet, and "A Philosophy of Universality" and "Man, Master of His Destiny," O. M. Aivanhov, worthwhile.
2007-12-20 18:20:37 · answer #3 · answered by j153e 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋