The Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

Title: The Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi
Author Craig Lock
Category/Key words/ Tags: Gandhi, Mahatma (Mohandas)Gandhi, Peace, Peacemaking, Leadership, Inspiration, "Inspirational Writings", India (stop - enough there now)
Web Site: Craig's new blog with thoughts and extracts from various writings is at craiglock.wordpress.com and
http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, 'spiritual writings' (how 'airey-fairey'), words of inspiration and money management (how boring now, craig!)

Note
If my articles make a difference in people's lives by encouraging or bringing some joy, then we're very happy.

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THE LEGACY OF MAHATMA GANDHI

"Those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics, don't know what religion is."
- Mahatma Gandhi

For people around the world, to this day, the name of Mahatma (or Mohandas) Gandhi remains a highly significant symbol for peace and a powerful force against oppression. Gandhi said: 'YOU have the power to create the world you want.' Gandhi did not say, 'I will be the change'; he said YOU be the change you want to see in the world. It was over a century ago on Sptember 11th (a highly significant date) that Mahandas Gandhi, an attorney launched his 'satyagraha' (which literally means 'pursuit of truth) campaign of non-violent resistance to Apartheid in Johannesburg, South Africa. Gandhi advocated "truth force" in conflict resolution. Gandhi strongly influenced the thinking behind the non-violent struggle of the American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King. Nelson Mandela has also credited Gandhi's legacy with inspiring him during the great man's own long fight against the 'apartheid regime' in South Africa. Both Gandhi and Martin Luther King's strategies involved:

* Stopping any act of non-violence in its tracks through non-violent, yet forceful ACTION.

* Adressing the issues behind the conflict (and the root causes of "terrorism").

Gandhi thought that the right approach lies in confronting ideas, then alleviating the conditions that give rise to disatisfaction, restfulness and conflict (by getting right to the very SOURCE).

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Leaders and negotiators should always maintain the moral high ground. War (and terrorism) is ALWAYS the very LAST resort. Gandhi thought that an inclination to fight debased those who adopted violence as a strategy.

Gandhi insisted on means, solutions that are consistent with the moral high ground of those engaged in the conflict.

The principal influence of 'peacemaking' is profound truth in nearly all of the great religions of the world.
"Religion divides; whereas truth unites."

For every problem in the world, if there is the MORAL WILL, there IS a spiritual solution... because each one of has the power of CHOICE.

Without worthy means, worthy ends can never be attained."

Gandhi never ever lost his faith in his fellow man ... and in God.

"I am a Hindu. I am also a Christian, a Muslim, A Buddhist and a Jew."
- Mahatma Gandhi

Today, more than ever, we need the extraordinary spirit of Mahatma Gandhi to inhabit our world.

Shared by Craig Lock ("Information and Inspiration Distributor, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder")

"There are many causes I am prepared to die for; but no causes I am prepared to kill for."
- Mahatma Gandhi

"Christ gave me the message. Gandhi gave me the method."
- Dr Martin Luther King, jnr

"My death must achieve what my life failed to achieve."
- Gandhi

Craig's new blog with thoughts and extracts from various writings is at craiglock.wordpress.com and
http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22

"We have it within; but we get it all from without. There is a well-spring of strength, wisdom, courage and great imagination within each one of us; but once we draw on this truth, it gets watered from without, by a Higher Source - the Ultimate Source of Life and Love, which is God, the very Ground of our Being."

"The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you...and the often seemingly difficult or even "impassible") path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you."

"Our Greatest Good is perhaps not to share our material possessions, our money and 'riches' with others, but through faith in other people, to so lay the foundation to reveal the rich treasure that lies within themselves."

"Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let's see how many people we can impact, empower, encourage and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials. Change YOUR world and you help change THE world."

"Blessed are the peace-makers... because they'll inherit plenty of Frequent Flyer Points."

PPS
Thanks, dearest mom for telling me about Gandhi, though I was too young to understand at the time. Your unique and generous spirit lives on through me sharing these words...forever

As they carry me to my deathbed, I'll be saying:
"Lord,
Can you just give me one more hour to finish off one last article. PLEASE!"
- craig (as inspired by the quote of singer, Barry Manilow)