Legacy Worthy Change: Be The Change

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Legacy Worthy Change

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

Be the Change: 75 years ago, Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948 by a Hindu nationalist who disagreed with his beliefs.  Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and social justice continues to inspire political and social activists around the world. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century and is remembered as the “Father of the Nation” in India.

He was a political and spiritual leader who spoke of change in the context of political and social transformation, particularly in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. January 30, 1948 marks three quarters of a century since Gandhi’s death by assassination.

Gandhi advocated for nonviolent resistance and promoted principles of truth, justice, and morality as means of effecting change. Gandhi’s philosophy of change emphasizes individual and collective action guided by a higher moral authority, as opposed to change achieved through violence or coercion.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Mahatma Gandhi is often credited with this change quote.

This what Gandhi did say as a change maker:

“We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.”    ~Mahatma Gandhi

The closest match to “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” is written in a chapter in a 1974 book by Arleen Lorrance. “One way to start a preventative program is to be the change you want to see happen.”  ( per quote investigator)

Memorable legacy worthy change quotes:

“All great changes are preceded by chaos.”

~Deepak Chopra, Indian-born American author and alternative medicine advocate

“There is nothing permanent except change.”

~Heraclitus, Ancient Greek, pre-Socratic, Ionian philosopher

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

~George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

~Steve Jobs, American business magnate, industrial designer, investor, and media proprietor

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

~Maya Angelou, American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist

 

Gandhi Background

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, a coastal town in present-day Gujarat, India. He studied law in Britain and returned to India in 1915, where he became a leader in the Indian National Congress and played a key role in India’s independence movement.

Gandhi led several successful campaigns, including the Salt March of 1930 and the Quit India movement in 1942, that helped to secure India’s independence from British rule in 1947.

Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948 by a Hindu nationalist who disagreed with his beliefs. Despite his death, Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and social justice continues to inspire political and social activists around the world. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century and is remembered as the “Father of the Nation” in India.

Mahatma Gandhi believed in bringing about change through peaceful means, such as protests, civil disobedience and strikes, as opposed to violent revolution. He also fought for India’s independence from British rule and advocated for equal rights and treatment of all people, regardless of religion, caste or gender. In essence, Gandhi’s change was about creating a society based on peace, equality and justice for all.

Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, as well as his charisma and leadership, made him a global symbol of peace and social justice. He is widely known as “Mahatma,” which means “great soul” in Sanskrit.

Mahatma Gandhi studied law in London and later worked as a lawyer in South Africa. While there, he experienced discrimination and became involved in activism, advocating for the rights of Indian immigrants.

Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and soon became a leader in the Indian National Congress, working towards independence through non-violent means. He organized peaceful protests and strikes, including the Salt March in 1930, which was a turning point in India’s independence movement.

Gandhi was arrested several times by the British government for his activism, but his message of peace and non-violence inspired others to continue the fight for independence. India gained independence from Britain in 1947, but Gandhi was assassinated the following year by a Hindu nationalist who opposed his views on religious tolerance.

As a lawyer in South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi was influenced by a number of people and ideas. Some of the key influences on Gandhi during this time include:

  1. 1. Henry David Thoreau: Gandhi was inspired by Thoreau’s essay “Civil Disobedience,” which argues that individuals have a duty to disobey unjust laws. Gandhi later adopted the principle of non-violent resistance as a way of resisting British rule in India.
  2. 2. Leo Tolstoy: Gandhi was also influenced by the works of the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, particularly his essay “The Kingdom of God is Within You,” which advocates for a philosophy of non-violence and social reform.
  3. 3. Christianity: Gandhi was exposed to Christian ideas of love, compassion and selflessness, which he later incorporated into his own philosophy of nonviolent resistance.
  4. 4. The Bhagavad Gita: Gandhi was deeply influenced by the Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita, which he considered to be a source of inspiration and guidance.

 

Overall, Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa, as well as the people and ideas he encountered there, helped shape his philosophy of non-violent resistance and social justice, which he later applied in his fight for Indian independence.

Gandhi’s philosophy was shaped by a wide range of thinkers and traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism and Christianity.

One notable influence was a German-Jewish architect and freedom fighter named Hermann Kallenbach. Kallenbach and Gandhi formed a close friendship while Gandhi lived in South Africa, and Kallenbach was a strong supporter of Gandhi.

Martin Buber, a Jewish philosopher who advocated for interpersonal relationships based on empathy and understanding became central to Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance.

 

What are the critical forms of change that Gandhi advocated?

 

  1. 1. Political independence and change: Gandhi fought for India’s independence from British rule and believed that self-governance was essential for the progress and well-being of the Indian people.
  2. 2. Social justice and change: Gandhi was a champion of social justice and advocated for the rights of marginalized communities, including Dalits (formerly known as “untouchables”), women, and religious minorities.
  3. 3. Non-violent resistance and change: Gandhi believed in using non-violent means, such as strikes, civil disobedience, and protests, to bring about change and resist oppression. He argued that violence only begets more violence, and that true change can only be achieved through peaceful means.
  4. 4.  Religious tolerance and change: Gandhi believed in the importance of religious tolerance and worked to promote understanding and unity between different religious communities. He believed that all religions were paths to the same truth and that people of different faiths could coexist peacefully.
  5. 5. Economic equality and change: Gandhi was also concerned with economic inequality and advocated for the rights of the poor. He encouraged self-sufficiency and advocated for the use of village industries as a means of providing employment and reducing poverty.

 

Overall, Gandhi’s critical forms of change were centered around creating a just and peaceful society based on political independence, social justice, non-violence, religious tolerance, and economic equality.

What Changes Have Propelled Civilization?

Significant changes in the last century include:

 

  1. 1. Political changes, illustrated by Gandhi among others,  and events such as the fall of communist regimes and the spread of democracy, which have brought about new forms of government and expanded individual freedoms. Gandhi was a force for political change.
  2. 2. Technological changes and advancements which have transformed the way people communicate, access information, and conduct business.
  3. 3. The rise of computing devices, development of the internet, e-commerce, streaming and mobile technology, blockchain, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence have changed the way people work, play, and create.
  4. 4. Medical advancements, including new treatments and therapies for diseases, which have changed and led to longer life expectancy and improved quality of life.
  5.  5. Scientific discoveries, such as the discovery of DNA, which have changed and revolutionized our understanding of the world and expanded our knowledge of genetics and evolution.
  6.  6. Environmental awareness and action, including the recognition of the negative impact of human activities on the planet and efforts to address it through sustainable practices and policies.
  7.  7. Globalization, including expanded international trade and the rise of multinational corporations, which have connected countries and people in ways never before possible.

 

Major changes in travel helped create connection across the globe and propelled travel include:

 

  1. 1. The growth of increased cultural exchange led to greater interest in travel and exploring new destinations.
  2. 2. Development of air travel: Commercial air travel became widespread, making it easier and faster for people to travel long distances.
  3. 3. Advancements in transportation technology starting with 1893 Duryea Motor Wagon in USA,1886, Carl Benz vehicles in Germany, and 1903 Henry Ford motor automobiles in Detroit. Cars became more affordable and reliable, various fueling options from gasoline, propane, electric, and hybrid. Highways and other infrastructure improvements made road travel more efficient.
  4. 4. Rise of the tourism industry: The growth of the global economy and increased disposable income led to a boom in the travel and tourism industry, making travel more accessible to a wider range of people. Internet options for booking and viewing video and gorgeous images compelled travelers.
  5. 5. Expansion of budget travel options: The rise of low-cost airlines and budget accommodations made travel more affordable and allowed more people to experience new destinations.

6. Improved communication and information technology: The widespread use of the internet and mobile devices made it easier for people to plan and book their travels, find information about destinations, and stay connected while on the go.

 

Change Summary

Make your own change or change will happen to you.  It bears repeating:

“There is nothing permanent except change.”  ~Heraclitus

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