FREE ESSAY ON GANDHI AND THE WESTERN MIND

GANDHI AND THE WESTERN MIND

Mary Reynolds
November 17, 2000
History 3840
Arthur K. Scott
Gandhi, Satyagraha, and the Western Mind
There is much that can be said about such a great leader like Gandhi. He had many skills
that were needed to make a difference in the world. Perhaps the most important quality
that he possessed was the attributes of knowledge and common sense. These attributes made
him a very levelheaded man who knew how to treat his opponent with respect while stating
the issue at hand. 
Gandhi achieved many accomplishments throughout his life. Overall, the most significant
was that one man could make a difference within his own country that received worldwide
recognition. One of the reasons as to why Gandhi was such a success is in order to be a
great leader, one must possess a great deal of inner peace. He was very capable of doing
so, and in return, the opposing side listened to what this man had to say. The philosophy
of Mahatma Gandhi is very different than those of Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X.
Gandhi took philosophy to a further level, which allowed people to understand themselves
before trying to take on the opposing side. 
One of the main terms used in Gandhi's philosophy is Satyagraha, which is the force of
truth and love (Chadha, 112). This term can be applied to many different situations.
Satyagraha has many different meanings, which is good because it allows people to
interpret it in their own way. Webster's dictionary defines Satyagraha as "insisting on"
or "the strong and obstinate inclination for" (280). Satyagraha can be used in both
political as well as domestic situations. The individual must use his or her inner soul
to achieve peacefulness, which is brought on by Satyagraha.
The term Ahisma is the second principle of Gandhi's philosophy, which means "nonviolence
to all living things" (Chadha 113). The term is also associated with truth. Ahisma also
means having no intention to kill. This is what gave Gandhi and those who followed him,
the ability not to strike back. They were able to look within themselves and find peace.

An example of how this philosophy played out can be found in an example story told by
Gandhi to help others understand how not to fight back with force. The story said that a
man was trying to save a scorpion that kept biting him. When asked why did he keep trying
to save the scorpion, the man stated that he was a human being and that it was his nature
to save, just as it was the nature of the scorpion to bite (Fischer 77). Gandhi was able
to declare that he applied true nonviolence to every part of his life. Domestic,
institutional, economic, and political problems could all be dealt with by using
Satyagraha. 
Satyagraha can be looked at as a method for resolving conflict. One of the main points is
to try and win the trust of the other side. When this is accomplished, the two opposing
sides can talk out their differences and try to put an end to them. Satyagraha also uses
the readiness to suffer and not fight back. The citizens of India were successful in
doing so. Take for example, the time in which Gandhi's followers were repeatedly beaten
and abused by authorities. They were able to search within their own souls and find the
strength to resist violence. 
The four main weapons used by the satyagrahai are sympathy, trust, patience, and the
willingness to suffer (Fischer 221). The relationship with the opponent can later become
one that is full of trust, respect, and cooperation. When this type of relationship is
obtained, conflict and tension will be resolved. 
Western minds may view this process as an unrealistic way of trying to solve a problem.
With a true enemy, it is very hard- - almost impossible to even attempt to become friends
with such a powerful, domineering opponent such as the British. The idea of using these
four weapons seems very hard to actually accomplish. It appears that Gandhi takes great
ease in dealing with the enemy. "In the end, the enemies are converted to friends," said
Gandhi (Prasad, 28). Although this idea seems almost impossible to accomplish, Gandhi did
succeed in getting his followers to put in extreme amounts of effort to achieve peace.
In today's world, three different types of situations can be aided through the practice
of Satyagraha. They are self, family, and work. Once the true understanding of the term
Satyagraha is developed, it becomes possible for conflicts within these situations to
become resolved.
Gandhi's hunger strikes, marches, and civil disobedience acts were crucial towards his
accomplishment of peace. His followers were very faithful and were able to make a
statement that got the attention of the British government. The principle of Satyagraha
worked well in a country such as India because of its strong religious spirituality.
Indians are highly dedicated and motivated when it comes to the topic of faith. Poverty
is everywhere in this country, and faith becomes central to one's life. 
Gandhi had a great deal of success in showing to the world just exactly how nonviolent
resistance could make a difference. He was a very educated man and possessed the
qualities necessary to be a great leader. He disagreed with the methods put forward by
Western civilization. It was perceived that Westerners were "enterprising, impatient,
engrossed in multiplying their material wants and in satisfying them, fond of good cheer,
anxious to save physical labor and prodigal habits" (Prasad 235). Westerners were fond of
good cheer and in need of having a good time. The British were perceived as having little
or no self-control. British and Indian cultures are so different, how could an
interaction between the two ever be successful? 
It is much easier to look back and say what could have been done. The British overstayed
their welcome in India, although they were never really invited in the first place. The
British imposed their views onto another culture. They were rude, disrespectful, and
degrading to another country on that country's soil. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect
of British rule was the introduction of social Darwinism into Indian culture. To
introduce racism into another land is sickening because the repercussions of it never
fully go away. Yet Gandhi was able to teach the British and the rest of the world
something about nonviolence and its positive results.
The term Satyagraha is very complex and is accompanied with great dedication. To fight
back without violence takes a huge amount of inner self control, a certain peace of mind,
and the physical ability not to strike back. The country of India was able to show to the
world that nonviolent resistance can make a difference. It is peaceful and the enemy is
able to step back and see what the opposing side is trying to accomplish.
In conclusion, the works of Gandhi were very successful. He was able to prove that the
country of India, which was thought not to have power, did indeed possess an enormous
amount of power. He showed that this power was different, because India's power did not
lie in the use of weapons or money. Rather India's power was found within Satyagraha, the
"soul-force" power. What Gandhi accomplished was inspiring and he showed Westerners a new
way to deal with conflict. It is very hard to prove a point to another culture with
extremely different thoughts and beliefs. Yet it is a great accomplishment to make others
acknowledge a new way of resolving conflicts with their enemies.