A More Complete Picture of Human Progress
 I was thrilled when a book by the late Narayan Desai arrived at our office the other day: The Handbook for Satyagrahis. Desai was a lifelong Gandhian and the son of Gandhi's secretary, Mahadev Desai, and spent his younger years living with Gandhi. (I had several opportunities to meet Narayan before he shed his body in 2015, and have since learned to spin on the book charkha I saw him use at his talks.) Here's an example of the gems found in this humble, pamphlet-like paperback (it's very romantic for idealists like myself):
Humankind's progress has been in two directions. It has tried to develop its inner faculties through study, inner search, meditation, Yoga, etc. This progress is concerned with the journey within. The other direction has been in the line of social change through reforms, legislations, revolutions, etc. This progress is concerned with the journey without.
A Satyagrahi does not treat these two journeys as distinct or separated from each other...they are inter-related and interdependent. To a Satyagrahi the individual search for truth must end in social change and the medium of social change should be individual search for truth. For a Satyagrahi the revolution begins with him/herself.
To all of us longing for more nonviolence in our world, let's let Desai's words sink in.
In heart unity,
Stephanie Van Hook, Executive Director
P.S. Here's a great opportunity to engage: Join us for a rich discussion this Sunday (3–5pm PST) based on our Daily Metta inspirations. Sign up for free here, and we'll send you the call-in number.
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