What would happen if you tried to live by Gandhi's principles in today's world?
In this episode, we welcome journalist and author Perry Garfinkel, who embarked on an extraordinary 18-month journey to follow Mahatma Gandhi's six principles of moral living: truth, nonviolence, simplicity, faith, vegetarianism, and celibacy.
Perry's experiment, chronicled in his book Becoming Gandhi, took him across three continents as he literally walked in Gandhi's footsteps, from retracing the famous 240-mile Salt March in India to visiting South Africa where Gandhi spent 20 years developing his strategies of peaceful resistance.
With refreshing candor, Perry shares how his "Gandhi Light" experiment transformed his understanding of moral living in our modern world. Rather than making abrupt changes, he discovered the power of "tapering" - gradually reducing behaviors that don't align with your values. From clearing out his closet to examining his relationship with truth, Perry reveals practical ways to incorporate Gandhi's wisdom into everyday life.
This conversation explores what it means to "be the change you want to see in the world" beyond the slogan on t-shirts and bracelets. As Perry notes, "If we want the world to change, we have to change ourselves." In an age where moral heroes seem scarce, this episode offers both inspiration and practical tools for anyone seeking to live with greater integrity and intention.
You'll Learn:
- How to apply Gandhi's six principles to modern life through the practice of "tapering" rather than making abrupt changes
- Why "living your truth" goes beyond not lying to examining deeper questions about your purpose and identity
- How nonviolence extends to self-talk, media consumption, and even the language we use
- Practical strategies for simplifying your life and reducing attachment to possessions
- The interconnected nature of spiritual principles and how they reinforce each other
- How to notice when you've fallen off your path and develop the discipline to return without self-judgment
- Ways to begin meaningful personal transformation that can ultimately influence those around you
Learn more about Perry:
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