GHANDI'S FIVE FUNDAMENTALS FOR CHANGING THE WORLD

Gandhi's Five Fundamentals for Changing the World

Mahatma Gandhi's wisdom and inspiration transcends time and place. The remarkable spiritual leader led the Indian people to independence from British rule in 1947 and his teachings continue to resonate - particularly relevant in tumultuous times. Here are is top five tips for serving as an effective change agent and leader in a chaotic world.

1) CHANGE YOURSELF FIRST.

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves. If you change yourself, you will change your world.

2) FORGIVE AND LET IT GO.

Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind. If you don't forgive, then you let the past and another person control how you feel. By forgiving you release yourself from those bonds.

3) ACT NOW.

An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. Without taking action very little will be done. However, taking action can be hard work and difficult. There can be much inner resistance.

4) LIVE IN THIS MOMENT.

I do not want to foresee the future. I am concerned with taking care of the present. I have no control over the moment following. The best way to overcome the inner resistance that often stops us from taking action is to stay in the present as much as possible and to be accepting.

5) PERSIST.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. Be persistent. In time, the opposition around you will fade and fall away. And your inner resistance and self sabotaging tendencies that want to hold you back will weaken, you will manifest your most essential gifts.

In all that you do, be congruent, be authentic, and be your true self. You will achieve happiness when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. And on that path, always remain open to change and continuous growth.