My experiments with Gandhi
An essay for the Gandhi peace foundation
Introduction:-
Impractical, less-masculine, exaggerated are words that are nowadays used to criticise Ahimsa. A large number of people have that perception in today’s intolerant and chauvinistic times. But Ahimsa is a way of life that continues to evolve with time and adopts its tone, tenor and color as it moulds with the circumstance. In a world where a larger part of our lives is filled with our occupational work I believe practising ahimsa in our workspaces can help bolster collective growth throughout our professional career.
Main body:-
As Gandhi is seen as synonymous with ahimsa I draw analogies from his experiments with ahimsa to propose a solution for problems that one faces in workplaces. Firstly, one doesn’t have to display vengeance or get traumatized by a dirty showcase of power and authority by his superiors for honest behaviour. Rather learn to rise up and stand firm on your feet. A Harvard study says “Honest and uncompromising managers tend to inspire more employees than otherwise”. Gandhi’s life transformed when he was evicted from a first-class train compartment at midnight in Pietermaritzburg’s railway platform. He could have found rationales to get depressed or to turn violent. Rather he chose to stand up strong and conceived the idea of satyagraha. Ahimsa is a weapon for winning over your opponent’s mind to make room for harmony between both sides of conflicts. Today’s ruthless, unempathetic money minded scrum masters are no exception to it. This can also be extended to your beloved and besmirching colleagues in your parallel ranks.
Solving internal disputes through dialog rather than having vengeance would help in establishing a harmonious work culture. Gandhi’s efforts to bring peace during noakhali riots where he had to bear the insults thrown at him in the form of dirt and threats. He stayed in a half-burnt hut for four months and walked barefoot to have talks and prayer meetings with the people without having any second thoughts on the non-violence that he was preaching. Ponder upon how petty and soft these show-stealers and rumour-mongers are when compared to these lynch mobs?
Finally this boils down to training our minds to avoid a black and white view of the world and understanding that there might be bad systems but all men who man its operations aren’t evil. In the process of finding middle grounds, there exists a danger that you would be tested to your limits morally, emotionally and intellectually and be criticised as a Confused man whose leadership skills are always doubted. So it is important not to shy away from making decisive interventions and decisions.
Conclusion:-
Ahimsa is not just making compromises or dodging away from a fight. Rather, it is negotiating hard for a collective well being. It requires great valour and mental strength to practice Ahimsa. So be persuasive,strong and decisive.
“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet” — Mahatma Gandhi
