Mahatma Gandhi (Source: www.wpr.org)
Quote #1: Gandhi on Greed
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed. – Gandhi
Does the earth provide enough for every human’s needs? Can the earth recover and heal when some of its population consumes more than its share? I’ll be thinking about this today and looking forward to your thoughts in the comments below.
Quote #2: Gandhi on Considering the Weakest
Here in the US, we are waiting to hear if the economic stimulus package proposed by President Obama will pass. While the bill is huge (and perhaps overly ambitious?) I would ask our Senators and Representatives to think about what Gandhi said:
“I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away.” – One of the last notes left behind by Gandhi in 1948, expressing his deepest social thought.
I do not know the answer, but I do think it’s worthwhile to consider how the legislation will help those struggling the most.
That’s my meditation suggestion for today. Be well – on and off the mat.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I think that it is ambitious too. But I think times are dire and we need something grand in order to have any chance at a comeback. Nobody wants to have to do this–but we have to face reality and try to administer to the wounds and stop the bleeding in the economy as quickly as possible.