Experiments With Truth: A Tribute to Gandhi
8/31/07
Gandhi's autobiography is one of the most profound books I’ve ever encountered. A dear friend of mine gave me a copy.
I knew about his life through my history studies, watching the movie, etc., but never studied his deeper philosophy of Bachmachaya (spiritual and practical purity), his Ahimsa (non-violence), and finally maura and shanti (silence and peace). Gandhi stopped reading newspapers for years, fasted on numerous occasions, was vegan, was celibate, made his own clothes, rode only third class on trains, etc. He faulted Indians as often lazy and filthy, and was highly respectful to the Empire. And yet, of course, he is the Father of India and its Home Rule.
Not a simple guy, and yet he travelled with 5 items maximum.
Gandhi’s writing is profound, introspective, and very honest. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is doing OK in life, but yet hungry to get to the next level.Gandhi’s life is complex, and his views are not always predictable. What is so exciting is his vow-taking. Each step in his life seemed governed by self-control and self-reflection. This book has prompted me to tackle numerous goals in many areas of my life which I describe below.
Us Westerners are a busy lot. Like hamsters on a wheel, we have energy to spare, but can often find ourselves not going far. Striving for Infinity, we push ourselves faster by building bigger engines.
Many in the East hold a different perspective. Integration of one's inner self, in actions, values, beliefs, and duties, becomes a goal and blessing. Despite apparent busyness, a focus to stop running, still the mind, and improve one's Human Alignment creates a calm within the Storm of Life. Striving for Zero, they remain moving just as fast as we, but perhaps slightly more comfortably. They go faster by building lighter cars.
No gross generalization such as set forth above is sufficiently sturdy to allow for overall comparisons. However, I do find my life's travels to be Eastward. Through a cursory (although deepening and improving) study of Hinduism, Buddhism, martial arts, and Asian culture generally, I've found the contemplative, "Self as God" belief system, coupled with explicit norms and precepts, and millenia of excellent literature, highly appealing.
The Western mindset is not without advantage. Refining and improving the Western motivational, philosophical, and even religious systems (installing a bigger engine so to speak) will be so much the more powerful upon quenching any vital thirst for balance, alignment, and serenity. This will provide even greater joy.
Last week, I took a vow of silence for 36 hours. In the Hindu religion, this is called Mauna. In a general sense, Christianity and Judaism connect others (the Prophets, etc.) with God while Pagan religions are animistic. However, in many Eastern religions and philosophies, adherents believe that the Self pervades all, and the Self is supreme to even the gods. Most importantly, to me, is that in such Eastern religions, one’s pursuit of Godliness involves specific activities that one can do in regular life. For example, in Buddhism and Hinduism, there the concept of meditation is a core to their spiritual growth. Meditation improves the conservation of energy, fosters self-control (sattrayana) and non-attachment, and therefore calms the mind. By creating peace within the body and the senses, one hopes to create inner peace within the soul/mind, and eventually outer peace (a la Gandhi) within the world. This alignment of one's soul, mind, body, and then outer world is to me creating heaven on earth. It is a fascinating and life-altering concept to me. It meshes with how I've always believe man should be. Here are the four main examples:
1) Brahmancharya is sexual continence. Gandhi, as you know, practiced this from about age 36 for the rest of his life. "The meaning of Brahmacharya is this. One who never has lustful intention, who by constant attendance upon God, has become capable of lying naked with naken women, however beautiful they may be, without being in any manner sexually excited. Such a person should be incapable of lying, incapable of intending doing harm to a single man or woman, free from anger and malice, and detached." --- Gandhi, from "Gandhi's Passion" by Wolpert. Also, in the book the term Brahmacharya is defined as "celibate studenthood' and "sexual abstinence". Lastly, Gandhi states, "A perfect Brahmachari never loses his vital fluid." Clearly, the concept of Brahmacharya is one of sexual control.
2) Mauna is a vow of silence. Gandhi did not speak on Mondays for most of his adult life. People like Maher Baba (who heavily influenced Pete Townshend of The Who) didn't speak for nearly 45 years, and there are many people who take vows of over 10 years.
There seems to be 7 levels of silence:
a) Conquer jealousy
b) Conquer anger
c) Conquer fear
d) Conquer memory
e) Conquer reason
f) Conquer willpower
g) Conquer ego
3) Anasakyana is fasting. Over the past year, I’ve done two fasts. The first, my first, was 30 hours, and difficult (I broke it at around 2am. My reptile brain stood me up and walked me to the pizza joint). The second went better, at 40 hours, and broken normally.
4) Vanaprastha is seclusion or withdrawal from social interaction.
I have definitely lost weight since I became a vegetarian. Mostly fat but definitely some muscle as well. I eat about 3 eggs a day on average, and try to drink 2-3 cups of milk per day for protein. This is helping stave off muscle loss. I take a one-a-day multivitamin, so I am confident that I’m getting my vitamins and minerals.
I have a reputation for being a nuclear reactor regarding producing heat. I literally wear T-shirts in the winter, and never wear a coat. However, over the past year, I’ve been running less warm. I feel this is a good thing, because summers used to be awful for me, where I literally did not sleep for days during a heat wave. Last summer was far more reasonable. All in all I’d say this is a good thing.
I’m also happy with knowing that I’m really saving many animals. The thought that something had to die so I can eat is pretty much the epitome of selfish, especially since nearly none of us actually kill what we eat. (I have also said that I will eat meat only if I myself kill the animal.)Lastly, I’ve noticed that my spiritual growth accelerated this year, more than any other. No sure if they are related.
One problem I’ve had is that I still don’t eat healthy enough. When you think about it, one can be a vegetarian and eat very, very poorly. My goal this year is to start eating more healthy.
All in all, I have no intention on going back, but really do need to figure out how to get more protein.
Last May, I started taking only cold showers. At first it was quite difficult, and it took about a month to work up to 3.5 minutes, which is more than sufficient. (I have no idea how people can take 10 to 20 minute showers. Showers use about 7-10 gallons of water per minute. Tens of millions of people do not have access to safe water, so conserve it!) Now, in the middle of winter, my showers last about 3 minutes. In New York City, the water temperature in January and February averages 38 degrees, and I assume the water temperature in the shower is only slightly higher.
After learning of my cold shower routine, most people ask me “why?” and I can understand. There are many benefits to taking cold showers:
• Cold showers really cool your body off. After even a 2 minute cold shower, you will feel cool and calm for at least an hour, even in the dog days of summer.
• Cold showers feel great, after the first 20-30 seconds. It’s a euphoric, healthy feeling probably because of the blood circulating toward the heart, and then back out again after the shower.
• It keeps the length of showers down, saving time, money, and the environment.
• You actually get used to it, and it becomes easier and easier. Even after only a week, it’s really nothing special.
• Cold showers increase mental toughness, according to a study at the University of Hull (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/4172097.stm).
• Immersion in cold water, according to German doctors at Herzog-Julius Hospital, reduces chest infections and seems to help patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Some doctors also recommend ice-water treatment for those with anxiety. (http://www.sqjh.me.uk/squaddiejh/cold.htm)
I can certainly warrant that the first minute or so of a cold shower is uncomfortable. But one you break though that moment and embrace it, one becomes quite liberated and begins to enjoy it. Start slow!