Ghandi's Principles

Ghandi's Life Principles

Ghandi lived many of these principles throughout his life and dealt with the challenge and difficulty of trying to live them on a daily basis.  As we reflect on the principles, don't get so caught up on trying to live them, let the idea ruminate and see where it leads you.  Just being aware of them is a good first step. 

• Wealth Without Work.  It's good to earn you bread. There's something deeply satisfying in earning your own way dealing with the struggles and setbacks that makes attaining the goal all the more enjoyable. Hard work and dignity go hand-in-hand.  A little struggle does a body good. 

• Pleasure Without Conscience.  Pleasure with a total focus on oneself and a disregard for others is a path to trouble. We can experience pleasure, fun, and joy in a responsible harmonious manner.

• Knowledge Without Character.  Using our knowledge to make life and the world better for ourselves, the community and the world is the idea.  To use our knowledge for noble means not just personal enrichment. 

• Commerce Without Morality.  Win lose is not the ideal proposition.  Some transactions are indeed one-sided, but those that have a Win/Win foundation and benefit each participant are those that help the individual, the community, and society flourish. Doing business involves many unintended consequences just like life, we just want to avoid the transactions that we know are bad from the start. 

• Science Without Humanity.  How wonderful and powerful science is with the tremendous benefits to mankind and the world. We always need to be mindful of the delicate balance of scientific advancement and impacts to society.   

• Religion Without Sacrifice. Religion has gotten quite a bad rap lately and while religion is a reflection of the actions of it's leaders and members, it is also a philosophy that allows us to explore a world beyond ourselves.  Life involves sacrifices. Friendship, parenting, working, playing sports involves sacrifices.  When we make sacrifices for the greater good, for accomplishing a higher goal than just our own we act from our highest selves.

• Politics Without Principle.  Now this is a tough one.  Principles in politics! Tradeoffs and deals are part of the political landscape but a focus on the common good without knowing your not going to make everyone happy is always a challenge.  As Ghandi learned while trying to unite India. 

All the Best,

Coach K