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Yoga of Renunciation
Studying the works of Gandhi as well as reading the Yogi of Renunciation has been enlightening to me as an individual. Not so much in what I have learned but realizing how much I don’t know. Two weeks and a few pages of text is not enough time for me to formulate educated opinions on something as complicated as the writings of Gandhi and the Bhagavad Gita. These have been and still are studied by scholars worldwide. I have made my best attempt at outlining my understanding of the Yoga of renunciation. With more study my views and opinions could and probably would change drastically.
If I could point to one major theme of Gandhi’s interpretation of Yoga of renunciation it would have to be Self-Realization. By cultivating ones inner self a person would be motivated to perform outward deeds in a manner consistent with truth. I believe through ones self denial or renunciation Gandhi believed that true self-realization could be achieved. The self denial would in fact become service to others.
While I agree with the the majority of Yoga of renunciation, I believe they highlight the internal truth Gandhi was seeking. Gandhi believed in the dignity of man through, love and tolerance. His life was guided by a search for truth. He encouraged everyone to achieve truthfulness in thought, word and deed. One could only know truth through concern for and tolerance of others. By achieving self renunciation or truth as an individual the motivation for action would be for truth and not personal gain.
By utilizing the principles of renunciation Gandhi was able to succeed in many of his movements and political actions he took. He believed that world suffering must occur and that as an individual he must endure suffering to understand suffering. And since I understand renunciation to be self denial it was through this renunciation of worldly goods and desires that Gandhi sought truth. While I believe Gandhi understood...