ah! Rain!

The Means is the only End.
(an email to some friends on non-violence.)

satyagraha is way beyond a dogmatic position on the use or rejection of physical force, and to focus on just that make it a reductionist discourse. In this respect Krishna in the Mahabaratha and Bruce Lee offer more fluid interpretations of a timeless philosophy. One, (mythic or otherwise) the instigator of the mother of all wars and the other an icon of focussed aggression. to clarify, i don't define define "violence" on the basis of physical force but on the basis of where from the action comes. If it arises from the fragmentation-the illusion of separateness, then even the seemingly noblest of acts is "violence" . And actions from the transcending of this duality is "NON-violence" even if it sometimes causes bloodshed.

satyagraha is not a strategy either. not a means to achieve a desired end. On the contrary, the means is its only end. There can be no metrics to measure if it 'works' , coz there are no expectations of desirable outcomes. Its a state of complete surrender to the larger intelligence that runs our lives (call it "god" if you may). Thats what makes it so difficult to practice it. The problem with movies like 'Lage Raho' or even some of Gandhi's own writings is that it makes it sound like some tool or a tactic to obtain what one wants. This is a gross distortion.

drums, if the movements you mentioned, with all due respect to them, also embrace it in the same spirit, then its not satyagraha at all in my opinion. I might be far removed from ground realities to say for sure, but IF the NBA embraces "non-violence" as a strategy to stop the dam, and expects/desires that the tactic 'works', the same with the Bhopali's as well, if it is being used as a bridge to to try and get their list of demands fulfilled, then am wary of calling it satyagraha. Am not saying that these aspirations are unjustified, but only clarifying some of the meanings i attribute to these words.

Also wanted to point out there are significant differences in our articulation of what the "problem" is. to me it seems like you pin it down to corporations, pollution, caste discrimination, bad politicians etc (correct me plz if thr is mistake here). i pin it down to fragmentation, which automatically results in the ego (hence fear, discrimination etc) and the institutions are mega-structures built on this foundation. while this needs to be tackled at all levels, i feel it needs to be done as whole human beings and not segmental firefighters. The stereotypical pacifist has to grow over his fear and reluctance, and the activist over the rage and righteousness.

There were also some observations on anger being the slow flame that motivates. while am not in favour of suppressing it, it too is a reaction against the what is and hence not constructive. where there is surrender anger is not.

" A few weeks prior to Independence Day of 1947, an emissary of Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel was sent to Gandhi at Calcutta, who was working for peace and harmony among the Hindus and Muslims. The emissary reached at midnight. He said: "I have brought an important letter for you from Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel." "Have you taken your food?", asked Gandhi. When the emissary said " No", Gandhi served him food. And after food, he opened the letter from Nehru and Patel. They had written: "Bapu you are the father of the nation. 15th August 1947, will be the first Independence Day and we want you to come to Delhi to give us the blessings." Gandhi said: " How stupid!. When Bengal is burning, Hindus and Muslims are killing each other and I hear the cries of their agony in the darkness of Calcutta, how can I go to Delhi with the glittering lights?" These were the heart-rending words of Gandhi. He said "I have to live here for the establishment of peace in Bengal and if need be, I have to give up my life for ensuring that there is harmony and peace." The emissary started for his return journey in the morning. It was a moving sight, full of human touch. Gandhi gave the emissary a sendoff. He was standing below a tree. A dry leaf fell from the tree. He picked it up and put it on his palm and said: " My friend, you are going back to Delhi. What gift can Gandhi give to Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel? I am a man without power and wealth. Give this dry leaf to Nehru and Patel, as my first Independence day gift." And when he was saying this, tears came from the eyes of the emissary. And with a sense of humour Gandhi said: " How great is God? He did not want Gandhi to send that dry leaf. He made it wet. It is glistening with laughter. Carry this leaf as a gift full of your tears."

i,i,ii,i isnt it stifling at all!?

Absolutely Clear
Shams al-Din Hafiz

Don't surrender your loneliness
So quickly.
Let it cut more deep.

Let it ferment and season you
As few human
Or even divine ingredients can.

Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft,
My voice
So tender,

My need of God
Absolutely
Clear.