Customer Reviews

Non-Violent Resistance (Satyagraha)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I learned a great deal from Mahatma Gandhiji (1869-1948) by reading NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE. This book is a collection of articles written at the hand of Gandhiji for the magazines "Young India" and "Harijan". In addition, there are some interviews. The term Satyagraha was authored by Gandhiji to describe the process of non-violent resistance. Satyagraha has as its goal reform. It requires a great deal of discipline on the part of the participants. It also requires an opponent that is capable of reform. I have been applying what I have learned from this book in an attempt to reform myself. If you are interested in the life of Mahatma Gandhiji, or in the process of non-violent resistance, this book will be interesting to you.

I liked this book because it makes Gandhi's ideas concrete and specific. He talks about how to handle specific situations, and explains his thinking - for example, his view of picketing. Specific examples of how to handle specific situations give you more insight into what non-violent resistence and non-cooperation really mean as applied to real life situations. After reading this book, you have a much better sense of how to apply Gandhi's ideas, versus just an overview of his ideas as abstraction.

So very few books could boast truly world-changing ideas like this one. The effects of Ghandi's teachings have of course spread far beyond the struggles in South Africa and India to the civil rights movement in the US and more. Non-violence has never been weighed and found wanting, it has been weighed, found difficult and ignored. But, in the end, the way that looks easier, the way of violence, is the truly hard path to follow. What seems the longest road is not necessarily the most difficult to travel. We all need to review Ghandi from time to time and regain that other path away from self-destruction.

While I agree with previous reviewers that the writing quality on this book is not the best, I have to admit the insight is amazing. Gandhi's ideals are an inspiration in my life and I am anxious to keep reading his work.

Though not a perfect spokesperson for the human race - he asserts that Buddhists cannot be non-violent satyagrahis because they don't believe in God (!) - there is one line in the openning page that sums up his entire stance for me: we are not competent to punish each other e.g. we are not all-knowing Gods. The book challenges the reader via his written words of defiance in a world addicted to violence.

Now with everything that is happening ; the Arab Spring, the Wall Street Occupation, the World Revolution in general, I find reading Gandhi's Satyagraha extremely crucial for the peoples to make sure that everything goes for the betterment of humanity.

What is really amazing about this book, and I consider it a political one, is that it's mainly dedicated for spirituality! This makes perfect sense. If you are not pure in the soul you cannot really adopt the method of non-violent resistance effectively.

The Satyagraha is very simple in theory, Gandhi is right in saying that you can teach it to a 6 year-old child! But it's extremely tough to put it into practice.

Yesterday I was bullied by some twitter follower because I said I liked the book. I don't think I was successful in remaining all calm and peaceful when responding to him! lol :-)

I promise to try harder next time.
One more thing; the book is kinda repetitive.. just saying!

This was one of the few books I found on Amazon regarding the subject of resisting a system. I find it a tough read, because of the author (Gandhi himself) has a writing style I find unexciting. The book started with a very methodical explanation of what Satyagraha is, and inserts transcripts of hearings before British officials (yawn!). A book I wish I hadn't bought, but your style may be different and you may enjoy it.

I loved this book from cover to cover. It's an amazing story of one man's non-violent battle against the food-arazzi. Okay, truth be told, I skimmed through the first half but the part where Gandhi went on the hunger strike was a total inspiration to me and my Pro Ana group. Gandhi lived his life just like we do...but he did it first! He knew about the evils of food long before it was popular to say so. He starved so that we may starve too. If you ask me Gandhi was like the American Jesus. I think he wore sandals too!! And that's what make him a REAL American hero!!!

P.S. If you get too hungry you can eat this book. LOL. Kidding. Don't eat ANYTHING! EVER!