A Daydream Unlike Others

Daydream (dā‘drēm’) noun: A dreamlike musing or fantasy while awake, especially of the fulfillment of wishes or hopes.

Today, as I followed the latest updates on the tragic events unfolding in Mumbai, I started daydreaming. But not my usual daydreams of love and chocolate (which usually appear in the same daydream together). No, today my daydream was about tranquility. About harmony embracing everyone everywhere, from Sydney to Santiago, Lhasa to Los Angeles. Peace.

I recently finished reading Mahatma Ghandi’s biography by Louis Fischer, and as I watched images of Mumbai’s empty train station scattered with bags flung to the floor and blood stains, I couldn’t help but think of Mahatma. As I watched terrified hotel guests clamber out of their room windows and black smoke billowing above the city’s skyline, Mahatma’s spirit was nowhere to be seen, felt or heard. His philosophy of Satyagraha, of ‘love-force’ and ‘the firmness of truth’ has been lost, thrown to the wind like his ashes were thrown to the rivers of India, Egypt and the Arabian Sea.

But I continue to daydream, and have gathered a handful of his sage tips that, who knows, may inspire and ignite a reawakening.

1. ‘The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.’ Undoubtedly, the actions of those who have shaken Mumbai to its core have provoked anger and sentiments of revenge. But fighting evil with evil will simply create a vicious, inconclusive circle. We need to learn lessons from this negative experience and move forward to rebuild, not remain paralyzed by hate.

2. ‘You must be the change you want to see in the world.’ It is no wonder that President-elect Barack Obama is moving into the White House in January, as he reflects an intangible sentiment which is starting to sweep across everywhere from New York to Nairobi. People are gradually starting to change how they think, and this is helping them change how they feel and consequently what actions they take. In the illuminating words of E. Nina Rothe, ‘It [may be] only the power of one, but when you multiply one by a few, it becomes the power of many.’ Every single tree–even the largest–grows out of a tiny seed.

3. ‘Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.’ When your thoughts, actions and word are aligned, you feel genuine, powerful and content with your purpose in life. Freeing yourself from hate, jealousy and greed and turning to purity of thought will help you achieve an inner balance. Always be true to yourself.

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