Gandhi's Way: A Handbook of Conflict Resolution

This book may be easy to read, but the underlying philosophy is anything but. As you read this book, it is very important to keep in mind that Gandhi's means were his goals, his determination was the process, and his Truth openly subject to change. So unlike what we do in our conflict resolutions today, he never applied a tactic or a strategy to achieve a predetermined goal. Gandhi typically started a process to find the Truth and he was adamant in his process, but never stubborn on the goal itself. I found his imaginary conversations fascinating, especially the one with Sigmund Freud about "Reality" vs. "reality." I also believe that familiarity with the Bhagavad Gita, the spiritual scripture that Gandhi recited on a daily basis will help better grasp his way and the author's point.

It's unfortunate that the people who have read this book do not really understand what nonviolent conflict resolution is about. Most of the readers, I suspect, think like most Americans that if something doesn't work in 5 easy steps, then it doesn't work at all. Many people argue that nonviolence practice doesn't work. Who says so? And, when does violence work? It may appear to work, but it is a temporary solution that always leads to more complicated (and more violent) conflicts. Nonviolence often takes more time and effort to work, but its results are long-lasting. The Hitler argument doesn't hold up either. How do we know it wouldn't work? There are a few cases of nonviolent opposition to the Nazis that were successful. But, not many people know about them, because any evidence that points to the achievements of nonviolence are often hidden away. Why? Because it threatens the system of violence that society has worked very hard to brain-wash us into believing. To those who want to argue at the futile quality of Nonviolence, one should ask: Do you submit to every idea or notion just because the majority has accepted it as true? If there weren't those who were brave enough to challenge convention we'd still believe the world was flat or that the sun revolved around the earth. There must be those pioneers who are willing to live by a new belief to change the world. This book is one of those to support a new way of perceiving and living a better life.

I found this book more than a guide to resolving conflicts, but a practical insight into how we can bring Gandhi's philosophy into everyday life. Gandhi is a hard act to follow, but this book makes that dream possible for anyone, today! You can be a fighter without being violent, for example. Also, by briefly exploring the thinking of other greats, such as Freud and Marx, Fighting with Gandhi allows one to enter into a personal journey with the greatest thinking of our time. You'll learn about yourself reading this book.