BECOMING GANDHI

Is it possible to live a moral life in these immoral times??

These days it often seems that the human race has lost its moral compass. Who can we turn to for inspiration? Where are the mentors and role models representing a dedication to higher standards of integrity? Perry Garfinkel, author of the bestselling BUDDHA OR BUST and a New York Times contributor, looks to Mahatma Gandhi for direction. More than ever, we need to follow Gandhi's example and "be the change." But how? Garfinkel will conduct an "experiment with truth" and follow Gandhi's six main principles, literallyand live them on a daily basis: truth, non-violence, vegetarianism, simplicity, faith and celibacy. He will turn to Gandhi and the body of writing he left behind, "a virtual how-to instructional on living a virtuous life, one man's guide to moral integrity followed by many people around the worldbut not enough." With Gandhi as our guide, Garfinkel will examine his own beliefs and intentions, and work on cleaning up habits in practice and in thought. The hope is to become a better version of oneself. Garfinkel will travel to locations of importance to the Mahatma and places that changed him. From Porbandar, where Gandhi was born in 1869 and where his philosophy took root; to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where Gandhi was thrown off a train, motivating him to enact his first protests and give rise to the birth of nonviolent resistance; to London, where Gandhi became intensely involved with the London Vegetarian Society. Garfinkel will learn to use the spinning wheel and how to wear a dhoti as Gandhi did, to express the simplicity of his life, "reducing himself to zero." Culminating in walking Gandhi's 240-mile Salt March, the Dandi March, which added momentum for the push to achieve India's sovereignty, Garfinkel will examine the historical and metaphorical meaning of the march for independence. While looking at Gandhi's example as a model of hope, BEING GANDHI will seek to inspire and influence others to look within to change.