Nervous Lawyer to Peaceful Refuser
“The turning point in the lives of those who succeed, usually comes at the moment of some crisis through which they are introduced to their “other selves’.” – Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
(Excerpts from The Essential Gandhi- An Anthology Edited by Louis Fischer Random House, NY 1962)
[When Gandhi landed at Durban, Natal, in May, 1893 his mission was simply to win a lawsuit, earn some money and perhaps, at long last start his career. The lawsuit required Gandhi’s presence in Pretoria, the capital of Transvaal. First-class accommodations were purchased for him at Durban, where he boarded the train for the overnight journey.]
The train reached Maritzburg, the capital of Natal, at about 9 P.M. [A white man entered the compartment] and looked me up and down. He saw that I was a “colored” man. This disturbed him. Out he went and came in with one or two officials. They all kept quiet, when another official came to me and said, “Come along, you must go to the van [third class] compartment.”
“But I have a first-class ticket, said I.
“That doesn’t matter,” rejoined the other. “I tell you, you must go to the van compartment.”
“I tell you, I was permitted to travel in this compartment at Durban and I insist on going on in it.”
“No you won’t, said the official.” You must leave the compartment or else I shall have to call a police constable to push you out.”
“Yes you may. I refuse to get out voluntarily.”
The constable came. He took me by the hand and pushed me out. My luggage also was taken out… and the train steamed away. I went and sat in the waiting room…
It was winter, and winter in the higher regions of South Africa is severely cold. Maritzburg being at a high altitude, the cold was extremely bitter. My overcoat was in my luggage but I did not dare to ask for it lest I might be insulted and assaulted once again. [So] I sat and shivered. There was no light in the room… Sleep was out of the question.
I began to think of my duty. Should I fight for my rights or go back to India or should I go on to Pretoria without minding the insults and return to India after finishing the case? It would be cowardice to run back to India without fulfilling my obligation. The hardship to which I was subjected was superficial- only a symptom of the deep disease of color prejudice. I should try, if possible, to root out the disease and suffer hardships in the process. Redress for wrongs I should seek only to the extent that would be necessary for the removal of the color prejudice.
…This resolution somewhat pacified and strengthened me but I did not get any sleep.
…I suffered further insults and received more beatings on my way to Pretoria. But all this only confirmed me in my determination.
Thus…I obtained full experience of the condition of Indians in South Africa. [Many years later in India, Dr. John R. Mott, a Christian missionary, asked Gandhi, “What have been the most creative experiences in your life?” In reply, Gandhi told the story of the night in Maritzburg Station.]"
A “creative experience”. Did Gandhi create at the Maritzburg Station or did he awaken to an inner knowing; a determination and courage that it was time to make a decision that would forever alter the course of his life? Is this type of insight part of the creative process unfolding in our lives? Can we do anything to speed it along?
I am looking for moments of transformation all the time. This search is a double-edge sword. On the one hand, the search keeps me curious and captivated by inspiring stories such as this one, looking for magic in everyday life. Sometimes with a massive telescope scouring the heavens and everything under the sun for a glimpse of reality, other times with a high-powered microscope dissecting moments into infinitesimal units of meaning that jives with my worldview, never satisfied with a moment that feels stagnant and juiceless.
On the other hand, the search itself keeps me from experiencing and appreciating what is right in front of me. Noticing the cheeky sparkle in my children’s eyes when I drop them off at school, or the sweet music I hear when I tap on the keyboard with my two index fingers as I write these words. There is a constant undulation between wanting more and being in a state of gratitude for what I have. Is this okay? When I surrender to the movement of these two forces in my life, whichever one shows up, everything feels easier. Did Gandhi muster up the courage to forge ahead or did he just say "yes" to the force that said it’s time to move?
The Superman Effect continues to be an experiment, an exploration into life’s mysteries. The journey of remembering who we really are has no end. I don’t have answers today. Besides, questions are much more fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment