"I plant seeds of peace in the minds of people.
Live what we want people to learn."
- Arun Gandhi
In the world's calamitous, pernicious descent into a culture of violence, the powerful words of peace shared this morning by Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, were a light in the darkness. They sparked a new hope for the more than 100 people gathered this morning at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Vancouver, WA, to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mr. Gandhi shared his grandfather's ardent passion for non-violence, and discussed the many ways in which it unfolds in our lives, including global non-militarism, alleviating world poverty which breeds violence, educating those marginalized by poverty, eliminating the "competition" among religions, and developing attitudes of mutual respect.
He told the story of the late Dr. King's night in the museum where he slept in Gandhi's room for spiritual inspiration. That night changed the world for a new generation.
He said he was building on his grandfather's teaching of non violence, which calls for an individual choice to live lives of peace rather than a legislated obedience. Ultimately, he said, peace is an attitude of love.
Mr. Gandhi is an ardent defender and advocate for the children of abuse, hunger, exploitation and trafficking.
Please go to his Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute website, to support his urgent mission.
Thank you to First Congregational United Church of Christ for Arun Gandhi's presence this morning. Thank you also to the Wholistic Peace Institute for hosting Arun Gandhi and other presentations in the Portland area.
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