Was Ghandi A Yogi?

By: Heather Blanchard

Mahatma Ghandi was born in 1861 in India, and though he started life as a quiet, shy and reserved boy, his Dharma (his purpose) gave him the courage to lead a peaceful crusade that eventually freed millions of Indian people from Brisitsh rule. While Ghandi didn’t have a physical yoga practice, he lived his life with the virtues and principles of a yogi through daily meditation, devotion to God and a daily walking mantra that kept him going even when his life was in danger.

“When you own your breath, no one can steal your peace.” – Mahatma Ghandi

Ghandi graduated from college as an attorney, but at first was so shy he didn’t like having to speak in public inside the courtroom. During the early years of his career, he read a famous Hindu book called the Bhagavad Gita many times. The Gita’s message is how to find your true path and purpose in life, and the importance of following that path, and he most certainly found his.

He was sent to Africa just a few years after practicing law in India to help in the fight for freedom from British Rule, and found great success defending the rights of over 100,000 South Africans before returning to his home country He lived his life there with the virtues of a yogi – living simply, teaching others about the importance of non-violence, practicing daily meditation, ever growing in his faith, and and always seeking truth and righteousness. He didn’t grasp onto anything that wasn’t in line with his path – his Dharma – in order to become the father of freedom for India.

“Strength doesn’t come from physical capacity, it comes from indomitable will.” – Mahatma Ghandi

He was imprisoned many times throughout his all too short life, and his favorite mantra, the repetition of “Rama Nama”, kept him calm and centered in all circumstances. This mantra, which he said silently during daily walking meditations, is a powerful phrase that asks Lord Vishnu to alleviate suffering and give solace to the mind, providing the means to salvation. It was his way to feel protected and closer to God.

“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.” – Ghandi

Ghandi always spoke the truth, was always seeking truth, was forgiving of all enemies, and always followed his path in service to others. And yes, I believe he was a yogi in heart and mind.

“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words, keep your words positive because they become your behavior. Keep you behavior positive because behavior becomes habits. And keep your habits positive because they become your values, and your values become your destiny.” – Mahatma Ghandi