The fascinating quest of a New York Times contributor to follow Mahatma Gandhi's code of ethics
in modern times-and to discover what it actually takes to "Be the change you want to see in the
world" Mahatma Gandhi championed truth and nonviolence led the struggle for India's
independence and staunchly stood up for the marginalized. "When I despair " he said "I
remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won." In Becoming
Gandhi veteran journalist and author Perry Garfinkel sets out on a three-year quest to
examine how Gandhi's ideals have held up in a world beset by troubling trends. "As I saw myself
and society moving further away from a moral point of view " Garfinkel states "I wanted to see
if an ordinary person living in the 21st century could like Gandhi follow a morally driven
game plan." While tracing Gandhi's legacy through India England South Africa and even
American communities where his spirit endures Garfinkel attempts to follow six of the key
principles that guided the Mahatma's life: . Truth-Practicing honesty in thoughts words and
actions in an increasingly artificial world . Nonviolence-Choosing peace in our words behavior
and even choice of entertainment . Vegetarianism-The complex ethics of deciding what we put in
our mouths . Simplicity-How to find practical antidotes to conspicuous consumer culture .
Faith-Exploring the meaning of our lives and our relationship with what we cannot know .
Celibacy (wait really?)-The search for a moral path between permissiveness and abstinence To
many Gandhi was a beacon of hope to others a lightning rod for controversy. As Perry
Garfinkel found walking (and even stumbling) in Gandhi's footsteps can reveal how we each have
a role to play in creating a more compassionate peaceful world. "Being Gandhi is unattainable
" Garfinkel observes. "But becoming more Gandhi-like will continue to engage me as long as I
live. How about you?"
