Listen "Be The Change: Living Like Gandhi, with Perry Garfinkel"
Episode Synopsis
What would happen if you tried to live by Gandhi's principles in today's world?In this episode, we welcome journalist and author Perry Garfinkel, who embarked on an extraordinary 18-month journey to follow Mahatma Gandhi's six principles of moral living: truth, nonviolence, simplicity, faith, vegetarianism, and celibacy.Perry's experiment, chronicled in his book Becoming Gandhi, took him across three continents as he literally walked in Gandhi's footsteps, from retracing the famous 240-mile Salt March in India to visiting South Africa where Gandhi spent 20 years developing his strategies of peaceful resistance.With refreshing candor, Perry shares how his "Gandhi Light" experiment transformed his understanding of moral living in our modern world. Rather than making abrupt changes, he discovered the power of "tapering" - gradually reducing behaviors that don't align with your values. From clearing out his closet to examining his relationship with truth, Perry reveals practical ways to incorporate Gandhi's wisdom into everyday life.This conversation explores what it means to "be the change you want to see in the world" beyond the slogan on t-shirts and bracelets. As Perry notes, "If we want the world to change, we have to change ourselves." In an age where moral heroes seem scarce, this episode offers both inspiration and practical tools for anyone seeking to live with greater integrity and intention.You'll Learn:How to apply Gandhi's six principles to modern life through the practice of "tapering" rather than making abrupt changesWhy "living your truth" goes beyond not lying to examining deeper questions about your purpose and identityHow nonviolence extends to self-talk, media consumption, and even the language we usePractical strategies for simplifying your life and reducing attachment to possessionsThe interconnected nature of spiritual principles and how they reinforce each otherHow to notice when you've fallen off your path and develop the discipline to return without self-judgmentWays to begin meaningful personal transformation that can ultimately influence those around youLearn more about Perry:Website Instagram Facebook Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now! Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.comOrder Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes Watch Jessica's TedX TalkMusic credit: Limitless by Bells