How would Mahatma Gandhi solve the inconsistency in the Message?
I have given a lifetime of thought into how does one live their life in the pursuit of happiness.
There is the thought that we are social creatures and God made us to work together to the betterment of mankind. (the result of which Marxism and socialism gain acceptance). Then there is the individual pursuit of happiness, enshrined in documents such as the declaration of independence and philosophies of Rousseau and many others. This pursuit of individual happiness, or perhaps seeking peace internally is the root of many religions and philosophies, including Science of Mind.
However these two type of philosophies can conflict in very profound ways and thus leaves the individual with an incertitude on how to live one’s life.
I found that these two philosophies, well expressed in Disney’s Lion King Presentation. I wish to present these two conflicting philosophies in light of the study of Mahatma Gandhi and how he might have resolved the inconsistencies.
I will explore what are the Philosophies, how Gandhi evolved into a mystic and using his writings attempt to interpret and resolve the philosophical differences
Hakuna matata v Circle of life
“it’s a worry free philosophy, no more worries for the rest of your life”
Simba is the son of Mufasa, the Lion King of the jungle. Simba is raised to believe he will become king however his task is to take care of the jungle and all those that reside in the jungle. It is his charge to insure that the circle of life is complete and that everyone has their role in their society. Simba’s role is to insure that all life is respected, everyone in the jungle plays their role and that leads to orderly society and prosperity for all. Unfortunately Simba is lead to believe that he caused his father’s death and then is urged by fear of rejection of his family to flee from the society to parts unknown.
Simba stumbles into two characters, Pumba and Timone who teach him that nothing matters but enjoyment of the moment. A worry free philosophy, take care of oneself and everything else will fall in place. We are responsible only for ourselves and our pursuit of happiness.
Simba lives several years with Pumba and Timor until his friend NALA accidently finds Simba as she is hunting for food. Simba’s tribe of lions are now starving due to SImba Uncle, known as SKar, mismanages the jungle. Nala reminds Simba that his role was to take leadership of the tribe and the jungle but by shirking his responsibility, bad management has destroyed the circle of life and now the Hyenas (representing negative beings) have conspired with Skar to usurping the natural order of things.
Simba says that this situation is not his concern, Hakuna matata. (his motivation is shame and not wishing to return to the family and face his faults) Nala is so disappointed she cannot recognize her friend and she heads back to her land to continue to fight for the order of things.
Simba is now caught between what he was taught by his father and what he was taught by Pumba and Timone
Does he go back, face his fear, take his proper place in society and assume his responsibilities or does he continue to live the worry free life with Pumba and Timone?
During my studies on Mysticism I have studied the need to go inside ourselves, and that nothing is more important or matters than the reaching of our soul with God, with the universe, the creator.
All our efforts should be toward understanding ourselves and seeking to reach unity with the One.
This action seems consistent with Hakuna Matata a very individualistic world view, so spiritual that what is happening in the world is not of our concern only our own souls’ journey.
However this individualistic view seems to be contradictory to the circle of life philosophy that we have roles in society as is necessary to continue the existence of the society. I was taught, through family tradition, religious traditions that we must look out for all others that God gave us blessings so that we could share those blessing with the others in our family or community.
It takes a village to raise a child, Hillary Clinton wrote in her book, emphasizing that we owe each other a duty.
