IFPNP international Dialogue :Gandhi’s Worldview

 

IFPNP International Dialogue

 

 

 Gandhi’s Worldview

 By 

 Michael W. Sonnleitner 

 

November 7 to 9, 2024 4.00 pm IST@ Google meet 

 

 

 

Analytical Framework of the Session 

 (Credit to Edwin Fogelman, University of Minnesota)

 

ASSUMPTIONS

                                       Philosophy (Worldview)

BELIEFS

                                                                                         Theory

GOALS

                                                                                                            Ideology

STRATEGIES

 

NOTE: Each of these 4 levels of analysis highlighted with 3 key concepts:

 

1)   Philosophical/Religious   2) Economic   3) Political

 

(This allows for also viewing the 4 levels within the 3 categories.)

 

Key Concepts relating to Gandhi Analyzed:

 

ASSUMPTIONS: 1) Rta                    2) The Golden Rule   3) The Law of Karma

BELIEFS:             1) Sat & sat           2) Ahimsa                  3) Tapas

GOALS:               1) Moksha             2) Swadeshi               3) Swaraj

STRATEGIES:    1) Brahmacharya   2) Sarvodaya             3) Satyagraha

 

This Mode of Analysis is comparable to other persons/ideological traditions

 

(such as): John Locke (Traditional Liberalism); Karl Marx (Marxism); Edmund Burke (Organic (Conservativism); Eugene Debs (Democratic Socialism),     Adolph Hitler (Nazism); Usama Ben Laden (Al-kaeda Islam); MLK Jr.   (Militant Nonviolence); Mark Satin (Green Ideology); and many others.

    

 Gandhian Philosophy/WORLDVIEW:

Basic 1) Philosophical, 2) Economic, & 3) Political Assumptions & Beliefs.

 Assumptions

1)  RTA (All that Is Unchanging): Natural & Moral Laws

 

a)    “Maya” (constant change in life’s manifestations)

 

b)   The Life Force:  Purusha Atman & “Soul”

 

c)    Human Nature:  Body, Mind, Emotions, & Soul

 

d)   Advaita & Dvaita: Dialectic of One & Others (Idealism & Materialism)

 

2)  The Golden Rule:

 

a)    Positive & Negative Formulations

 

b)   Categorical Imperative

 

c)    Relationships of People with One Another & with Environment

 

d)   Trusteeship & Private Property

 

3)  The Law of Karma:

 

a)    Individual Level

 

b)   Social Level

 

c)    Historical Perspective

 

d)   Organic Relationship of Means to Ends.

 

 

 

BELIEFS:

 

1)  Sat & sat (Absolute Truth & relative truths continuum):

 

a)    Absolute Truth (Truth is God & God is Truth)

 

b)   Relative Truth (Blind Men & the Elephant)

 

c)    Anekantavada (the many-sidedness of truth)

 

d)   Live & Learn (Life’s Purpose; Dharma & Svadharma)

 

         NOTE:  parallel to Brahma/Creator & the Father (in Christian Trinity)

 

2)  Ahimsa (Absolute & relative continuum):

 

a)    Perfect Nonviolence

 

b)   Perfect Violence

 

c)    The Continuum (in life, always “Both/And” Non-binary)

 

d)   The Nature of an Ideal

 

         NOTE:  parallel to Vishnu/Maintainer & the Son (in Christian Trinity)

 

3)  Tapas (Voluntary & involuntary continuum):

 

a)    Voluntary Self-Sacrifice as Redemptive

 

b)   Involuntary Poverty & Suffering as Problematical

 

c)    Acting to Reduce Suffering in this World

 

d)   Willingness to Die in order to truly Live

 

         NOTE:  parallel to Shiva/Destroyer & the Holy Spirit (in Christian Trinity)

 

 

GOALS: (added to Philosophy = Theory)

 

1)  Moksha (Self-Realization):

 

a)    Merging with the Ocean, Freedom from Samsara (reincarnation)

 

b)   Enlightenment (understanding relation of Natural & Moral Laws)

 

c)    Servant Leadership (helping others understand Rta & Sat better)

 

d)   Accessing Soul Force:  Daniel in the Lions Den;  E=MCsquared

 

         NOTE:  Similar to but far beyond Maslow’s “Self-Actualization”

 

2)  Swadeshi (Self-Reliance):

 

a)    Individual, Family, Community, National Levels

 

b)   Spinning Wheel Symbolism & Small is Beautiful

 

c)    Economic Empowerment & Decentralization

 

d)   Appropriate Technology:  Goals & Criteria

 

         NOTE: NOT Economic Nationalism, Internationalism, or Structuralism

 

3)  Swaraj (Self-Rule):

 

a)    Hind Swaraj (Home Rule) & Self-Respect

 

b)   Village Rule (Participatory Democracy)

 

c)    Individual Level (Personal Responsibility)

 

d)    Ram Rajya (The Kingdom of God)

 

         NOTE:  Is Gandhi ultimately an Anti-Statist if not an Anarchist?

 

 

STRATEGIES: (added to Theory = Ideology)

 

1)  Brahmacharya (Learned of God)

 

a)    Practice the 5 Yogic Yamas & 5 Niyamas (not only Celebacy)

 

b)   Cultivate Non-Attachment (to results/Ends: focus on Means)

 

c)    Utilize one’s distinctive Path: Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Raja

 

d)   Engage in Personal Renunciation (the 4^th Stage of Life)

 

NOTE:  Gandhi was mainly a Karma Yogi, with some other elements.

 

2)  Sarvodaya (Welfare of All)

 

a)    Develop & Engage in Constructive Programs of Empowerment

 

b)   Promote Community (transcending Gender, Race, Caste, or Class)

 

c)     Educate Oneself & Others via Respectful Communication

 

d)    Be the Change you want to see in this world

 

         NOTE:  This is neither Liberal Utilitarianism nor wedded to Traditions.

 

3)  Satyagraha (Holding firm the Truth/changing over time)

 

a)    Rooted in Gandhian Philosophy/World View (review)

 

b)   Strengthened in association with Brahmacharya & Sarvodaya

 

c)    Nonviolent Resistance undertaken to achieve greater Swaraj

 

d)   SEE: “Guidelines for Satyagraha”

 

NOTE: Distinct from MLK’s “Militant Nonviolence” & other traditions.

 

 

Michael Warren Sonnleitner 

Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas, USA (July 11, 1949).

(“maiden” name before 1983 marriage: “Johnson”); Wife: Kristine; Children: Margarita, Sonrisa, Shaman, Mira.

Home Address: 1037 S.E. 80 th Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97216-3010. Home Phone: 503-285-5827.

Personal email: soulom2u@hotmail.com PCC email: michael.sonnleitner@pcc.edu Cell Phone: 971-988-2427.

EDUCATION: PH.D. University of Minnesota (Minneapolis): March, 1979. M.A. March, 1976.

Major: Political Science; Supporting Program: India/China Area Studies.

Examination Areas: U.S. Constitutional Law, History of Political Thought, Comparative Political Systems.

Dissertation: Soul Force & Social Change according to Mohandas K. Gandhi & Martin Luther King Jr.

(Lambert Academic Publishing: Latvia, EU, 2019.) ISBN#: 9786200314185.

B.A. Whitman College (Walla Walla, Washington): June, 1971 (Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude,

with Honors in Political Science & transfer credits from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee).

High School Diploma Highline High School (Burien/South Seattle/SeaTac, Washington): June, 1967.

Elected Trustee (Zone 3), Portland Community College Board of Directors (2015-2023).

Co-Chair, PCC Board Committee on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (2018-20); Vice-Chair,

PCC Board of Directors Audit Committee (2018-21); Oregon Community College Board representative (2020-2023).

Portland Community College: RETIRED Full-Time Political Science Instructor: 27 years (1988-2015).

NOTE: Originally hired as full-time to a split-appointment, I have taught courses at PCC Sylvania (1988-2003),

PCC Rock Creek (1988-2011), PCC Cascade (2000-2015), and PCC S.E. (2004-2007 & 2013-15).

2007-2023: Portland State University: Graduate-level courses taught part-time for the M.A. Program in Conflict

Resolution; Undergraduate courses also for Political Science Department

1985-1987: University of Northern Iowa: full-time assistant Professor of Political Science.

1984-1985: Loyola University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago; Northwestern Illinois University: part-time Instructor of Political Science teaching Judicial process, U.S. Security Policy, Politics of China &; Japan.

1979-1983: Illinois Wesleyan University: full-time Assistant Professor of Political Science.

1973-1979: University of Minnesota (Minneapolis): Teaching Assistant & part-time Instructor of Political Science.

FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR in India: six months (November 29, 2009 to May 29, 2010).

PROJECT TITLE: “Teaching Peacebuilding for Social & Structural Change in Multicultural Societies & a Multipolar World”.

COURSES TAUGHT: (at St. Thomas College, Palai, Kerala): Gandhian Thought; American Government; International Issues.

(at Mahatma Gandhi University): International Relations: Theory & Practice; Nonviolent Action.

Other Training/Travel Experiences:

Ten weeks in India: participating in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, teaching “Gandhian Nonviolence & lecturing: Jan-March, 2023.

Five weeks in India: lecturing on Gandhi & participating in a re-enactment of the Salt March of 1930: Feb-March, 2020.

Two weeks at a China Seminar at the East-West Center (University of Hawaii-Manoa) Title VII Grant: Summer, 2013.

Fulbright Scholar returning to the U.S. via Italy (one month), Israel & Palestine (one month), & Egypt (one month): 2010.

Invited Scholar to the International Association of Gandhian Studies Conference in New Delhi: 1987.

Delegate to the UNICEF International Seminar on Training for Nonviolent Action (3 weeks in Mexico): 1977.

Summer Peace Internship working with kids during the “troubles”: Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland (2 months): 1974.

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship: to study "Experiments in Nonviolent Action" in India (6 months), & 1-4 weeks in Japan,

Hong Kong, Thailand, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Republic of S. Africa, Italy/Sicily, & Great Britain: 1971-72.

Exchange student attending Fisk University in Nashville, TN: autumn of 1969.

U.S. Senate Internship (in Washington, D.C. Office of U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson): Summer, 1969.

Orchard worker at Auvil Fruit Company, Orondo, Washington (with migrant workers): 15 summers during 1962-1981.

Other Awards/Honors:

Invited Keynote Speaker for Centennial Celebration at Gujarat Vidyspith (Ahmedabad, India): January 10, 2023.

Elected President, Peace & Conflict Studies Consortium (Pacific Northwest regional association): April, 2007-2010.

Outstanding Faculty Person of the Year Award (Portland Community College, Rock Creek ASPCC): 2006.

Male Faculty of the Year Award (Portland Community College, Rock Creek ASPCC): 2000.

Nominee for Portland Community College Faculty Excellence Award: 1992, 1998, 2003.

Excellence in Teaching Award: Illinois Wesleyan University: 1982

All-expenses fellowship grant for graduate study in Political Science at the University of Minnesota: 1972-75.

Ford Foundation Graduate School Fellowship recipient at the University of Minnesota: 1972-75.

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to study ‘Experiments in Nonviolent Action” abroad: 1971-72.

Sloan Foundation Scholarship recipient at Whitman College: 1968-71.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN OREGON:

82nd Ave. Improvement Coalition (June of 2014-2023): Coordinating Committee member & member of the 82 nd Ave.

Business Association Board (2018-present); successfully lobbied for a $200,000 study

funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation and jurisdictional transfer to the Portland Bureau of Transportation in 2022.

Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (2007-2020): formerly the “New Sanctuary Movement”; helped to

develop support networks for undocumented persons; seeking meaningful

immigration reform via educational actions; achieved passage of the expanded Oregon Sanctuary Act in 2021.

Ascension Catholic Church (2004-2020): assisting my wife in providing occasional educational programs as well as participating in various fundraising efforts (like the annual Spaghetti Dinner), and service activities associated with the Daybreak Homeless Shelter Network. Now also attending St. Anthony Catholic Church.

Daybreak Homeless Shelter Network (2004-2017): assisting houseless families in S.E. Portland in a variety of ways; moving beds, serving meals, sleeping overnight, playing with kids, and helping to

provide bus/van transportation between the day shelter and Ascension Church as part of the rotating evening host institution.

Montavilla Neighborhood Association (January of 2014-2017): regularly attending meetings, Chair of the Board (2015-16), otherwise Vice Chair. Became more involved in the neighborhood where my family lives, on issues ranging from land use to transportation, affordable housing and crime issues.

S.E. UPLIFT (March of 2014-2016): attending meetings, serving as an active Board member (at large), having also gone to meetings of most of the 20 neighborhood associations with members elected to the S.E. Uplift Board as a means of facilitating communications and action among groups with common community concerns.

PCC PACS Program (1990-2015): facilitated establishment of Portland Community College (PCC) Peace & Conflict Studies (PACS) Program (1988-90), the first at any community college in the U.S.; PACS Program

Chairperson or Co-Chairperson (1990-present); NEWSPEAK coordinator, fostering weekly &free speech; events at Sylvania Campus (1998-2003), setting similar traditions Rock Creek (2004-2011), and at Cascade (2004-2005 & 2011-2015).

PCSC (1988-2017): Peace & Conflict Studies Consortium (previously the Oregon Peace Studies Consortium): Board member representing the PCC PACS Program (2004-2015), helping organize annual regional gatherings and two national conferences; serving as President (2007-2010).

DaVinci Middle School (1998-2002): was among the 20 founding families who created, organized, and functionally serving as the staff for this Arts Magnet Charter School within the Portland Public School (PPS)

District; also served on a PPS Committee to set up criteria to review applications to such all schools.

Foster Parent Program (1998-2000): my wife & I were trained as foster parents under emergency conditions, providing a home to an undocumented teenager, who we later supported to complete her high school and community college degrees, gain dual U.S./Mexican citizenship, and Margarita became a daughter to us.