“Chasing wealth is not the answer. I’ve crunched the numbers. And sitting in a cheap fishing boat with my family is so much better than sitting on an expensive yacht.”—Nick Offerman
While I joyously soaked in Gandhi’s wisdom during the January retreat in Ahmedabad, India, I also learned about his protégé, Vinoba Bhave, whose book Moved by Love is one of many seeds I brought back with me.
I finished his book yesterday and can genuinely gush that I am now officially a Vinoba Bhave fangirl. He’s most famous for walking the length and breadth of India and inspiring wealthy landowners to give away 4 million acres of land to the less financially fortunate.
But the thing that most moved me was his approach to creating change, starting with a goal of freeing society from the bondage of money. I’m pretty sure Taz had a hand in this book coming my way.
Bhave was very clear that money is incapable of solving problems. Believing it is (and aren’t we sold that story from birth?) blinds us to real possibility. A revolution, he says, needs Spirit, not organization and structure.
One man, rooted in Truth (what Gandhi called ‘soul force’), is all that’s needed for Spirit to move, all that’s needed to create societal change. Bhave’s mission was to root out discrimination of every kind and for wealth and property to be shared by all.
I mean, who doesn’t want that really? It is only fear and our belief that we are separate that keeps that beautiful vision from being a reality.
Bhave was fearless. Because he knew he was more than a body, he had no need to protect it. Again, it’s the polar opposite of how we‘re trained from birth. He was able to give everything he had—his labor, his intelligence, his time and his thoughts–to this magnificent vision because he knew who he represented: the highest spirit in all of us.
Never did he coerce anyone to give up their land. In fact, he made it clear that if privileged landholders didn’t feel inspired to donate a piece of their property, he didn’t want it. He was giving them an opportunity. Because that’s what all of us really want—to give, to love, to make our hearts large enough to include everyone.
I could never repay even a fraction of the blessings I’ve been given in this lifetime, but at least I can share stories like this one. Hope you feel as inspired as I am right now. #222 Forever!
Pam Grout is the author of 20 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World) that has just been turned into an app. Badass ACIM (badass-acim.com)
14 Responses
Thank you, Pam. I’m inspired by You (not the surface-level “Pam”), but the Mahatma that you are. God bless. This opening to the Divine within, it’s so incredible. A great big “Yes” to what you shared: “to give, to love, to make our hearts large enough to include everyone.
Oh my.
All that is true…. He knew he was more than a body so he had no need to protect it….
I feel it, I know it sometimes.
He lived it.
The fear we learn from very young… separation, necessity for money… the illusions that can take over a whole life.
Ah, would that I could be like him.
Thank you for how you’ve introduced him to me, Pam.
Beautiful, your wording.
Ah
Pam, I am inspired. Thank you for sharing this message. Nancy
pamie dearest. i so loved this story about the book and the man who wrote and acted thru love. as always, thank you for sharing the love with us all. namaste.
Thanks Pam. This post has shifted my perspective (like all your posts do). My heart is singing from just reading a few paragraphs from Moved by Love.
Thank you again for such an inspirational blog.
I look forward to this each time.
Brings me so much peace, joy and uplifting spirit.
Namaste my love Pam…….Hedgehog today and so much love to you, Taz and Sharon.
Pam, this is beautiful and a much needed reminder as to who we really “are” and what we aspire to give to each other and our world at large. Many blessings 🙂
Yes I think it is what we all truly want deep down – to enjoy and share in the abundant blessings of this wonderful planet, loving and celebrating each other without fear, discrimination or judgment, and living the truth that there is enough of everything for everyone. If enough of us can believe it’s possible, we can make it the reality, one vision and one step at a time. 🌲🌺🦋
Amen 🙏🏻
Im going to look for that book
Love the title. Thanks for sharing this incredible story with all here🙏💕
Taz is forever shaping your life which ripples out to so many ❤️
Pam, you are so humble and joyous with all that you share. Love flows from your words and messages. Blessings and much love to you and your organisation.
Thank you Pam
Love to you