IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GANDHI: Conversations with Spiritual Social Activists

by Catherine Ingram ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 28, 1990

Original and wide-ranging interviews with 12 leading spiritual/social leaders--including this year's Nobel Peace Prize-winner, the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Cesar Chavez, and Ram Dass. Free-lance journalist Ingrain offers concise biographical and scene-setting introductions to each interview; the first conversation, with the Dalai Lama, sets the theme with his first response: ""I feel that the essence of spiritual practice is your attitude toward others."" The other interviewees elaborate on this idea, touching upon how religious teachings in general and the example of Gandhi in particular have guided their actions (""Maybe I wouldn't be a nonviolent advocate and fanatic if it hadn't been for Gandhi, because up until then it really was dreams and talk,"" says singer/activist Joan Baez), and discussing specific spiritual applications in their work (""I've read that you pray everyday for Pik Botha and his colleagues,"" asks Ingram of Desmond Tutu. ""Where do you find your source for forgiveness?""; to which Tutu replies, "". . .we are told that God will forgive us only to the extent that we are willing to forgive others. It isn't easy. I mean, you can get very, very upset, especially when you see that the system of apartheid attacks not just you but your family""). Talks with Thich Nhat Hanh, Gary Snyder, Joanna Macy, A.T. Ariyaratne, David Steindl-Rast, Diane Nash, and Mubarak Awad round off Ingram's inspiring collection.

Pub Date: Feb. 28, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Parallax

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1990

Categories: NONFICTION