Lessons of Faith: Personal Perspective on the Figure of Gandhi

Lessons of Faith: Personal Perspective on the figure of Gandhi

Watching the movie Gandhi, was not merely about watching historical biography but being led into a spiritual state. The political figure, the magnificent religious thinker whose existence was ruled by the truth, prayer, and compassion, appeared in the character of Ben Kingsley in his role as Gandhi. However, the fact that most impressed me was that the spirituality of Gandhi could not be imposed on rituals or even theories; it was what he did daily, even when the circumstances were at their worst.

One aspect that appealed to me is the willingness to nonviolence or ahimsa, given that Gandhi was a believer in nonviolence. I had read it, but this is what the movie made me feel about the meaning of this word. I was interested in knowing how to ever prove so strong when in movie, demonstrators choose to take the violence rather than inflict the same violence. This is not his weakness to display no violence but self-control as a result of a powerful faith that he cannot destroy another human person because he is destroying his soul. Such an opinion prompted me to look at my personal life and my irritation and impatience. The movie helped me to ask myself who I am, out of ego or principle.

The other idea that came into my mind after watching the movie was the principle of satyagraha-truth as the way of life (Attenborough). I was especially impressed by one of the scenes in which he was praying alongside other individuals, whose religious beliefs were different. As opposed to considering religion as the factor that alienates people, Gandhi considers it a unifying factor. His straightforwardness was encouraging because a person accustomed to watching religious divergence being exploited to cause discord in the recent past. It made me forget that being spiritual can bring us together, provided we do it without being extreme.

I also felt his personal discipline. Gandhi's fasting and his simple clothes, combined with his lack of readiness to live a comfortable life, gave me an idea of how, in that way, we are so much dependent on comfort and how easy it is to forget about our purpose. His life experiences demonstrate how unrealistic the idea is that success is the amount of money a person possesses or what position he holds. This was not only inspirational but also uncomfortable in my case, as I had to begin thinking of what matters.

What the movie suggests to me personally these days is a challenge to slow down and challenge the principles behind what we are doing. The life of Gandhi tells us that no government or institution is capable of bringing change because every change is done by individuals who are ready to sacrifice their comfort, their convenience, and unity just to do what their hearts say, and thus, not to split the world into pieces. I have watched the film and struggled to resist the temptation of being more patient, less understanding, and be strong-willed to do the right thing even in difficult circumstances.

Work Cited

Attenborough, Richard. “Gandhi 1982.” Www.youtube.com, 1982, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HT4BM7cgJw.  Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.