Courage and Theft - 2

Theft:

What should we mean by theft? Is it just stealing somebody’s thing? Is it just connected with a criminal whom cops look for?

Gandhi gives a stricter meaning to theft. I am referring to Mangalprabhat – page 15-11. Here Gandhi talks about concept of “ASTAY” – “Not to steal”. Gandhi says that normal notion is that a thief cannot practice truth and love. Yet if we evaluate, we are to some or greater extent involved with some or other kind of theft. How?

For example: if we pick up something not belonging to anybody – Gandhi calls such an action – “Theft”. The concept does not restrict to picking up things – but goes beyond that in a sense keeping or hoarding things not needed is theft. According to Gandhi eating more then necessary is theft ! We expand our needs beyond our necessities. So unknowingly we become thieves.

Gandhi points out towards introspection. He is asking us to evaluate. He is asking us to evaluate our needs. Gandhi points towards a vow of “Astay”.

He says if you take such a vow - you will find constricting your needs. You won’t need to worry about your future and cultivate a tendency to hoard. Gandhi cautions.

He says “Astay” does not mean merely not gathering unwanted things – but not getting attracted by such things. Since the source of all activity is mind. If you are innerly attracted by things that you do not need, if will be difficult for you to control your desire to run after them.

Gandhi extends conceopt of “Astay” to thoughts. He says just as you can steal things – you can even steal thoughts. Branding thoughts of others and proclaiming originality in them is theft.

Gandhi concludes here that somebody vouching “Astay” will be humble, thoughtful, cautious and simple in his lifestyle.

My Interpretation of Gandhi’s thoughts:

Prima facie it may be a bit difficult to accept Gandhi’s thoughts on theft. How come eating more is theft – we may ask?

Probably Gandhi said this at a time when food was scarce in India and lot of people were starving. Today in global context may be this not appealing – nevertheless true.

It is more a question of habits and mind-set rather then measurement of food and its availability.

Why do we buy loans? Are we thrusting into loan based world? Is the decision of loan a good financial decision? Is loan taken for buying house and stuff that increase in value or is it just taken for buying consumables? Are we indeed expanding our wish list without understanding whether the list is rational or not?

May be – these things are important during recession. But should we wait for being chopped off and learn after bruising? Or should we learn before water flows over head?

Are we trying to flaunt big things to our neighbors or relatives or friends? What is the purpose of expenditures? What are we teaching to our children by our conduct?

Gandhi in his life of simplicity and message on theft gives us an economic model. There is no harm in eating good food or dining in a good hotel – if your pockets can afford. But every thing has a balance. Abundance of things don’t necessarily proportionately increase satisfaction and happiness. Rather there is a rule of diminishing returns.

Perhaps understanding Gandhi’s economic model is helpful.