Wellbeing Consultant and Dru Yoga Teacher Trainer

A Call to Action: from personal responsibility to global empowerment, by Savitri MacCuish, Mansukh Patel, and Andrew Wells

The problems of the world today may sometimes seem unsurmountable: terrible natural disasters, the ravages of poverty and the pervasive fear generated by global terrorism... How can we as individuals make any difference in the face of such huge challenges?

In ‘A Call to Action’, Mansukh Patel, Savitri MacCuish and Andrew Wells tackle this question head on, taking Gandhi’s Seven Laws of Society as the basis for a dynamic analysis of how we can meet this crisis in a constructive way.

Mansukh Patel was brought up with the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. His parents had worked with Gandhi in India and instilled in the young Mansukh many of these teachings, together with their own profound indigenous spirituality.

Therefore, Mansukh brings insights of his own to this presentation of the 7 greatest pitfalls that that societies can fall under. Along with Savitri MacCuish and Andrew Wells he then goes on to suggest specific solutions for those who want to help build a better world.

The 7 pitfalls:

1.    Pleasure without Conscience

2.    Knowledge without Character

3.    Wealth without Work

4.    Politics without Principles

5.    Religion without Sacrifice

6.    Science without Humanity

7.    Commerce without Morality

1. Pleasure without Conscience
This is a pitfall common to us all – that tendency to desire things that do not help us! Rather than focusing on what we may need to give up, Mansukh Patel and his colleagues explore ways in which we can take pleasure and joy in ways of thinking and acting that uphold the highest, in ourselves and others.

2. Knowledge without Character
This is all about wisdom. Rooted in the indigenous wisdom passed on to him through his parents, Mansukh shares ancient solutions to some of the very modern dilemnas we face. This includes specific practical lessons we can apply in youth education.

3. Wealth without Work
So often we lose out on life’s greatest treasures through our pursuit of financial security. On our deathbed we are very unlikely to wish we had worked harder – instead, so many people wish they had spent more time with their family, relaxed more, and seen more of the world perhaps.

In this section, Andrew, Savitri and Mansukh examine how we can become more effective in business through personal success and happiness!

4. Politics without Principles
Exploring the world of politics and decision-making, the authors show how a deep understanding of humanity and unity is crucial for a political process that embraces all. These lessons are relevant to all of us, because we all make decisions from moment to moment, throughout the day. Some of our decisions may only affect one or two people, but with other decisions we can affect the lives of many. With this awareness, and based in the key principle of discrimination, we can ensure that our actions create harmony and unity.

5. Religion without Sacrifice
How often do we make the choice to stretch ourselves? How often do we break through our perceived limitations? In this section, A Call to Action shows how necessary it is for us to step out of our own comfort zone if we really want to make a fulfilling inner connection with the Divine – in whatever form that may be. The key qualities of intuition and truth are discussed.

6. Science without Humanity
Scientists hold an incredible responsibility in our modern society, and Mansukh, Savitri and Andrew encourage every scientist to constantly ask themselves the question: “Does my work promote life or take away from it?” As Mansukh writes, “One day it will be possible to prove to the economic giants that the most profit-enhancing research will be that which shows us how to create personal fulfillment, health and happiness.”

7. Commerce without Morality
So many people get caught in trying to gain more and more wealth, thinking that it will bring happiness and success. In fact, wealth can rarely bring happiness – especially if the means of gaining wealth does not honour and add to the earth. In this chapter, the authors urge us to hold ourselves accountable and ask, “Does what I do add to the overall quality of life on this planet?” If not, then change course quick!

Conclusion
The real power behind this book is that it is the result of the authors’ own experiences. The work of Savitri MacCuish, Mansukh Patel and Andrew Wells takes them around the world, from war zones to the centers of decision-making. They have worked alongside people in societies torn apart by conflict, and spoken at length with business leaders and politicians desperate to bring a greater sense of humanity back into their fields. Thus, they bring to this book the very real understanding that it is possible to make a significant difference to the world in a relatively short time.