If you want to win the game, you've got to use a different strategy...

There seems to be this pattern throughout history of 'fighting for peace'.  And we see over and over again that it doesn't work.  It should be obvious to us now that to try to 'beat someone at their own game' just doesn't work.  If we fight a violent oppressor with violence or cheat a corrupt opponent, we will lose every time, because we are playing a game that they know better.  It's better to use a different strategy.

Gandhi took up the tactic of non-violence and renunciation.  He knew that the only way to beat the oppressor was to change the rules of the game.  If they want to use violence, or lie, or cheat, let them.  But I will stay clean and pure.  I will not strike, but I will take a stand and use the power of renunciation.  Through his fasting, he gained attention.  If someone feels so strongly about something that they begin a fast, then others will listen and a movement will start.  Once the movement starts, the media start paying attention.  Soon, what was once a small issue becomes a big issue - what was once a local concern becomes a state-wide, and then national concern.  As support grows, then pressure mounts on the oppressor to say or do something in response. 
Gandhi changed the rules.  He introduced non-violence and renunciation and the oppressor did not know how to beat this sort of tactic.  He used purity to fight corruption and it caught them off guard.  There's a lesson in there - if only we could learn it.

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Ross Galán, NLP Spiritual Life Coach
Spiritual Life Coaching School