“Nothin’s Gonna Harm You,” unless you let it

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How could I not write after watching Ghandi, the movie? There are many emotions that can consume us and control us if we let them. All of the negative emotions stem from fear and all of the positive ones come out of love. Ultimately, there are only those two emotions, fear and love. Almost all spiritual and thought provoking texts will mention this.

I am going to focus on revenge, specifically because it is one of the issues that is displayed in Ghandi, the movie, however there are many more, such as the unacceptance of other’s differences. If we were to look inside another person or witness the emotions within, we would realize that they are the same as us. We are all human, we all feel, we all desire, we all hurt, we all hope, etc.

Revenge is a heavy burden for anyone to place upon himself. I’d like to use Sweeney Todd as an example for I think he fits perfectly here. Ghandi preached about non-violence all the time, regardless of what action was taken towards you. Revenge is an emotion that one would have to let go of in order to live a life of non-violence, and that is what Sweeney Todd could not do.

He was innocently wronged by the more wealthy, privileged, and power hungry inhabitants of his town and therefore was taken away from his life, his wife and daughter, all that made him happy for many years. When he returns, his heart is full of revenge and his eyes can only see the means to destroying, literally killing, those who have wronged him. He sings, “There’s a hole in the world like a great black pit/ and it’s filled with people who are filled with shit/ and the vermin of the world inhabit it- but not for long! They all deserve to die!”

It is these types of thoughts that end up destroying people, entire masses of people. Ghandi believed that everyone is equally worthy of love and that love was the only way to truly end violence, injustice, and greed. He said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” The person who attempts to get revenge on another is only seeing through that revenge and what will that cause? Destroying someone else’s happiness or quite literally, another’s life, doesn’t make the injustice done in the past go away. It merely makes it stronger, and happiness that could have been restored withers away because it is not given any thought.

Sweeney Todd ended up killing his wife, almost killing his daughter, and he also died himself, though he got his revenge. Truly, was it worth it? If you haven’t watched the musical, I would recommend it, though I would recommend watching the original first before the movie. Keep an open mind through the drastic absurdity within it for there are many profound themes which will make you think as well as keep you entertained. As for Ghandi, I would strongly recommend it for all who believe in peace, justice, and love. I vote for Ghandi as president…hmmm, an interesting change our world would experience…one we need, one we have always needed, and NOW it is time.

(Sweeney Todd) For what’s the sound of the world out there?

(Sweeney Todd) It’s man devouring man, my dear.

And even today still, it will only stop if we refuse to allow it.

“The only devils in the world are running around in our own hearts.” ~Ghandi