1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Story of My Experiments with Truth
The Story of My Experiments with Truth is Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography. It covers his life from childhood to 1921, as he took center stage in India’s struggle for independence from the British Empire. (Shortform note: India gained independence from the British Empire on August 15, 1947, after decades of nonviolent activism and negotiations between the Indian National Congress—which Gandhi led for several years—and the British government.)
The title of Gandhi’s autobiography refers to his search for justice and morality, or what he calls “Truth” with a capital “T.” To Gandhi, Truth was the only god—the supreme and unchanging foundation of morality and justice. His search for Truth led him to practice nonviolence and to lead an austere lifestyle renouncing sex and indulgent food.
(Shortform note: Although Gandhi believed that Truth was the only god, he was raised in the Hindu faith—a religion with many gods and goddesses—and drew inspiration from Hinduism in his spiritual practice. However, his experiments included learning about other religions. This coincides...
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The Story of My Experiments with Truth Summary Gandhi’s Experiments With Truth
Gandhi’s public actions as a political leader and nonviolent activist expressed a private concern: his constant search for justice and morality, or Truth. He argues that he devoted his life to pursuing Truth because it was the only certainty in an uncertain world, and it gave him peace of mind to know that he was always striving for it. This section will explain Gandhi’s efforts to discover Truth through ahimsa (nonviolence) and brahmacharya—the pursuit of enlightenment through purity.
(Shortform note: Gandhi’s experience searching for Truth speaks to a core question of morality: Is it personal or collective? In The Happiness Hypothesis, Jonathan Haidt argues that modern ideas of morality focus on the individual’s freedom to choose the most moral course of action. But the lack of a shared moral framework can make us feel untethered. This might explain why Gandhi thought that the world was so uncertain and why he reached for a universal Truth to feel moored. Haidt also argues we should embrace a morality based on group...
The Story of My Experiments with Truth Summary Gandhi’s Life
Gandhi’s autobiography traces his story from his childhood in Porbandar, India, to his rise as a leader in the independence movement. Throughout his story, he develops his values and constructs his philosophy of seeking Truth through nonviolence and purity, culminating in putting those values and beliefs into practice through his activism.
Childhood in India
In this section, we'll recount Gandhi's early years in India. We’ll further explore some of the formative events of his childhood and teenage years, including his marriage at age 13 and his time spent nursing his sick father.
Growing up in Porbandar
Mohandas Gandhi was born in 1869 in Porbandar, India. (Shortform note: Although the world knows him as Mahatma Gandhi, his given name was Mohandas. He received the honorific Mahatma, a Sanskrit word meaning great soul, in recognition of his activism for his fellow Indians. To avoid confusing him with his parents, we’ll refer to him as Mohandas when describing his early life.)
He explains that his parents’ religious faith and values profoundly influenced him. For example, his mother, Putlibai Gandhi, impressed her son with her religious commitment to...
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Shortform Exercise: Reflect on Gandhi’s Life and Pursuit of Truth
Gandhi’s autobiography gives a peek behind the curtain of his nonviolent activism. Think about what you’ve read and how it might change your views on Gandhi and his activism.
How familiar were you with Gandhi before reading this guide? What was your impression of him?
