Transformation

Talking in December (1949) at Rajamundy (India), 350 miles north of Madras, he was asked: "You say that man is the measure of the world, and that when he transforms himself the world will be at peace. Has your own transformation shown this to be true?" K replied:

"You and the world are not two different entities. You are the world, not as an ideal, but factually...as the world is yourself, in the transformation of yourself you produce a transformation in society. The questioner implies that since there is no cessation of exploitation, what I am saying is futile. Is that true? I am going around the world trying to point out truth, not doing propaganda. Propaganda is a lie. You can propagate an idea, but you cannot propagate truth. I go around pointing out truth; and it is for you to recognize it or not. One man cannot change the world, but you and I can change the world together. You and I have to find out what is truth; for it is truth that dissolves the sorrows, the miseries of the world."

In January 1950, speaking in Colombo (India) for the first time, K was asked an essentially similar question: "Why do you waste your time preaching instead of helping the world in a practical way?" K answered this:

"You mean bringing about a change in the world, a better economic adjustment, a better distribution of wealth, a better relationship - or, to put it more brutally, helping you to find a better job. You want to see a change in the world, ever intelligent man does; and you want a method to bring about that change, and therefore you ask me why I waste my time preaching instead of doing something about it? Now, is what I am actually doing a waste of time? It would be a waste of time, would it not, if I introduced a new set of ideas to replace the old ideology, the old pattern. Instead of pointing out a so-called practical way to act, to live, to get a better job, to create a better world, is it not important to find out what are the impediments which actually prevent a real revolution - not a revolution of the left or the right, but a fundamental, radical revolution not based on ideas? Because, as we have discussed it, ideals, beliefs, ideologies, dogmas prevent action."