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| Conflict, Peace and SATYAGRAHA by: Herndon L. Davis |
Political conflicts and full-fledged wars have often punctuated
human history since the beginning of time. Division is nothing
new and neither are the many reasons used to justify conflicts,
violence and destruction. But blessedly there are other ways,
alternative paths, and creative tools currently being used in order
to establish, create, maintain and grow the essence and the
materialization of peace world-wide.
Meet director, producer, and writer, Rob Graydon. He has
brilliantly captured in his new documentary SATYAGRAHA, the
intimate behind-the scene details of one of the most iconic
symbols of peace, Gandhi. The engaging film also chronicles 100
years in history from 1906-2006 of conflicts and wars and the
non-violent peace initiatives employed to end them.
human history since the beginning of time. Division is nothing
new and neither are the many reasons used to justify conflicts,
violence and destruction. But blessedly there are other ways,
alternative paths, and creative tools currently being used in order
to establish, create, maintain and grow the essence and the
materialization of peace world-wide.
Meet director, producer, and writer, Rob Graydon. He has
brilliantly captured in his new documentary SATYAGRAHA, the
intimate behind-the scene details of one of the most iconic
symbols of peace, Gandhi. The engaging film also chronicles 100
years in history from 1906-2006 of conflicts and wars and the
non-violent peace initiatives employed to end them.
Back on Sept. 11, 2006, the world commemorated the 5 year
anniversary of the World Trade Center attack. However, according
to Graydon, “What many people don’t know is that it also marked
the 100th anniversary of Gandhi’s first nonviolent action in South
Africa.”
Graydon explains that “The film, "SATYAGRAHA - 100 Years of
Nonviolence" chronicles the century following the 1906 protest. We
get to see many, many non-violent movements (many not well
known in the U.S.) that changed history.
We'll also get to see ‘regular’ people (many inspired by Gandhi's
philosophy of being the change you want to see in the world) doing
extraordinary things to make a difference” he added.
The word SATYAGRAHA is derived from the India language and
was actually created from two words: Satya meaning “truth” and
Agraha meaning “pursuit of.” This newly blended word suited the
non-violent movement extremely well especially since Gandhi felt
that life itself was a pursuit of truth.
Graydon screened a 15 minute excerpt of the film on September
11th, 2006 at the Regal Cinema at Ground Zero to rave reviews.
The short featured an interview with Arun Gandhi (Grandson of
the Mahatma) as well as Civil Rights activist George Houser, Peace
Educator Liz Gannon Graydon, singer/ activist Ani DiFranco and
many others.”
Graydon actually credits his wife, Liz for making the connection
between the Sept. 11 1906 and 2006 events. He became so
intrigued by the “coincidence” that he was drawn closer to it.
“Sheer fascination and a lack of belief in coincidence propelled me
to make the film. This year I’ll be expanding the short version into
a feature with more political figures, spiritual experts, activists and
celebrities.”
anniversary of the World Trade Center attack. However, according
to Graydon, “What many people don’t know is that it also marked
the 100th anniversary of Gandhi’s first nonviolent action in South
Africa.”
Graydon explains that “The film, "SATYAGRAHA - 100 Years of
Nonviolence" chronicles the century following the 1906 protest. We
get to see many, many non-violent movements (many not well
known in the U.S.) that changed history.
We'll also get to see ‘regular’ people (many inspired by Gandhi's
philosophy of being the change you want to see in the world) doing
extraordinary things to make a difference” he added.
The word SATYAGRAHA is derived from the India language and
was actually created from two words: Satya meaning “truth” and
Agraha meaning “pursuit of.” This newly blended word suited the
non-violent movement extremely well especially since Gandhi felt
that life itself was a pursuit of truth.
Graydon screened a 15 minute excerpt of the film on September
11th, 2006 at the Regal Cinema at Ground Zero to rave reviews.
The short featured an interview with Arun Gandhi (Grandson of
the Mahatma) as well as Civil Rights activist George Houser, Peace
Educator Liz Gannon Graydon, singer/ activist Ani DiFranco and
many others.”
Graydon actually credits his wife, Liz for making the connection
between the Sept. 11 1906 and 2006 events. He became so
intrigued by the “coincidence” that he was drawn closer to it.
“Sheer fascination and a lack of belief in coincidence propelled me
to make the film. This year I’ll be expanding the short version into
a feature with more political figures, spiritual experts, activists and
celebrities.”
Unlike other film projects and documentaries that can sometimes take years to get off the ground,
SATYAGRAHA quickly took flight with very few impediments in its way almost as if it were being divinely led.
“[The] subject matter is very close to a lot of people and they’ve been very cooperative with interviews and so
on. Arun Gandhi, grandson of the Mahatma, has graciously helped with interviews as well as permissions for
media usage and so on. Jojo Brim of Warner Music has been hugely helpful and supportive. There are also
some celebrities who will be involved in different capacities” Graydon explained.
According to GlobalSecurity.org there are 42 different conflicts and wars currently raging across the world.
Obviously there is a significant interest and need not only for peace creation but for an entire new philosophy
on how to engage one another as human beings. Hence, SATYAGRAHA strikes a nerve with viewers world-
wide who seek to glean from its analysis of war, peace and the tenuous bridge between the two.
“…Categorization and fear lead to conflict” declares Graydon. “First we make someone ‘other’ by placing them
in a category: black/white, red state/blue state, liberal/conservative, Christian/Jewish/Muslim. If someone is
in a category that is different from the one in which I place myself, then I might fear them for the differences.”
And of course fear gives birth to paranoia which begets a ‘protect and attack’ mindset that manifests itself into
violent conflicts. Hence the pursuit of peace must be an active one versus a passive thought. German
Rationalist philosopher, Immanuel Kant once stated that “Perpetual peace is no empty idea, but a practical
thing which, through its gradual solution, is coming always nearer its final realization...”
For Rob Graydon, a filmmaker and former stand-up comedian, the realization of peace is simple; seek another
person’s truth. “You have to be willing to let go of your story long enough to see and incorporate other people’
s stories. This is what Gandhi taught and did. When there is conflict, it can be resolved nonviolently.
This doesn’t mean negotiation or compromise. It means taking the time to get to everyone’s truth around a
situation and creatively craft a solution that not only avoids an outbreak of violence, but resolve the
underlying conflict, and more importantly, provides tools for solving conflict in the future.”
SATYAGRAHA quickly took flight with very few impediments in its way almost as if it were being divinely led.
“[The] subject matter is very close to a lot of people and they’ve been very cooperative with interviews and so
on. Arun Gandhi, grandson of the Mahatma, has graciously helped with interviews as well as permissions for
media usage and so on. Jojo Brim of Warner Music has been hugely helpful and supportive. There are also
some celebrities who will be involved in different capacities” Graydon explained.
According to GlobalSecurity.org there are 42 different conflicts and wars currently raging across the world.
Obviously there is a significant interest and need not only for peace creation but for an entire new philosophy
on how to engage one another as human beings. Hence, SATYAGRAHA strikes a nerve with viewers world-
wide who seek to glean from its analysis of war, peace and the tenuous bridge between the two.
“…Categorization and fear lead to conflict” declares Graydon. “First we make someone ‘other’ by placing them
in a category: black/white, red state/blue state, liberal/conservative, Christian/Jewish/Muslim. If someone is
in a category that is different from the one in which I place myself, then I might fear them for the differences.”
And of course fear gives birth to paranoia which begets a ‘protect and attack’ mindset that manifests itself into
violent conflicts. Hence the pursuit of peace must be an active one versus a passive thought. German
Rationalist philosopher, Immanuel Kant once stated that “Perpetual peace is no empty idea, but a practical
thing which, through its gradual solution, is coming always nearer its final realization...”
For Rob Graydon, a filmmaker and former stand-up comedian, the realization of peace is simple; seek another
person’s truth. “You have to be willing to let go of your story long enough to see and incorporate other people’
s stories. This is what Gandhi taught and did. When there is conflict, it can be resolved nonviolently.
This doesn’t mean negotiation or compromise. It means taking the time to get to everyone’s truth around a
situation and creatively craft a solution that not only avoids an outbreak of violence, but resolve the
underlying conflict, and more importantly, provides tools for solving conflict in the future.”
| The Future……….. |
The feature length version of SATYAGRAHA is scheduled for a Christmas release. From there, Rob Graydon
will jump into another socially conscious initiative. “I’m also developing an animated series about endangered
and extinct animals.”
To contact Rob Graydon and to learn more about SATYAGRAHA access their following myspace pages:
http://www.myspace.com/robgraydon
http://www.myspace.com/satyagrahamovie
will jump into another socially conscious initiative. “I’m also developing an animated series about endangered
and extinct animals.”
To contact Rob Graydon and to learn more about SATYAGRAHA access their following myspace pages:
http://www.myspace.com/robgraydon
http://www.myspace.com/satyagrahamovie
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| http://www.myspace.com/robgraydon http://www.myspace.com/satyagrahamovie |
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| http://www.myspace.com/robgraydon http://www.myspace.com/satyagrahamovie |
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| Gandhi and Beyond |
| Arun Gandhi, Grandson of Gandhi |