Simplicity and self-reliance: Thoreau's emphasis on simple living and self-reliance resonates with Gandhi's rejection of materialism and his promotion of self-sufficiency. Both believed that a simple life is more conducive to spiritual growth and inner peace.
Civil disobedience: Thoreau's act of civil disobedience in refusing to pay taxes in protest of the Mexican-American War influenced Gandhi's use of nonviolent civil disobedience as a powerful tool for social change. Gandhi admired Thoreau's willingness to take a stand against injustice, even at personal cost.
Social justice: Despite living in different times and contexts, both Thoreau and Gandhi shared a deep concern for social justice and were vocal critics of societal flaws. Thoreau, through his writings, critiqued slavery and the materialism of his time, while Gandhi dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of the oppressed, including the Untouchables in India.
Education: Thoreau and Gandhi placed great importance on the role of education in fostering critical thinking and personal growth. Thoreau's concept of transcendental education emphasized the development of the whole person, while Gandhi's approach to education aimed at liberating individuals from ignorance and empowering them to become agents of social change.
These connections highlight the convergence of thought between transcendentalism, as represented by Thoreau, and the beliefs of Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing the timeless relevance of ideas focused on spiritual growth, nonviolent resistance, and individual action in the pursuit of a more just and sustainable world.