Beware a leader fatter than his people.
The more I see President Donald Trump with Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, the more I think about Mahatma Gandhi. That’s right, Gandhi: sweet little man, docile, educated, wise, pleasant, swaddled—whose people called him Mahatma, meaning Great Soul—the man from India whose political tactics calling for nonviolent resistance to British authority and rule would impress Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I’ve been so used to seeing U.S. presidents who at least appear physically fit: Obama, Bush II, Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon and Johnson. Some had their health battles of sorts, mostly age related, but they all enjoyed active lifestyles … and it showed. Each was a man to behold, carried a presence and power in the room even among other world leaders. This is because they had their act together. Because they were world leaders, they could have eaten whatever they wanted. Obviously, they exercised self control, including President Bill Clinton eventually.
Now our American president is as bloated, obese and sluggish as millions of us Americans. And though we are enjoying a prosperity that keeps us eating high on the hog, the North Korean masses are not so lucky. My understanding is many are starving to death. And I understand U.S. sanctions against North Korea to halt nuclear pursuits have something to do with it. Some high authority wants us to believe that line of bull. But all you have to do is look at their leader. Short people can’t carry extra weight like the tall, and they cannot hide their obesity.
For more than a generation, America has had an obesity epidemic and all the related health consequences that go with it such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic foot and skeletal pain, and doctors say several types of cancer. Our leader indeed reflects the absolute fattest period in American history. What President Trump, Kim and all the tens of millions of obese Americans have in common is: GLUTTONY. It is an ancient sin, a spiritual affliction, an emotional illness, and if nothing else the epitome of selfishness. Gandhi, by the way, was known for the spiritual practice of fasting, something out of the Bible when one wants to grow closer to God.
Namaste Gandhi
Gandhi walked among his people, not unlike Christ. Despite his British education and good fortune, he decided to resemble his people in dress and culture because he truly cared about the masses oppressed by British rule. Sometimes he spoke of his childhood. The Brits were called Beefeaters, and Indian children assumed their impressive muscle and strength was linked to the consumption of meat. So when Gandhi was about 12 years old, he decided to spend one year eating meat, not informing his parents who taught him vegetarianism is a more spiritually sound practice. Vegetarians believe eating meat clouds the mind and body and makes one aggressive. Each day he checked his puny muscles, but there was no change. After the year of beef eating, he was struck by guilt of not being honest with his parents. He confessed, and they saw fit to not punish him. He learned a lesson, he said: to be yourself not someone else.
Hmm.
Another lesson young Gandhi learned was dealing with his extreme fear of the dark. He just wanted to see something in the dark, a ray of candlelight or moon or stars, some reassurance that all is well. But sometimes the night sky was moonless and clouded especially during the rainy season. Gandhi was so afraid of sleeping in total darkness, though that is what he saw when he closed his eyes, what everyone sees when we close our eyes. Anything could happen. In his mind there was much to fear: cobras, spiders, beasts. Then one night a servant asked him, “Why do you fear the dark? Don’t you know God is with you?” It was a revelation that changed his life. God would always be with him, looking out for him, caring for him, loving him eternally. You see, Gandhi was first a spiritual being, and he knew everyone else to be the same.
OM.
That brings us to another truth in discovering the compulsion of Americans and fat leaders who overeat: FEAR. What do people who live in the most prosperous nation on earth have to fear? Instead of a leader who reassures us we have nothing to fear but fear itself, that maintaining constant fright leaves us paralyzed and unable to move forward, we voted in a leader who does nothing but stir fear every minute of every day of every month of every year he’s in charge of the Free World. President Trump’s leadership has not made us free, just more frightened, fatter, self-loathing, cynical, lonely, and for some unable to believe long-held religious teachings and spiritual enlightenment centering on brotherly love.
What must President Trump fear? Or Kim? One could fear he’ll be found out. And isn’t it funny? So could the other. Phony undeserved leadership based on a mountain of lies, manipulation, smoke and mirrors, deceit, and in one nation brutality, enslavement and murder. North Koreans are taught from birth to idolize their dear leader like he’s God. With the internet, however, we can see the day when North Koreans will learn their leader is not God but a man who suppressed them while he lived a life of opulence, comfort and glorious food—the latter any human realizes already.
At least Americans can pursue the truth. We know better than to idolize our president who will be gone in four to eight years regardless. Our fear is actually self-induced. As a nation we are holding onto fear for some deep psychological reason, some unspoken infantile need, stuffing our feelings instead of speaking our mind. It is no way to live in the land of the free and home of the brave.