Habit Pyramid
Consumed only plant-based foods, avoiding meat, eggs, and alcohol. Prioritized seasonal vegetables, fruits, and whole grains like wheat and millets.
Regularly abstained from solid foods for spiritual clarity and physical detoxification. Often consumed only fruit juices or water during fasts.
Woke at dawn for prayer, meditation, and planning the day. Followed by physical labor like cleaning or gardening.
Personally cleaned toilets and waste areas to reject caste hierarchies. Advocated sanitation as a communal responsibility.
Spun cotton thread daily on a charkha (spinning wheel) to produce khadi cloth. Integrated this into morning/evening routines.
Owned only essential items: a watch, spectacles, and writing materials. Rejected luxury goods and excess clothing.
Avoided lies and exaggeration in all interactions. Admitted mistakes publicly through writings and speeches.
Read scriptures from multiple religions daily, including the Bhagavad Gita, Quran, and Bible. Discussed teachings with diverse groups.
Observed a day of silence weekly to conserve energy for reflection. Communicated via written notes when necessary.
Bathed with unheated water, even in winter. Practiced hydrotherapy for physical vigor.
Wrote letters daily to activists, critics, and family. Authored over 50,000 pages on ethics, politics, and health.
Sat in direct sunlight for 10-15 minutes daily during massage or meditation. Believed it boosted vitality.
Began fasts to atone for personal or communal errors. Continued until corrective actions were taken.
Organized clean-water initiatives and waste management systems in rural areas. Trained locals in hygiene practices.
Avoided cow/buffalo milk for 6 years, substituting goat milk. Later resumed dairy for health reasons.
Walked 5-8 km daily post-dinner with ashram members. Discussed social issues during strolls.
Spoke/wrote primarily in Gujarati and Hindi. Critiqued English-medium elitism in education.
Used neem, turmeric, and ashwagandha for minor ailments. Avoided synthetic drugs unless critically ill.
Wore only hand-spun white or black khadi. Avoided colored dyes as wasteful.
Lived in ashrams or donated properties. Never purchased personal real estate.
