# Wooing explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## What happens

After Gokhale's death, Gandhi seeks formal membership in the Servants of India Society but faces opposition from some members who fear his views diverge from the Society's principles. After prolonged discussions, he withdraws his application to avoid division, a decision that strengthens his spiritual bond with the Society and its members.

## Themes in this chapter

### Service and Community Leadership

Gandhi's desire to join the Servants of India Society reflects his commitment to public service and leadership, even as he prioritizes the Society's unity over personal ambition.

### Family and Personal Relationships

The chapter explores Gandhi's relationship with Gokhale and the members of the Society, emphasizing loyalty and spiritual bonds over formal ties.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Narrates his efforts to join the Servants of India Society after Gokhale's death, ultimately withdrawing his application to preserve unity.

### Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Deceased; Gandhi reflects on his guidance and loyalty to him as he navigates the membership question.

## Key lines

> I was in need of a sure pilot. I had had one in Gokhale and had felt secure in his keeping. Now that he was gone, I was thrown on my own resources, and I felt that it was my duty to seek admission.

Gandhi felt lost without Gokhale's guidance and believed joining the Society was his duty to honor Gokhale's legacy.

_Gandhi's sense of responsibility and reliance on Gokhale's mentorship._

> Spiritual relationship is far more precious than physical. Physical relationship divorced from spiritual is body without soul.

A spiritual connection is more valuable than a formal one; without it, a formal bond is empty.

_Gandhi's philosophy on the primacy of spiritual ties over institutional membership._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-vi-wooing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters