The Diary as 'The Mirror of the self.' The daily discipline of diary writing in shaping Gandhi's private ruminations and his public discourse

The primary focus of  this chapter is to illustrate the impact that the daily writing practice of  keeping a diary had on the development of  Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's philosophical and political practices. Although Gandhi had been a diarist for most of  his adult life this chapter only examines a particular set of  diaries related to his time in Natal and Transvaal. Gandhi began diary writing as an occasional activity but by the end of  his life it had became integral to his daily writing practices.  Once he had established his daily writing routine he also encouraged his political followers in South Africa to do the same. Many years later, in India, Gandhi also required his satyagrahis to keep a daily diary which he read.