What does 'nonviolence' mean?
There are many definitions of nonviolence. Many people associate nonviolence with political movements such as those associated with Gandhi in India, with the American civil rights movement and the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Those are the better known movements but there have been many more and it is estimated that at least 3 billion people experienced the power of nonviolence in political movements during the second half of last century. Examples in this century are the Occupy movement and much of the activity attempting to establish democracy in the middle east. However, some movements that started as nonviolent deteriorated into violence.
There can be no happiness without peace; no peace without justice; and no justice without equality. (From Travelling the Road of Peace and Happiness.)
A conflict of needs and opinions is inevitable in all kinds of relationships, at home; at work; in schools; or anywhere people’s paths cross. We may have no choice about getting into a conflict but we do have a choice in how we handle it. In making our choice, we should keep in mind that conflicts only become harmful when competition or domination creeps into them. Unfortunately, our culture is obsessed with competition and control, in various forms, and that makes it difficult for us to avoid being influenced by the desire to win when we are in conflict with others, even with loved ones. Choosing to compete or to dominate in a conflict is choosing the way of violence. Choosing to find creative solutions to conflict from a base of equality is choosing the way of nonviolence. Choosing to play in sports or other games for reasons other than ‘to win’ is also choosing the way of nonviolence. Actively seeking to make a relationship 'more equal' is choosing the way of active nonviolence.
Some of the words associated with nonviolence are:
Love, patience, tolerance, defiance, cooperation, noncooperation, equality, justice, disobedience, peace, kindness, persistence, perseverance, happiness, centered, grounded, suffering, achievement, assertiveness, community, joy, sadness, aggressive (as distinct from aggression), discipline, control (as distinct from controlling), decisive, participation, belonging, sharing, and on and on.
Some of these words, such as disobedience and defiance, may seem out of place until we consider that Gandhi said, “Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with good.”
Nonviolence is more than just a strategy to achieve political goals; it is a way of life. It is a way of relating to other people and the environment in everyday life, and it is the stories from everyday life that I encourage you to share with others on our Blog page. Stories that will show people how the spirituality of nonviolence applies to solving the problems of everyday living.
In my book, Travelling the Road of Peace and Happiness, I refer to the Nonviolence Compass that guides us along the road of peace and happiness, and lights the way back to the road when we stray off it. The compass comprises many tools for us to use for coping with the inevitable conflicts in daily living and for finding creative solutions to the more difficult ones. The list includes many tools that people use every day but may not normally associate with nonviolence. The list may help you in deciding what to write about, but please let me know if you know of tools that should be included in the list. .
There can be no happiness without peace; no peace without justice; and no justice without equality. (From Travelling the Road of Peace and Happiness.)
A conflict of needs and opinions is inevitable in all kinds of relationships, at home; at work; in schools; or anywhere people’s paths cross. We may have no choice about getting into a conflict but we do have a choice in how we handle it. In making our choice, we should keep in mind that conflicts only become harmful when competition or domination creeps into them. Unfortunately, our culture is obsessed with competition and control, in various forms, and that makes it difficult for us to avoid being influenced by the desire to win when we are in conflict with others, even with loved ones. Choosing to compete or to dominate in a conflict is choosing the way of violence. Choosing to find creative solutions to conflict from a base of equality is choosing the way of nonviolence. Choosing to play in sports or other games for reasons other than ‘to win’ is also choosing the way of nonviolence. Actively seeking to make a relationship 'more equal' is choosing the way of active nonviolence.
Some of the words associated with nonviolence are:
Love, patience, tolerance, defiance, cooperation, noncooperation, equality, justice, disobedience, peace, kindness, persistence, perseverance, happiness, centered, grounded, suffering, achievement, assertiveness, community, joy, sadness, aggressive (as distinct from aggression), discipline, control (as distinct from controlling), decisive, participation, belonging, sharing, and on and on.
Some of these words, such as disobedience and defiance, may seem out of place until we consider that Gandhi said, “Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with good.”
Nonviolence is more than just a strategy to achieve political goals; it is a way of life. It is a way of relating to other people and the environment in everyday life, and it is the stories from everyday life that I encourage you to share with others on our Blog page. Stories that will show people how the spirituality of nonviolence applies to solving the problems of everyday living.
In my book, Travelling the Road of Peace and Happiness, I refer to the Nonviolence Compass that guides us along the road of peace and happiness, and lights the way back to the road when we stray off it. The compass comprises many tools for us to use for coping with the inevitable conflicts in daily living and for finding creative solutions to the more difficult ones. The list includes many tools that people use every day but may not normally associate with nonviolence. The list may help you in deciding what to write about, but please let me know if you know of tools that should be included in the list. .
Some of the tools attached to the ‘Nonviolence Compass’.
From the book, ‘Travelling the Road of Peace and Happiness’
by Bob Myers
Grounded love: a combination of love, assertiveness and voluntary suffering.
Manners: the basis of respect, equality and justice.
Example: the most effective way to teach.
Centring: what we centre on is what we are likely to achieve.
Guidelines for Making Rules: as well as for explaining or changing rules.
Guidelines for Creatively Responding to Conflict: at all levels.
Distinguishing Between Punishment and Consequences:
Guidelines of the Restorative Action process for healing relationships.
Restorative Actions: cooperation; non-cooperation; restorative consequences; self-chosen punishment.
Motivation Guidelines: for motivating self or others to achieve.
Some equality-based growth and decision-making tools: information sharing; consensus; Open Space Technology; truth-seeking discussion/argument.
Reality Questions: for planning, developing and achieving.
From the book, ‘Travelling the Road of Peace and Happiness’
by Bob Myers
Grounded love: a combination of love, assertiveness and voluntary suffering.
Manners: the basis of respect, equality and justice.
Example: the most effective way to teach.
Centring: what we centre on is what we are likely to achieve.
Guidelines for Making Rules: as well as for explaining or changing rules.
Guidelines for Creatively Responding to Conflict: at all levels.
Distinguishing Between Punishment and Consequences:
Guidelines of the Restorative Action process for healing relationships.
Restorative Actions: cooperation; non-cooperation; restorative consequences; self-chosen punishment.
Motivation Guidelines: for motivating self or others to achieve.
Some equality-based growth and decision-making tools: information sharing; consensus; Open Space Technology; truth-seeking discussion/argument.
Reality Questions: for planning, developing and achieving.
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