Podcasts about metta center

"We should be thinking about our individual preparation. And if you are familiar with the Roadmap model, that we have on Metta Center's website, it will kind of display this in a clear way. There's plenty of room and time for us to strengthen ourselves individually by learning, by spiritual practice, by bracing ourselves for self-sacrifice and suffering. That's one thing we should be doing, and I think it's the most important one."

During this episode of Nonviolence Radio, Stephanie and Michael discuss a new resource offered by the Metta Center called, Seven Challenges: nonviolence, new story, third harmony, compassion, constructive program, unity in diversity and from chaos to creativity. Their conversation offers some advice as to how to incorporate them into our daily lives so that over time, they become rooted in us, an active part of who we are. Nonviolence, for instance, can be strengthened in each of us by the simple (yet not always easy) practice of cultivating the habit to pause before we react to a perceived aggression, remembering that a “person's anger is not the core inflexible being of that person. That is what makes nonviolence possible.” All of the challenges encourage us to recognize that we can choose – again and again – to exercise nonviolence in our lives. We can choose to see the world not as a fixed external entity that often seems out to harm us, but rather as an ongoing dynamic process which we actively co-create. Though these seven terms are aptly called challenges, ultimately they can be a tremendous source of inspiration and empowerment. And they are available to each and every one of us right now.

Michael Nagler is Professor Emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC Berkeley, where he founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program. Prof. Nagler has spoken and written widely for campus, religious, public and special interest groups on the subject of peace and nonviolence for many years,. He has consulted for the U.S. Institute of Peace and many other organizations and is President of the board of METTA: Center for Nonviolence Education and of PeaceWorkers, and on numerous other boards, and has recently co-founded Educators For Nonviolence (info@efnv.org). He has worked on nonviolent intervention since the 1970's and served on the Interim Steering Committee of the Nonviolent Peaceforce. In addition to his many articles on peace and spirituality, he is the author of America Without Violence (Island Press, 1982), The Upanishads (with Sri Eknath Easwaran, Nilgiri Press, 1987) and most recently The Search for a Nonviolent Future (Inner Ocean Publishing) which won the 2002 American Book Award and is being used in many courses as well as reading groups around the country (Italian translation appeared in 2005; pending in Korean and Arabic). Michael Nagler is a student of Sri Eknath Easwaran, Founder of the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, and has lived at the Center's ashram in Marin County since 1970.

While many people encounter nonviolence as forms of protest and resistance, the constructive side of it, the part that aims to re-establish a sense of self-knowing and trust in one's community that has been harmed through violence can be overlooked. But it is this kind of work that uplifts a community's sense of self through a reclaiming of inner power (what we call at the Metta Center, Person Power) that offers a strong foundation for other forms of action. Constructive work on the human image is not a distraction from action, it's a necessity.As part of a constructive effort to challenge and offer redress for the ongoing harms of identity suppression through language erasure within indigenous communities around the world, Bay Area educator and somatic coach Margarita Acosta's Tierra Indigena Montessori is a shining light. Their work “facilitates reparations to Indigenous Peoples by supporting them in establishing educational spaces that maintain, strengthen, and revitalize their ancestral languages and cultures through the Montessori Method.”She makes the case that language revitalization ought to be a front-and-center topic for our collective concern, no matter which language we speak and know ourselves through. All languages enrich our understanding of our world, and concepts embedded within our various linguistic homes can help us resolve personal and global crises and challenges. Losing language is a loss of our collective potential, and its revitalization becomes an expression of our creative and collective power as well as of reparations and healing.

Hope and Hard Work: The Promise and the Challenge of NonviolenceOur guest on the podcast today is Michael Nagler, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC Berkeley, where he founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program and taught upper-division courses on nonviolence, meditation, and a seminar on the meaning of life. He is President of the Metta Center for Nonviolence and author of The Search for a Nonviolent Future, The Nonviolence Handbook, and the award-winning film and book, The Third Harmony: Nonviolence and the New Story of Human Nature.Today we explore the spirituality of nonviolence, the connection between meditation and nonviolence, and why breaking the spell of our separateness is key to this work. You will hear Michael emphasize the importance of understanding humanity's universal connection, and acknowledge the need to move beyond stereotypes in order to promote a greater level of peace, including how we can all embrace the perspective of non-violence despite living in an extremely violent world.Listen in as Michael shares with us how non-violent methods are impacting the citizens of Iran, and how it is being used in Ukraine. It inspired such hope in me to hear how this valuable methodology is making an impact in places where it's really needed, those places at war, where our fellow humans are exposed to extreme levels of violence and you could say the worst of human nature - its heartwarming to know that non-violence is making a difference.If you feel overwhelmed by the violence in our world, Michael will guide you toward an alternative path, so I encourage you to listen to this deeply resonant dialogue for insights. Michael is a great example of someone who has found success and focus in life through his long-time practice of meditation and passion for justice and peace. I suspect you'll enjoy Michael's perspective on how we have the potential to shape a world governed by peace and solidarity.Key TakeawaysHow Michael's spiritual beliefs made it so clear that he was not going to “pick up a gun and kill people, no matter what”.How nonviolence is the bridge between meditation and social actionUsing meditation as a powerful tool for grounding oneself and developing a nonviolent approach to social action.How nonviolence is the core of our nature and our destiny, and restorative justice is an example of how to implement it.Shifting perspectives to realize that conflict can actually be an opportunity for spiritual growth, and we should strive to be reminded of our shared humanity, rather than our separateness.Memorable Quote“The universe has three domains of reality, matter, energy, and consciousness. And each of us is a microcosm of that hierarchy. And in us, it shows up as body, mind, and spirit.If we were to become completely established in spirit, or consciousness, then there'd be no barrier between us at all” —Michael NaglerEpisode Resources:Metta Center For Non-ViolenceThe Third Harmony ProjectBOOK: The Third Harmony: Nonviolence and the New Story Of Human Nature By Michael NaglerBOOK: And Then Your Soul Is Gone; By Kelly Denton-BorhaugMichael's Linkedin ProfileBlue Mountain Center for Meditation

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, we continue our discussion around the protest movement currently underway in Iran by speaking with Iranian-born Leila Zand, who now lives in the US and focuses on Track 2 Diplomacy in Iran/U.S. relations, as well as Citizen Diplomacy with  CodePink. Having been raised in the throes of both the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the Iran-Iraq War which followed shortly after, Leila uses her personal experience to illuminate the radical socio-economic, cultural, and religious shifts that the Iranian people have experienced in such a short time period, and how this impacts what is being expressed by women and young people on the streets today. Together, Stephanie and Leila discuss the possibilities in this context for creative, nonviolent solutions, when there are also active and destabilizing risks like widespread anger, devastating sanctions, and threats of armament. In spite of this, at Nonviolence Radio we know that one thing is for certain– wherever there is conflict and violence, we will find nonviolence in action, even if it's small. There's always something we can do.For more on nonviolence in Iran visit the Metta Center.

On Sept. 13, 22 year old Mahsa Amini was detained by the Iranian morality police and died in their custody three days later, allegedly at their hands. Protests have erupted across Iran and with solidarity actions taking place among the diasporic community across the world. A women- and youth-led movement has taken shape, and people are willingly facing brutality and even death in the streets, with slogans such as “We are all Mahsa” and “Life! Liberty! Freedom,” as women in particular cut their hair and burn their hijab (headscarves) to defy government regulation on their capacity for self-determination and unequal status before the law.At the root of these protests is the call for revolution, no less than the complete reversal of the Islamic Republic instituted in 1979 with the ousting of the Shah, while others simply hope that some aspects of the repressive regime will subside.In part one of this two-part Nonviolence Radio episode, we interview Mehdi Aminrazavi for his perspective on the protest movement and what he is hearing from his friends and family in Iran. Born in Mashhad, Iran, Dr. Aminrazavi participated in the protest movement to oust the Shah. Now a scholar of philosophy and mysticism, he is the Kurt Leidecker Chair in Asian Studies, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies Program, and professor of religion and philosophy at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.In part two (which will come later in a separate post), we will speak with Leila Zand, who was born and raised in Tehran, and is now working on her dissertation about Track 2 Diplomacy for Iran/U.S. relations. She is a leader for Citizen Diplomacy with Code Pink.For more on nonviolence in Iran visit the Metta Center.“Because the internet generation, even though they lived in Tehran and Mashhad and Shiraz and Isfahan, but they really were a part of this global culture that was very different from their parents. Whereas I or my wife would listen to these morality police and their advice and say, ‘Oh, sorry. It won't happen again.' These kids, 15 and 16-year-olds, wouldn't listen. They would confront them. They would fight with them. They would get arrested. They would be imprisoned and tortured and so on.And so, as the younger generation came up, they not only looked down on my generation, as to, “Why did you do this to this country? You know, change is good, but for better, not worse. And you took the country back centuries. Why?” And so, they became more defiant and more defiant.” – Mehdi Aminrazavi

Michael Nagler, President of the Metta Center for Nonviolence, argues that nonviolence–not just as a tactic but as a way of being–is the only way to unite deeply divided people and enable progressive movements and leaders of all stripes to fulfil their promise and potential. -- See the video at: www.theworldismycountry.com/club -- Music by: „World Citizen“ Jahcoustix feat. Shaggy courtesy of Dominik Haas, Telefonica and EoM Also, check out the film on World Citizen #1 Garry Davis at: www.theworldismycountry.com

Michael Nagler – The Third Harmony: Living the Frequency of PeaceAired Monday, March 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM PST / 2:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM GMT / 8:00 PM CETSo many of our problems – war, poverty, isolation, and climate crisis – have their roots in an old story. The story that violence is inevitable. That our world will always be at war. Persons will find ways to hate. Yet is this the truth? Are we born conflicted? Is it our nature to be in constant struggle and angst? Or has this story been fed to us and continued to repeat itself until we dare rewrite it? We know from the newest science that the universe seeks coherency and our bodies strive towards healing. So our questions are, is peace a palpable frequency? Is it a frequency that we can learn to tune into and hold? Is there a step-by-step science behind resolving conflict and creating a peaceful world? As we transform harm to harmony, we naturally embody nonviolence as the only power strong enough to move the heart toward this revolutionary change in worldview.Join Voice Visionary Kara Johnstad and renowned peace activist, author and founder, and president of the Metta Center for Nonviolence, Michael Nagler in a heartfelt conversation on his newest book and documentary film, The Third Harmony. Discover why the story of nonviolence is humanity's greatest and most overlooked resource. Embrace that peace is our true nature, the universe is conscious and purposeful, as we carry in our hearts the new story unfolding for our planet.#MichaelNagler #TheThirdHarmony #VoiceRising #KaraJohnstadConnect with Michael Nagler at https://www.mettacenter.org/michaelnaglerTo get in touch with Kara go to http://www.karajohnstad.com/Visit the Voice Rising show page https://omtimes.com/iom/shows/voice-rising/Subscribe to our Newsletter https://omtimes.com/subscribe-omtimes-magazine/Connect with OMTimes on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Omtimes.Magazine/ and OMTimes Radio https://www.facebook.com/ConsciousRadiowebtv.OMTimes/Twitter: https://twitter.com/OmTimes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omtimes/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2798417/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/omtimes/

Stephanie and Michael welcome three guests this week on Nonviolence Radio. First, they talk to Katherine Hughes-Fraitekh and Steve Chase about their work together in Solidarity 2020 and Beyond. Responding to the isolation and suffering caused by COVID, Solidarity 2020 and Beyond offers hope and support to grassroots activists and organizations, providing them opportunities to network, to learn from each other and to collaborate through webinars and trainings. Solidarity 2020 and Beyond draws on the power inherent in sharing experiences and using them to educate and increase solidarity amongst all those who are striving — nonviolently —  to bring about change for good, wherever in the world they may be. …what we’re trying to do is to be driven by the grassroots activists, extremely flexible to respond to their needs, and not create an organization but realize there are amazing groups out there – Beautiful Trouble, ICNC, the Einstein Institute, Nonviolent Peaceforce, Metta Center, Waging Nonviolence, all the groups that are working on these issues. And African Youth Movement, Africans Rising – we’re very closely connected with them. And just trying to help bring groups together and find ways to do critical learning, research, and really spread the knowledge both to people that are doing the work on the ground as people learn from each other. …for the vast majority of people in the world that are not directly involved, but may be very hopeless right now, letting them know these amazing things are happening, and these amazing courageous people are out there changing the world for the better. It's not time to give up hope, but really to have a vision for a better future. And that is possible. Katherine Hughes-Fraitekh The inspiring conversation with Katherine and Steve is followed by an equally powerful discussion with Mubarak Elamin, a Sudanese activist supporting the movement in Sudan. Mubarak talks about the astounding strength and courage of the Sudanes people, their determination to stand up for what they need, often risking their lives, working for peace and change: We’re actually learning from the streets of Sudan. It's amazing, the creativity and how people are committed to – first, they're committed to nonviolence and peaceful protest – peaceful actions. And the second thing they are doing also, organizing. And the third thing they are doing is also being really media savvy… And they just demonstrate that day in and day out. They're speaking about, “We’re not out for bread. We're not out for lower prices of gas. We’re out for our own freedom and to bring about some other high-level values to our life and to our people.” And they're so determined to do that. So, it's just really like when you see these, read these stories, it's just heartfelt. The stories that all of these kids – I will call them heroes and warriors in a way or the other. Mubarak Elamin From all three guests this week, we see the power that comes when we actively listen to and connect […] The post How Listening to Experiences Builds Power appeared first on Metta Center.

Stephanie and Michael welcome three guests this week on Nonviolence Radio. First, they talk to Katherine Hughes-Fraitekh and Steve Chase about their work together in Solidarity 2020 and Beyond. Responding to the isolation and suffering caused by COVID, Solidarity 2020 and Beyond offers hope and support to grassroots activists and organizations, providing them opportunities to network, to learn from each other and to collaborate through webinars and trainings. Solidarity 2020 and Beyond draws on the power inherent in sharing experiences and using them to educate and increase solidarity amongst all those who are striving -- nonviolently --  to bring about change for good, wherever in the world they may be."...what we're trying to do is to be driven by the grassroots activists, extremely flexible to respond to their needs, and not create an organization but realize there are amazing groups out there – Beautiful Trouble, ICNC, the Einstein Institute, Nonviolent Peaceforce, Metta Center, Waging Nonviolence, all the groups that are working on these issues. And African Youth Movement, Africans Rising – we're very closely connected with them. And just trying to help bring groups together and find ways to do critical learning, research, and really spread the knowledge both to people that are doing the work on the ground as people learn from each other....for the vast majority of people in the world that are not directly involved, but may be very hopeless right now, letting them know these amazing things are happening, and these amazing courageous people are out there changing the world for the better. It's not time to give up hope, but really to have a vision for a better future. And that is possible."The inspiring conversation with Katherine and Steve is followed by an equally powerful discussion with Mubarak Elamin, a Sudanese activist supporting the movement in Sudan. Mubarak talks about the astounding strength and courage of the Sudanes people, their determination to stand up for what they need, often risking their lives, working for peace and change:"We're actually learning from the streets of Sudan. It's amazing, the creativity and how people are committed to – first, they're committed to nonviolence and peaceful protest – peaceful actions. And the second thing they are doing also, organizing. And the third thing they are doing is also being really media savvy..."And they just demonstrate that day in and day out. They're speaking about, “We're not out for bread. We're not out for lower prices of gas. We're out for our own freedom and to bring about some other high-level values to our life and to our people.” And they're so determined to do that. So, it's just really like when you see these, read these stories, it's just heartfelt. The stories that all of these kids – I will call them heroes and warriors in a way or the other.From all three guests this week, we see the power that comes when we actively listen to and connect with others. Every community, every person has its experience, and when diverse experiences are brought together, when they are heard and shared, they become a resource, an exhilarating force for change.

On this show, we speak with Michael Nagler, founder and president of the Metta Center for Nonviolence in Petaluma, California. We are speaking about the challenges of nonviolence and the understanding of all forms of violence in today's American society and our world.

Robert Levering comes to Nonviolence Radio this week to talk to Stephanie Van Hook and Michael Nagler about the film “The Boys Who Said No!” and the powerful draft resistance movement that helped to end the Vietnam War. Robert is an executive producer of the film, a position he is well suited to as he himself was a draft resister in the 1960s. In the interview, we hear how Robert worked collectively to refuse the draft, and more, to stand up actively and nonviolently to an unjust and oppressive system …the draft sort of makes it us vs. the government. It's very frightening just individually to face the government and all the power it has. But the communities that we developed helped to give us the kind of strength that we really needed in order to do that confrontation. I know that I never would have – I don’t know what I would have done. I mean, you never can tell. But it made it really much, much easier to do something as part of a community rather than just simply doing it individually. Robert's discussion of his work in the 60s reveals how groups like those opposing the war in Vietnam came together with the Civil Rights Movement to create a power that finally ‘overwhelmed' the US government, pushing it to end the war and change some of its racist policies. We are seeing strong echoes of this kind of collaboration today, as shown in Michael's nonviolence report at the end of the show: diverse groups dedicated to nonviolence in many different forms, directed at many causes are coming together, joining hands and actively building a better world. Transcript archived at Waging Nonviolence [pending] The post How to Escalate Nonviolence appeared first on Metta Center.

This week, Michael and Stephanie talk to Kathy Kelly, life-long nonviolence activist, co-founder of Voices for Creative Nonviolence and co-coordinator of the Ban Killer Drones Campaign. This week she discusses her extensive experience in and thoughts about Afghanistan. American intervention, she believes, was — and indeed, continues to be — entirely misoriented, escalating rather than resolving the violent conflicts there. She offers some practical and clear advice on what good and productive involvement might entail, and provides concrete ways we might engage. She also pushes us to reconsider our preconceived ideas, both about the Taliban and ourselves; in doing so we can start to empathize, re-humanize and be less afraid: First of all, I think we need to do what you and Michael have advocated in the Metta Center for a long time. We have to find the courage to control our fears. We have to become a public that isn't so whipped-up into being afraid of this group, afraid of that group, that we will continue to bankroll efforts to kind of eliminate that group so that we don't have to be afraid of them anymore. That's one thing.I think it's really important to keep on building up our sense of controlling our fears.  A second thing, very practically, is to get to know the people who are bearing the consequences of our wars and our displacement…My young friends in Afghanistan were emblematic of people who wanted to reach out to people on the other side of the divide. They talked about a border-free world. They wanted to have interethnic projects. Only when we truly look at Afghanistan, when we see it and its people in all their rich complexity can we come to a better understanding of what they want and need. Only by actively listening to individuals and groups on the ground will we learn how we might be able to join them in finding ways to resolve conflicts and rebuild. And all this depends on a firm commitment to nonviolence, genuine humility and honest self-reflection: …nononviolence is truth force. We have to tell the truth and look at ourselves in the mirror. And what I've just said is really, really hard to look at. But I think that it's required to better understand who we are and how we can actually say, “We’re sorry. We’re so very sorry,” and make reparations that say we are not going to continue this. The post Bearing Witness in Afghanistan appeared first on Metta Center.

This week, Michael and Stephanie talk to Kathy Kelly, life-long nonviolence activist, co-founder of Voices for Creative Nonviolence and co-coordinator of the Ban Killer Drones Campaign. This week she discusses her extensive experience in and thoughts about Afghanistan. American intervention, she believes, was -- and indeed, continues to be -- entirely misoriented, escalating rather than resolving the violent conflicts there. She offers some practical and clear advice on what good and productive involvement might entail, and provides concrete ways we might engage. She also pushes us to reconsider our preconceived ideas, both about the Taliban and ourselves; in doing so we can start to empathize, re-humanize and be less afraid:"First of all, I think we need to do what you and Michael have advocated in the Metta Center for a long time. We have to find the courage to control our fears. We have to become a public that isn't so whipped-up into being afraid of this group, afraid of that group, that we will continue to bankroll efforts to kind of eliminate that group so that we don't have to be afraid of them anymore. That's one thing.I think it's really important to keep on building up our sense of controlling our fears. "A second thing, very practically, is to get to know the people who are bearing the consequences of our wars and our displacement...My young friends in Afghanistan were emblematic of people who wanted to reach out to people on the other side of the divide. They talked about a border-free world. They wanted to have interethnic projects."Only when we truly look at Afghanistan, when we see it and its people in all their rich complexity can we come to a better understanding of what they want and need. Only by actively listening to individuals and groups on the ground will we learn how we might be able to join them in finding ways to resolve conflicts and rebuild. And all this depends on a firm commitment to nonviolence, genuine humility and honest self-reflection:"...nononviolence is truth force. We have to tell the truth and look at ourselves in the mirror. And what I've just said is really, really hard to look at. But I think that it's required to better understand who we are and how we can actually say, “We're sorry. We're so very sorry,” and make reparations that say we are not going to continue this."[Music from DAF Records]

This week, Nonviolence Radio hosts Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, herself a peace activist and committed supporter of nonviolence. Ela was raised in The Phoenix Settlement, an ashram established by Gandhi in 1904 dedicated to the value of self-sufficiency, grounded in a profound concern for the natural world and dedicated to promoting human dignity for all. In this episode, Stephanie and Michael talk to Ela about her life, about the corrosive power of consumerism in our world today, about the importance of actively modeling compassion, decency and kindness, and the crucial Gandhian idea of constructive program: …at Phoenix Settlement, we encouraged people to do their own growing of vegetables and so on. That was one way in which people became self-sufficient. Also, in little skills to make them less dependent on the mainline economy. This is building up your own economic activity so that you become self-sufficient, so that you’re not dependent on the people who are actually exploiting you. That's the one thing. The second thing is that you are not supporting the exploitative mechanism. By becoming independent or dependent on yourself rather than on these economic giants, you're making a statement and you're also showing that, at the end of the day, they depend on us as consumers. And if we stop consuming what they produce, then it makes them think, it makes them reassess what they are doing. That's one of the ways in which one indicates to people that we are unhappy about the way you are doing things. “Constructive program” emerges as one of the most empowering and effective tools nonviolent activists can use to push back against oppressive forces and set up a more just and peaceful world.  Transcript archived at Waging Nonviolence The post Rooted in Nonviolence – Ela Gandhi appeared first on Metta Center.

On this episode of Nonviolence Radio, Stephanie and Michael are joined by Kelly Denton-Borhaug. Kelly teaches in the Global Religious Department at Moravian University and has written extensively on issues of war culture, moral injury and the ways that sacrifice can be used as a means to dehumanize and oppress marginalized people. Kelly traces the celebration of sacrifice — so pervasive in America today — back to the Bible, back to Ancient Greece and Rome, revealing the deep roots of this powerful and destructive rhetoric. Her work encourages us to think seriously about the damaging consequences of this kind of thinking and to be aware of how religious language can be misused to support, sustain and normalize a culture of war.  We need, Kelly insists, to listen to the voices of those who have been unjustly pushed into lives of violence and battle. More broadly, we need to push back against this worldview and reckon with the impact it has, not only on soldiers but on all of us, collectively, as human beings. What I would like to call for is for members of the nonviolence community to really become much more sophisticated in terms of seeing these kinds of dynamics and calling them out, calling out the exploitation of the use of sacrificial verses in the Bible and the way that they are used in war culture; calling out the language and the logic of sacrifice, and actually lifting up the destructive consequences of actual sacrificial dynamics that are endemic to war culture. I think that as people who care about nonviolence and who are, frankly, so often characterized as naïve about the world and about the dangers of the world — nonviolent actors — I would love to see them become much more sophisticated about calling out the naivety of those who claim that violence works, and those who unashamedly resort to these kinds of references to religion, to sacralize, undergird, and frankly, conceal the real process and the real consequences of the use of violence. Transcript archived at Waging Nonviolence The post No Greater Love? Moral Injury and Sacrifice appeared first on Metta Center.

As we move into the days commemorating the horrific bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we join with activists and scholars around the world who say “no” to nuclear proliferation. What kind of wealth system, what kind of thinking about human life and our shared ecology would pose a fundamental challenge to the nuclear mindset?  We invited Dr. Michael Allen to Nonviolence Radio to offer a short but meaningful “teach-in” about the foundations of Western economic thought in Thomas Hobbes and its revolutionary contrast in the economics of Mahatma Gandhi.  Transcript archived at Waging Nonviolence. The post Enough for Everyone appeared first on Metta Center.

This week, Michael and Stephanie welcome Dr. Wim Laven, professor, author, board member of the International Peace Research Association and the Peace and Justice Studies Association, and Editor in Chief of Peace Chronicle magazine. Wim's work looks at the immense power of forgiveness as well as the very real difficulties involved in the act of forgiving. How does forgiving release us and allow us to move forward? What are the conditions needed for meaningful forgiveness? How can we forgive the unforgivable?  People are figuring out, you know, and being coached by their friends and their family and their spiritual advisors and so forth, that in order to live their best lives, they're going to have to release some of these injustices, despite the fact that it's completely unfair, right? Like police departments pulling over people just because of the color of their skin or just because they've profiled them to match descriptions of whatever prejudicial bias they would like to monitor. But being angry about it, staying angry about it, is having harmful consequences. In that capacity, the police officer is just following orders and we know that just following orders has been used as a defence about some of the most heinous crimes in history. But it really is. It's the system or the structure that's creating those outcomes. I don’t know how much the student is aware that what they’re doing is forgiving the racism in America, but I do know that they are aware that if they stay angry, then they'll be unemployed. And they're finding ways to get over that – at least to the degree that they’re able to function, you know? It's challenging stuff. I think that there are some people that would say that that's not really forgiveness. I would. I do. I think that I've learned a lot from my students sharing their experiences and their practices for how they get through the critical injustices in the world. Wim's work with students in prison and all over the world illuminates the way in which forgiving plays an essential role in helping individuals to release anger so that they can live more freely and fully. At the level of society, Wim shows how forgiving can work to dismantle power structures that allow for, even encourage cruel, unjust and violent actions. Forgiving is not easy, but it is a powerful force which, when harnessed, allows for deep and lasting transformation. Transcript archived at Waging Nonviolence [pending] The post Forgiveness: Its challenge and necessity appeared first on Metta Center.

Nonviolence and utopian thinking go hand in hand, or so argues Safoora Arbab on this week's episode of Nonviolence Radio. Utopian thinking is about what is possible, not what is impossible, she posits, and when coupled with nonviolence, we have both a roadmap and a means for achieving a more balanced and inclusive political identity. The goal may be “ever receding” as Gandhi said, and yet, without the clarity that utopian thinking can provide, nonviolence cannot fulfill its higher capacity to engage with long-term systems' transformation.  Michael Nagler begins the show with his Nonviolence Report for the week.  Transcript archived at Waging Nonviolence [pending] The post Utopias and the Political Imaginary appeared first on Metta Center.

How does the way that we live contribute to a nonviolent society? As the pace of society speeds up, fewer and fewer people are finding fulfillment in the promise of a world that is based on advancing technology, consumerism, and depersonalization. Yet there are pockets of nonviolence-oriented people around the world who are experimenting with community life as a solution to our society's ills. While this does not mean that there will not be any conflicts (remember, conflict is natural–violence is not), or that the experiment is perfect (for Gandhi, all was an experiment, a learning opportunity), it is precisely in community living infused with high ideals like those of the nonviolent path, that we can see ourselves and our human potential more clearly.  In this episode of Nonviolence Radio we speak with Tim Anderson, a full-time resident of a nonviolence-oriented community in the South of France, founded by Lanza del Vasto, an Italian follower of the Gandhian path.  In the Nonviolence Report, Michael Nagler makes the radical case for restorative justice because of the impact of retribution on the human psyche and our societal development; and Stephanie shares an article from Waging Nonviolence by Robert Levering about Daniel Ellsberg's conversion to nonviolence, and a press release from the Shanti Sena Network on their upcoming gathering, to which all are invited! Transcript archived at Waging Nonviolence. [Link pending] The post Simple Living Rooted in Nonviolent Ideals appeared first on Metta Center.

Renowned Palestinian activist and humanitarian Mubarak Awad on nonviolence, his activism, and insights for action as the conflict in Israel-Palestine continues to smoulder. The post A Palestinian’s Journey to Nonviolence appeared first on Metta Center.

The legacy of Mahatma Gandhi goes well beyond the Indian Freedom Struggle. He has influenced countless movements and struggles for freedom and democracy around the world, decolonization struggles, including the civil rights movement within the United States. We speak with P. Anand Rao who is a professor of Communications and Digital Studies at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I reached out to Rao to see if he could talk to us a little bit about what research he’s done into this connection between Gandhi and the civil rights movement. And also, how it ties into the legacy of James Farmer. I also happen to be an alum of Mary Washington. So, I was very excited to find on a listserv that I’m a part of, M.K.Gandi.org, that a professor from Mary Washington wrote a piece for his local newspaper about the influence of Gandhi on the civil rights movement. As I started to reflect back, I remembered there was a statue right across from the building where I studied philosophy (the Classics, Philosophy and Religion department) of a great Civil Rights leader, James Farmer. And I thought, “Well, maybe it isn’t unlikely that a professor from Mary Washington would be speaking about the civil rights movement and Gandhi, given that there’s actually a deep legacy between the University of Mary Washington and the civil rights leader, James Farmer. Read the transcript at Waging Nonviolence. The post Gandhi’s Influence on Dr. James Farmer appeared first on Metta Center.

00:23 Intro 00:55 Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding Course 01:36 Third Harmony Screening in Jalgaon 02:06 Meta Peace Team Trainings 03:18 Campaign Nonviolence workshops 03:38 Stephen Zunes Sudan’s 2019 Revolution 04:41 Digital Nonviolence Talk 05:28 Housing Solution Summit 06:12 Votercade for John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Day 06:46 Protests of Berlin’s repeal of “rent cap” 07:43 People’s Choice Communications 09:11 First Global Scientist Rebellion Play Global Scientist Rebellion – civil disobedience at Downing Street 10:06 Diana Wilson – hunger strike 11:42 Coal Miners Union transition 13:31 Women Protection Teams in South Sudan The post Nonviolence Report April 28, 2021 appeared first on Metta Center.

00:42 Chauvin Verdict 01:35 Healing Our City — Darnell Moore for Ma’Khia Bryant 07:58 “Madman with a Sword” analogy 08:39 Restorative Justice 09:18 Nonviolence and the case of the extremely ruthless opponent 10:56 Resources 11:02 Free Bystander Intervention & De-escalation Trainings 11:29 For Goodness Sake: Music for the Nonviolent Future 12:11 Planned Actions for Campaign Nonviolence Action Week 12:45 Rivera Sun’s Upcoming Events 12:55 Sustaining Peace Project 13:20 Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony 13:50 Indigenous Youth Arrive in DC to Tell Biden: Stop Dakota Access and Line 3 Pipelines 14:36 Defend the Sacred Alliance 15:40 Music by Eliza Gilkyson The post Nonviolence Report April 23, 2021 appeared first on Metta Center.

“Share the Day” – this is a translation of a greeting from the ocean world of Shora which was a world created by Joan Slonczewksi. She’s a science fiction writer and professor at Kenyon College. This is from her 1986 novel, A Door Into Ocean. The book describes a society of people who are committed to nonviolence at a very, very deep level – and not just an emotional, sentimental kind of ‘do no harm’ nonviolence, but one that is a really deeply transformed view of what it means to be human. And with that, what’s really at stake when we turn to or away from the nonviolent path. Read the transcript at Waging Nonviolence. The post A Door Into Ocean appeared first on Metta Center.

00:00 Nonviolence Radio – Hollaback! 08:59 Five D’s of Bystander Intervention 33:20 Trainings. Webinar with Michael Beer at ICNC. NV Tactics Social Media and More Tool Kit Nonviolent Tactics Database Submissions Webinar at James Lawson Institute Michael Beer – Civil Resistance Tactics of the 21st Century Gene Sharp’s 198 Methods 36:27 “Restless as Mercury” 38:04 Yellow Finch Blockade of Mountain Valley Pipeline 39:52 Jesuit Fr. Steve Kelly 42:39 MLB All-Star Games Moved From Georgia 44:17 Judge Throws Out Charges Against Activists 45:31 Fairy Creek 46:18 Total Protest 48:38 Military Coup in Myanmar Maria Stephan’s article in Waging Nonviolence The post Nonviolence Radio April 9, 2021 appeared first on Metta Center.

How Hollaback! is Creating a Culture of Community Accountability and Mutual Respect: An Interview with Emily May. In the two weeks immediately following the Georgia attack that killed 8 people, 6 of them Asian women, over 40,000 people signed up for trainings in bystander intervention with an incredible organization called Hollaback! They’re really leaders in the world of bystander intervention as a tool to end harassment, teaching a framework known as the “Five Ds” (Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct) which many groups who do similar work borrow from them. According to Emily May, Hollaback!’s Co-Founder and Executive Director,  “It’s something that all of us can do to take care of each other when harassment happens that slowly but surely chips away at the institutions that underlie it – the institutions of racism and sexism and homophobia that allow it to proliferate to the extent to which it has.” She adds, however, that bystander intervention is only one piece of the solution, noting that we have to also turn to restorative and transformative justice, and “solutions we haven’t even imagined yet.” I had the opportunity to speak with May from her Brooklyn office for Nonviolence Radio about showing up for community, the 5 Ds, why they don’t recommend calling the police, the power of sharing our stories (they have an App for that!), and the importance of ‘resourcing’ organizations like Hollaback!. (Transcript is pending to be published at WagingNonviolence.org.) The post Bystander Intervention is only the beginning appeared first on Metta Center.

00:38 Jain Studies — Teaching Peace 01:20 Greta Zarro – Organizing 101 01:53 Anniversary of “Breaking Silence” 02:29 Kazu Haga – Fierce Vulnerability 03:49 Michael Beer – Civil Resistance Tactics of the 21st Century 05:00 BLM in Birmingham 06:36 Annova LNG 07:24 Herring Protectors 08:24 Canadian fighter jet protests 09:58 Myanmar 11:43 Tulsa Massacre of 1921 13:43 Maria Stefan’s article in WNV The post Nonviolence Report April 02, 2021 appeared first on Metta Center.

Shannon M. Wills is a writer and artist based in Denver, Colorado, working at the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and nonviolent activism. A dedicated student of the world's mystical traditions, her passion lies in delving into life's mysteries, mining them for wisdom to apply to our modern lives. She previously served as director of the Metta Center for Nonviolence and co-founded Nonviolence Lab, a training organization for nonviolent philosophy and practice. Her current project is called Wake Up, Human is a website and podcast dedicated to "reawakening the native powers of the human being," and our potential for using those powers to build a more conscious, compassionate, and connected world. She explores the nature of our separation from our native wisdom, the sources of our separation, and the ways we can come back into wholeness, for the good of all life.

Bystander Intervention is a way to get the skills and the training that we need to feel comfortable in community situations to be able to de-escalate violence that’s in word from other people or in deeds. On the show today is Mary Hanna a core team member of the Meta Peace Team. The post Tips for Bystander Intervention MPT appeared first on Metta Center.

In this episode: Zero Emissions Economy Saferworld Public pressure on utility companies Protests in Haiti Military coup in Myanmar Skills Practice Hour Third Harmony Peace and Popcorn ICNC Webinar with Michael Beer Pace e Bene trainings Department of Peace A Business Plan for Peace GNAD makeover Sakae Kato The post Nonviolence Report March 17, 2021 appeared first on Metta Center.

Music by Nimo Patel This week Nonviolence Radio revisits a 2018 interview with Yasmin Maydhane and Carmen Lauzon from Nonviolent Peaceforce, an organization dedicated to effective nonviolent conflict resolution. Yasmin and Carmen talk about their work doing unarmed civilian protection in South Sudan and the Philippines, respectively. They share inspiring stories about the power of entering into dangerous conflict areas unarmed, but committed to helping communities entrenched in violence to uncover their own solutions, based on their own wisdom and traditions. Nonviolent Peaceforce sees unarmed civilian protection as a way to allow conflict ridden communities to regain the knowledge and power that they’ve always had, and to use it to bring about and sustain peace. The entire UCP principle is about resiliency. It’s about enhancing community or in-house protection strategies, monitoring strategies, general life stock. Like how have you always taken care of your community? And how do we use that and make it better? We are not the ones who suggest how to improve these things. We let the community tell us how they want to improve things. And we do that with them because we live with them. I mean we live in the same places that they do. We eat the same food that they do. We are with them 24/7 which means we get to see if they don’t like something or they want something changed, we also at times can see why they want that. If we agree or don’t agree, either way, that decision is not ours. The decision is the community’s. The whole point of UCP is to engage with the community so that we, as humanitarian workers, U.N. agencies, you know, are no longer needed. The community is self-sufficient so as to be able to take care of themselves. And they are.  The post Security Without Violence appeared first on Metta Center.

The Nonviolence Report with Michael Nagler for March  5th, 2021.In this Episode — 01:01     Digital savviness 01:48     DC Peace Team Capitol Report 02:27     Meta Peace Team going to Israel-Palestine 04:47     Basic Training for UCP 05:09     Peace and Justice Studies Association https://www.gppac.net/improving-practice-webinar-series 06:25     Nonviolence International webinar 08:21     Myanmar protestors killed 09:47     Principled Nonviolence 10:08     Obstructive program Constructive program 10:34     Abdul Ghaffar Khan — My Life and Struggle 12:06     Pace e Bene workshop 13:16     Glossary of Civil Resistance 14:18     Ecuador’s Green Movement Victory 14:45     Peace Alliance 15:44     Restorative Justice Workshop 16:07     Stories From the Front Line 17:01     Protests in Myanmar 17:39     A dilemma action 18:21     Line 3 Pipeline 19:15     Institute for Local Self Reliance 19:57     Life Affirming Economies The post Nonviolence Report March 05, 2021 appeared first on Metta Center.

This week, after the Nonviolence Report. Nonviolence Radio broadcasts a recording of a speech from the keynote from the Association for the Contemplative Mind in Higher Education’s 2017 conference by Dr. Fania Davis. As the founder of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, a legal scholar, and a decades-long activist in the civil rights anti-racial violence, anti-apartheid, Black liberation, women’s, prisoner’s, peace, socialist and anti-imperialist movements, Dr. Davis talks about the power of restorative justice — as opposed to retributive justice — to heal and bring together communities fractured by violence, racism, fear and rage.  What is restorative justice? It is a worldview, rooted in indigenous principles, and a theory of justice that emphasizes bringing together everyone affected by wrongdoing to address their needs and responsibilities and to heal the harm as much as possible. To heal the harm as much as possible. It is a worldview rooted in indigenous principles and a theory of justice. Our prevailing justice system is based on a Roman notion of just desserts. If I do harm, the scales of justice become imbalanced and the only way to rebalance is to do harm to me.  Restorative justice invites a paradigm shift.  The three questions retributive justice asks are, “What rule was broken? Who broke it? And what punishment is deserved?” The three questions restorative justice asks are, “Who was harmed? What are the needs and responsibilities of everyone impacted? And how do all impacted come together to address needs and responsibilities and heal the harm? By drawing on her strengths as both a (wisdom, spiritual) warrior and a healer, Dr. Davis has helped bring about massive changes in the Oakland public schools. The use of restorative justice practices has raised graduation rates, drastically decreased the numbers of suspensions and absences and is starting to loosen the tight grip of racism on the education system and our society. The possibility of genuine healing depends on making space — creating a circle — where every voice matters and every voice is heard. The post Nonviolence in the Justice System appeared first on Metta Center.

The post The Politics of Reparations appeared first on Metta Center.

Michael Nagler gives the Nonviolence Report for February 5, 2021. In this episode:00:31 President Biden ending support for the war in Yemen.01:17 10-point Plan for peace president. 1:56 The end of private prisons by the U.S. Justice Department2:23 Overturning the Muslim ban. Rejection of KXL pipeline. Rejoining of the Paris Agreement.3:54 Stephen Zunes article5:07 Truth and Healing Council 6:18 Virginia abolishes the death penalty6:41 Farmers Struggle in India8:51 Gene Sharp’s 198 methods for nonviolent resistance 9:38 Coup in Myanmar10:41 Peruvian doctors go on hunger strike to protest pandemic stress Resources:14:02 ICNC  — Civil Resistance Struggles course15:28 Course on Restorative Justice 15:53 Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative 16:34 Ecoleaks 17:22 Campaign Nonviolence Pledge 17:49 What the Anti-Coup Campaign Taught Us 18:08 Is sabotaging fox hunts nonviolence? Learn more The post Nonviolence Report Feb 5, 2021 appeared first on Metta Center.

Stephen Zunes, professor of Politics and International Studies at University of San Francisco, joins Michael and Stephanie on this episode of Nonviolence Radio to talk about how the coup attempt on January 6 reveals some remarkable and genuinely hopeful forces growing inside our democracy. Rather than fear and outrage, Professor Zunes encourages us to take heart in the effective and well-planned nonviolent response by many activists to the angry protesters. This response was not spontaneous, indeed for months various groups and organizations offered targeted trainings on a range of nonviolent methods — and activists clearly learned some key strategies necessary for effective nonviolent action: “You have this combination of people who have shown a willingness to hit the streets and a willingness to be willing to face arrest and to engage in massive noncooperation. There was one thing that was really important about these trainings: it emphasized the importance of noncooperation that underscores what Gene Sharp and a lot of other people – Gandhi and so many other people that I’ve talked about before – governments are only as strong as people’s willingness to cooperate.” The nonviolent response on January 6 to the violent challenge to the American democracy could only have happened given a growing commitment to nonviolence, one that we have every right to expect will continue should greater threats emerge in the future. And it is precisely this commitment that, with effort and dedication, will allow us to listen better and come together as citizens who may disagree on this or that policy, but ultimately care deeply about each other as human beings. Find the Transcript Here at Waging Nonviolence The post Coup vs. Nonviolence appeared first on Metta Center.

This week’s episode of Nonviolence Radio pays special tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on the 92nd anniversary of his birth. Michael begins by going over some nonviolence news, covering events in the US and abroad. He highlights the urgent need to listen, to see each other — whatever our different beliefs — as fellow humans, all of us in need of a sense of belonging to a meaningful world. This is followed by a recording of a speech given by Dr. Clayborne Carson of the MLK Institute at Stanford University in 2017. Dr. Carson turns to the life of Martin Luther. King Jr., recognizing not only the ‘mountaintop moments’ but the valleys he faced and courageously strode through. Dr. Carson calls upon us to remember King’s bigger vision which embraced not only civil rights in the US, but human rights across the globe. “So what I would suggest is that when we go back and look at Martin Luther King’s question, “Where do we go from here?”, that it’s very possible that gaining citizenship rights has made us very complacent about human rights. We are secure and very happy in our rights as Americans in terms of citizenship because those are the rights that we expect our government to protect. But there’s a realm of rights which is constantly being evolved in the world. A realm of rights that belongs to people as people. And it’s those rights that serve as a standard for citizenship rights. As we expand — what is our ideal for what rights should be?– that comes when we look at Martin Luther King. It’s very clear that his ideal for what rights should be is not grounded on a piece of paper, it’s not grounded on a constitution, it’s not grounded on law itself. It’s grounded on Christianity, the Judeo-Christian tradition, the prophetic tradition, the notion of justice.” The post “Where Do We Go From Here?” appeared first on Metta Center.

“… the ecofeminist option is a third option. Neither extinction nor escape. We stay here on this earth and protect her. That is the work we’ve done. That’s the work that we are called to do, and that’s the revolutionary work of our times. We know the earth is living and all ancient cultures recognized Mother Earth.” — Vandana Shiva This week’s episode of Nonviolence Radio is a recording of a talk given by Vandana Shiva, environmentalist, activist, author, and scholar. For decades, Shiva has been advocating — nonviolently — for sustainable agriculture, for the rights of small farmers, for biodiversity, for women. She calls for a shift not only in the way we grow and distribute food, but a radical change in the way we understand our relationship with the earth. While the environmental crisis we face today has led many to seek to escape (for instance, through space travel) or become pessimistic, convinced of our species’ imminent extinction, Shiva sees a third possibility: ecofeminism. The post Vandana Shiva ‘Neither Extinction nor escape’ appeared first on Metta Center.

Dr. Jude Currivan — cosmologist, futurist, planetary healer and author of the new book, The Cosmic Hologram — is this week’s guest on Nonviolence Radio, and she ‘illuminates’ for listeners (and readers) a new perspective from which to understand the cosmos. This perspective captures the essential unity that permeates every level of existence, from the atomic, to the personal, to the galactic. With Michael, she traces the idea of cosmic unity back to ancient spiritual traditions and then returns to modern science, which is now (re)discovering the same wisdom. The meaning and unity that is the foundation of all being impacts not only scientists and scholars, but each of us in our everyday lives, “We are waking up,” Dr. Currivan says, “to literally remembering that we are inseparable. One of the things with that though is the emphasis on unity-in-diversity — because unity is not about uniformity. It’s this incredible gorgeous, wonderful radical diversity of expression.” Understanding that each of us is a unique expression of a bigger oneness or whole can explain the grounded and joyous feeling of loving and being loved, it can help to motivate our meditation practice, and perhaps most importantly, it can fuel our desire to work — nonviolently — to improve and transform the world.  The post Nonviolence and the Cosmic Picture appeared first on Metta Center.

In this episode of Nonviolence Radio, Michael Nagler interviews Mel Duncan, the co-founder and Director of Advocacy and Outreach for Nonviolent Peaceforce, a world leader in unarmed civilian protection. Mel represents Nonviolent Peaceforce at the United Nations where the group has been granted consultative status. Nonviolent Peaceforce provides direct protection to civilians caught in violent conflict and works with local groups on violence deterrence in a variety of conflict areas around the world. Mel speaks of the powerful work the Nonviolent Peaceforce has accomplished in conflict areas around the globe by identifying 77 best practices to prevent violence, protect civilians, saving lives, and promoting peace through the unique tool of Unarmed Civilian Protection. The post Nonviolent Peaceforce: Defending Democracy appeared first on Metta Center.

This week, Michael Nagler moves out of his seat as co-host on Nonviolence Radio to take the place of interviewee. Stephanie asks Michael about the course of his life — which could well be three or four lives! Michael was a professor of Comparative Literature and Classics at UC Berkeley and co-founded its Peace and Conflict Studies Program, he also co-founded and continues to act as president of the Metta Center for Nonviolence, and just this last year, he directed a film, The Third Harmony. In this interview, Michael speaks about his deep belief in the power of nonviolence and the way that principled nonviolence can help us to emerge from the spiritual crisis we’re facing now: “I feel that in the present age, the way we have to come to grips with the perennial struggle between good and evil is around the lens of nonviolence. That’s the way that it becomes most meaningful to us. That’s the way that the rubber hits the road in terms of our policies and our behaviors. And that’s the way that we can most efficiently orient ourselves to decision-making. We can ask ourselves, Is this decision violent? In other words, Is there a selfish element which will benefit one party at the expense of another?” In all his work, whether as an educator, an author, a director, Michael has been a passionate advocate for nonviolence and his efforts to reveal and celebrate its power has been a source of inspiration for many. The post Our Spiritual Crisis appeared first on Metta Center.

This week, Michael Nagler moves out of his seat as co-host on Nonviolence Radio to take the place of interviewee. Stephanie asks Michael about the course of his life -- which could well be three or four lives! Michael was a professor of Comparative Literature and Classics at UC Berkeley and co-founded its Peace and Conflict Studies Program, he also co-founded and continues to act as president of the Metta Center for Nonviolence, and just this last year, he directed a film, The Third Harmony. In this interview, Michael speaks about his deep belief in the power of nonviolence and the way that principled nonviolence can help us to emerge from the spiritual crisis we're facing now: “I feel that in the present age, the way we have to come to grips with the perennial struggle between good and evil is around the lens of nonviolence. That's the way that it becomes most meaningful to us. That's the way that the rubber hits the road in terms of our policies and our behaviors. And that's the way that we can most efficiently orient ourselves to decision-making. We can ask ourselves, Is this decision violent? In other words, Is there a selfish element which will benefit one party at the expense of another?”In all his work, whether as an educator, an author, a director, Michael has been a passionate advocate for nonviolence and his efforts to reveal and celebrate its power has been a source of inspiration for many.

“What they’re most scared of is mass noncooperation. And when mass noncooperation is organized and strategic and targeted well, it has shown again and again that it can protect democracy and challenge authoritarianism.” – Hardy Merriman How can we defend and support our democracy, which feels so vulnerable as we head into this election? What are some concrete actions that we — even those of us who are non-experts and non-activists — can take to strengthen ourselves and empower each other to choose the next president fairly? This week, Nonviolence Radio explores these questions and others with Hardy Merriman, president and CEO of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC) and coauthor of Hold the Line: A guide to defending democracy. Based on almost two decades in the field, Hardy uses his experience to offer us concrete, practical advice about just what we can do now to stand up for our Constitution and protect the principles it rests upon. “What I’m telling people” Hardy says, “is that, when we think about what might Trump do or what might his allies do, that’s speculation. The real question in the next 20 days is: what can we do?” And in fact, there is quite a lot. We need not be overwhelmed, we can bring about change if we learn some basic tools of nonviolence that have been proven to be effective, time and again, both here and abroad. Working together, we can ‘hold the line’ and ensure that the upcoming election reflects true democracy. The post Hold the Line: A guide to defending democracy appeared first on Metta Center.

This week, in addition to Michael Nagler’s Nonviolence Report, Stephanie shares an interview with Josef Woldense, assistant professor in the Department of Africa Studies and African American Studies at the University of Minnesota, also affiliated with the Political Science Department. Professor Woldense analyzes the lack of trust that characterizes authoritarian regimes, and the way it makes a leader vulnerable to a coup: the authoritarian may hold the power, but in exchange he/she can trust no one, thus mutiny is a constant threat. A strategy used by authoritarian rulers to protect themselves from mutinous coups he calls “shuffling.”  Shuffling, Professor Woldense explains, is best thought of as “a technology. What it does is it recognizes that the fuel for cliques to form is people being in close proximity to each other, having an opportunity to get to know each other. Shuffling disrupts that process: as people are getting to know each other, but before that relationship matures, what you do is you divorce people from one another by essentially having them move into different parts of the regime. They’re still part of the government, but they never get a chance to get too close to each other.” While this may help to solve the clique/coup problem, it also seems inevitably to preclude the possibility of experts — no one has time to acquire the experience needed to be competent in any government role! Thus shuffling tends to undermine the aim of a well-run regime. Professor Woldense explores these issues in their own right and also shares the way he explains this complex dynamic to his students through a role-playing game that places each one in a position where action must be taken despite the fact that information is limited.  The post How to Prevent A Political Coup appeared first on Metta Center.

Author Sumbul Ali-Karamali comes to Nonviolence Radio this week to talk about her latest book, Demystifying Shariah: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It’s Not Taking Over Our Country. Together she, Stephanie and Michael discuss the true meaning and rich history of Shariah, a term which is often profoundly misunderstood and misportrayed in mainstream media. Far from being a rigid set of religious rules which violently challenge our most basic human rights, Sumbul Ali-Karamali reveals Shariah to be a source of compassionate guidelines to be continually interpreted and reinterpreted, an evolving understanding of Islam itself, which is “meant to be flexible and adaptable according to culture and time.” The post Demystifying Shariah appeared first on Metta Center.

Professor Ron Hirschbein, founder of the War and Peace Studies Program and the Peace Institute at Cal State Chico and Professor Amin Asfari from Wake Tech College join Michael to talk about the motives and drives that generate conspiracy theories. What are some of the deeper causes that lie behind recent attacks on Jewish and Muslim communities? How might the internet galvanize individuals to commit violence against “others” in a way that traditional media did not? Together, Amin, Ron and Michael consider the powerful (and often destructive) desire for fame and recognition, the parallels between COVID and conspiracy theories, the search for life’s meaning and the insidious objects of addiction. The post Conspiracy memes as a Public Health Crisis? appeared first on Metta Center.

Renowned activist Winona LaDuke reflects on the power of an earth-based economics in a moment on our planet that is known in indigenous circles as ‘the time of the seventh fire.’ She asks the question, what are YOU going to do right now to heal our relationships with life, and are you going to choose the path of regeneration or destruction. Her talk comes to us from the organization, Slow Money. In part 2 of the show, we hear about how kids defy their parents by wearing masks, how basketball players show up in solidarity for Black lives, and how a leader clinging to power and position for 25-years in Belarus is on his way out, all in the Nonviolence Report with Michael Nagler. The post Toward an Earth-Based Economy appeared first on Metta Center.

“If racism is a way of life for some; activism has to be the way of life for the rest of us.”  ~Amisha Harding. We talk with Atlanta-based activist Amisha Harding about transforming grief and trauma with connection and nonviolent action and her organization, Courageous Conversations for the Collective. Then we hear from two participants of the Reparations Procession taking place in the East Bay, Oakland, California with information about what and who it is for, and how you can get involved in reparations work. Want more? Michael Nagler’s Nonviolence Report for July 31, 2020 is here. Extra show resources: Transcript Courageous Conversations For the Collective Facebook Reparations Procession Go Fund Me Page Instagram: @reparationsprocessionFacebook: @reparationsprocessionTwitter: @rp40days#reparationsprocession The post Courageous Conversations & Actions appeared first on Metta Center.

Podcast: This week on The Mystical Positivist, we feature a pre-recorded conversation with Michael Nagler, founder of The Metta Center for Nonviolence in 1982, and author of The Third Harmony: Nonviolence and the New Story of Human Nature. The Metta Center provides educational resources on the safe and effective use of nonviolence, with the recognition that it's not about putting the right person in power but awakening the right kind of power in people. The Metta Center advances a higher image of humankind while empowering people to explore the questions: How does nonviolence work, and how can I actively contribute to a happier, more peaceful society? As Professor Emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC, Berkeley, Michael co-founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program. His previous books include The Search for a Nonviolent Future: A Promise of Peace for Ourselves, Our Families, and Our World; and The Nonviolence Handbook: A Guide for Practical Action. He is a student of Eknath Easwaran, who founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, and he has lived at the center's ashram in Marin County, California since 1970. More information about Michael Nagler's work can be found at: Michael Nagler's personal website: michaelnagler.org, The Metta Center website: mettacenter.org, The Third Harmony film website: thirdharmony.org, Nonviolence + Science = New Story: mettacenter.org/nonviolence/newstory/, Blue Mountain Center of Meditation website: www.bmcm.org.

If someone offered you a free trip to Egypt, would you go? Would you be afraid? Tarek Mounib made this offer to Americans struggling with deep cultural biases, and documented their transformation experiences in Free Trip to Egypt. He joined Nonviolence Radio to talk about the work of healing divides. Then we turn to a talk from the Metta Center archives from Michael Nagler on the basics of nonviolence...a great refresher and reminder of the deeper dynamics at play when we engage with nonviolent energy.

If someone offered you a free trip to Egypt, would you go? Would you be afraid? Tarek Mounib made this offer to Americans struggling with deep cultural biases, and documented their transformation experiences in Free Trip to Egypt. He joined Nonviolence Radio to talk about the work of healing divides. Then we turn to a talk from the Metta Center archives from Michael Nagler on the basics of nonviolence…a great refresher and reminder of the deeper dynamics at play when we engage with nonviolent energy. The post Free Trip to Egypt appeared first on Metta Center.

On this episode of Nonviolence Radio we share a timely talk on building bridges from john a. powell, director of UC Berkeley's Otherness and Belonging Institute (formerly: Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society) from the 2019 Otherness and Belonging conference. Introducing him is Tony Iton from the California Endowment. Michael Nagler, UC Berkeley emeritus professor and President of the Metta Center for Nonviolence, responds to powell and offers his regular Nonviolence Report.

On this episode of Nonviolence Radio we share a timely talk on building bridges from john a. powell, director of UC Berkeley’s Otherness and Belonging Institute (formerly: Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society) from the 2019 Otherness and Belonging conference. Introducing him is Tony Iton from the California Endowment.  Michael Nagler, UC Berkeley emeritus professor and President of the Metta Center for Nonviolence, responds to powell and offers his regular Nonviolence Report. The post building bridges and belonging appeared first on Metta Center.

Coronavirus has uprooted the fabric of our lives. The global pandemic has unveiled gaping holes in our economic and social systems, unleashed humanity's capacity for goodwill, and propelled us into an uncertain future. How do we embrace not-knowing, recognize fear without giving into it, and respond with a heart of compassion? What would Gandhi do? How do we align with the laws of love and nonviolence in such times? On Sunday 10th May at 9AM IST, Gandhian scholars, social change luminaries and "love warriors" will dive into these questions, and more. We invite you to join us. In this inaugural Awakin Talk webinar, our panel will be composed of ... Rajni Bakshi, the Mumbai-based journalist, author and activist who, for more than 40 years, has used the power of storytelling to navigate the complex interface of India’s social and spiritual fabric to affect social change. Her 1988 book, Bapu Kuti: Journeys in rediscovery of Gandhi, was the inspiration behind 2004 Indian Blockbuster film, Swades. A child of India's partition, advocate for transforming market systems, and fearless voyager into uncharted territory, Rajni's visionary conversations reflect her deep search for truth overlaid on the breadth of her knowledge and experiences. [more] Prof. Michael Nagler is a world-renowned Gandhian scholar and founder of the first Peace and Conflict Studies program at University of California, Berkeley. His university lectures have supported over 20,000 students to absorb and incorporate ahimsa in their personal and social lives. The copious author is a recipient of many awards, including prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award for promoting Gandhian values outside India. Based in Northern California, Michael serves as President of Metta Center for Nonviolence Education, which released the documentary The Third Harmony in 2020. Michael resides at Eknath Easwaran's Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, where he has been based since 1970. [more] Drishti Trivedi, our youngest panelist, launched into experiments in service at the ripe age of eighteen. Galvanizing friends to do acts of kindness on the streets of Mumbai -- from gifting friendship bracelets and tea to strangers, to sweeping the city streets, to organizing distributed clothing drives, befriending slum children (and eventually hosting an informal street school!), and beyond -- her experiments in the power of small has naturally nurtured values-based community, unleashing umpteen ripples of goodness. Upon graduating university, she delved into NGO sector working with differently-abled populations, and has been a compassionate volunteer, witty conversationalist, big-hearted "love warrior," and unsung force of goodness in India's Moved By Love ecosystem. This powerful story of listening conveys her dynamo spirit. The panel will be moderated by Nipun Mehta, founder of ServiceSpace, a global community at the intersection of technology, volunteerism and gift-economy. Most recently, their pandemic response has showcased the unique beauty of its global ecosystem. Nipun was honored as an "unsung hero of compassion" by the Dalai Lama, not long before former U.S. President Obama appointed him to a council for addressing poverty and inequality in the US. Yet the core of what strikes anyone who meets him is the way his life is an attempt to bring smiles in the world and silence in his heart: “I want to live simply, love purely, and give fearlessly. That's me.” [more]

Often when we think about nonviolence, we think of practical strategies and techniques: How does one organize an effective sit-in or march? What is the appropriate language to use when addressing someone with whom we are in conflict? And indeed, understanding — and practicing! — these tactics are essential. However, nonviolence goes much deeper than this, it is, according to Kazu Haga, “a principled way of life and how we view the world.” This week on Nonviolence Radio, Stephanie and Michael talk to Kazu Haga, author of Healing Resistance: A Radically Different Response to Harm, to learn about his life, his own path to nonviolence, and his current work in creating Beloved Community with the East Point Peace Academy. Kazu Haga reminds us that we all have the potential to do harm, to act cruelly — we all get lost. But this is not cause for despair. Rather, recognizing this part of our common humanity unites us, provides us with the very foundation that allows us to choose nonviolence as a way of life The post Kazu Haga on the everyday duty to practice nonviolence appeared first on Metta Center.

This week’s episode of Nonviolence Radio brings Paul K. Chappell in conversation with Michael and Stephanie. Paul is now the Peace Literacy Director of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and the author of the “Road to Peace” book series, but as a West Point graduate and a veteran of the war in Iraq, he is in a unique position to explain how the power of nonviolence exceeds that of traditional forms of military power. The post Paul K. Chappell on Nonviolence and Peace Literacy appeared first on Metta Center.

The work for peace begins when we are ready to try another way of resolving our problems. Matthew Legge, Peace Program Coordinator for the Canadian Friends Service Committee talks about his findings in his new book, ‘Are We Done Fighting?: Building Understanding in a World of Hate and Division’. The post Are we done fighting? appeared first on Metta Center.

Who was Barbara Deming and why do we need her wisdom today? The post Barbara Deming: Her Message Today. appeared first on Metta Center.

“The Green New Deal is a good idea,” people say, but “how are we going to pay for it?” There are many ways. As Executive Director of Nuclear Ban US, Tim Wallis has offered a special report, From Warheads to Windmills, on how to pay for a Green New Deal through an ambitious plan to de-nuclearize our world. It’s a practical approach that should be on the table given the dire urgency presented to us by our climate crisis. Followed by the Nonviolence Report with Michael Nagler.  The post Warheads to Windmills: An interview with Tim Wallis appeared first on Metta Center.

What happens when a government decides to protect only some of its people? We talk with Sana Alam and Prashant Nema about the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA), The National Register of Citizens, and the nascent protest movement in India it gave rise to; and what the true nature of this deep national controversy is. People around the world are rising up together in protest of this bill to protect the rights of Muslims and non-caste Hindus, and to get involved we all need to help spread the word. Interview followed by the Nonviolence Report with Michael Nagler.  The post India Rises Against Modi’s Bill appeared first on Metta Center.

A show on winning! Why have politics become like a sports match and how can we overcome this dynamic? The post Triumph! Winning! And why it matters. appeared first on Metta Center.

We promote the power of nonviolence worldwide across the airwaves. Tune in. The post Nonviolence in Action appeared first on Metta Center.

Yoga is more than poses we do with our bodies to stretch. It’s more than expensive studio memberships and yoga gear. It is, as described in the classical Hindu text, The Bhagavad Gita, “skill in action,” a path to recognizing our deep interconnectedness and healing our divides. Listen to insights from Michelle C. Johnson on the power of radicalizing yoga practice in order to invite the hard work of social justice onto our mats, and into the rest of our lives. (Even if you don’t do yoga, this show is for you.) Followed by Michael Nagler’s Nonviolence Report. The post Skill in Action: The Yoga of Nonviolence appeared first on Metta Center.

Were you part of a climate action? Daniel Hunter wrote a manual on climate resistance for 350.org to help strategize for what's next. The post I was part of a climate action. Now what? appeared first on Metta Center.

It's nuclear disarmament week, so we ask: Do nuclear weapons make us safe, and should we care about them? We hear from Anna Ikeda from the Office for UN Affairs of Soka Gakkai International. The post Do Nuclear Weapons Make Us Safe? appeared first on Metta Center.

We all have unconscious bias and we all have work to do to become aware of, and unlearn it. It’s a life-long effort, and like any effort in nonviolence, it can be done with strategy and an open-heart toward the people involved.  For over 21 years, feminist activist and scholar Sally Eck has been leading workshops on “interruptions,” and “calling-in.” She offers empowerment, tools, and strategy for interrupting oppressive attitudes and language. Listen in here for her interview and the Nonviolence Report, news from the world of nonviolence with Michael Nagler. Transcript available here. The post Call-In: Interrupting Oppression with Strategy and Heart appeared first on Metta Center.

Coercion is not an “either-or” issue in nonviolence. On this episode, we discuss what coercion means, how it relates to power and persuasion, its risks when drawn upon as a “first resort,” and where it fits in a strategic escalation of nonviolent action. Followed by the Nonviolence Report with Michael Nagler. The post On Nonviolence and Coercion appeared first on Metta Center.

Professionally trained as a green architect, Pete Gang “aspires to be a good ancestor,” and believes that the root of our climate woes is how we think about life itself. He talks to us about how his passion for climate justice is informed by a deep commitment to nonviolence and our interrelation to the world around us, and how “being a good ancestor” can be expressed in our daily actions and practices of community resilience. Plus the Nonviolence Report with Michael Nagler. Interview transcript here. The post The Intersection of Climate, Architecture, and Kindness: An Interview with Future Ancestor, Pete Gang appeared first on Metta Center.

While on a visit to New Delhi, India, Michael Nagler, founder of the Metta Center and Co-host of Nonviolence Radio, met up with Gandhian activist Rajiv Vora and Niyati Bhat to discuss the principles and trials of nonviolence in Kashmir. In the full interview, you will hear Rajiv describe some of the hard-won lessons nonviolence he has learned experientially while working in a high-intensity conflict zone. Niyati will describe her own experience as someone who had to leave Kashmir because of the violence and how she became interested in nonviolence. 

While on a visit to New Delhi, India, Michael Nagler, founder of the Metta Center and Co-host of Nonviolence Radio, met up with Gandhian activist Rajiv Vora and Niyati Bhat to discuss the principles and trials of nonviolence in Kashmir. The post Conflict and Nonviolence in Kashmir appeared first on Metta Center.

Hear from Jamila Raqib of the Albert Einstein Institution on democracy and nonviolence. The post Democracy & Nonviolence: Jamila Raqib appeared first on Metta Center.

Oren Jay Sofer, author of Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication, talks about the power of communication and offers clear and practical tools for tough conversations (and texts and tweets). The post Transforming Hate Speech with ‘Right Speech’ appeared first on Metta Center.

In this episode, we start with the Nonviolence Report (News and Analysis). We're joined by artists and conflict resolution specialists, Zann and Craig Jacobrown. They've brought along their workbook, “The Ancient Art of Conflict Resolution,” which draws inspiration from activities/practices/belief systems of the indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest's conflict resolution teachings.The post Nonviolence Radio: March 15, 2019 appeared first on Metta Center.

“We have to repair harm between individuals as well as repair harm in community.” We're joined by Michael Gilbert, Executive Director of the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice as we explore the dynamics and meaning of community justice. Followed by your fresh take of Nonviolence in the News with Michael Nagler.The post Community Justice AND Restorative Justice appeared first on Metta Center.

Michael Nagler is Professor emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC, Berkeley, where he co-founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program. He is the author of The Nonviolence Handbook: A Guide to Practical Action and is the founder and president of the Metta Center for Nonviolence. We discuss the basics of nonviolence, common myths and misunderstandings, lessons learned in recent nonviolence movements, and how we can bring about a more nonviolent world. Links The Nonviolence Handbook Metta Center for Nonviolence Mindful Communication website Mindful Communication Facebook Mindful Communication Instagram

A Message from Michael Nagler, Founder & President Probably the most hopeful sign in today’s world is the way nonviolence and the knowledge of how it works is spreading. The knowledge, however, often lags behind the practice. Our culture is simply not “tuned in” to a power that draws upon the unity of life instead […] The post Michael Nagler of the Metta Center for Nonviolence appeared first on Restorative Justice On The Rise.

Cody and Doug host an interview with Joran Oppelt. Joran is author of “Integral Church.” He and his wife reside in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area where Joran is the owner of the Metta Center. We talk with him about his integral group and how he sees the future of faith communities. Joran is another example of the evolutionary leap beyond traditional Christianity. Thanks for joining us.

Cody and Doug host an interview with Joran Oppelt. Joran is author of “Integral Church.” He and his wife reside in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area where Joran is the owner of the Metta Center. We talk with him about his integral group and how he sees the future of faith communities. Joran is another example of the evolutionary leap beyond traditional Christianity. Thanks for joining us.

Michael Nagler is Professor emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC, Berkeley, where he founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program; Founder and President of the Metta Center for Nonviolence and author of “Our Spiritual Crisis,” “The Nonviolence Handbook,” and the award winning “The Search for a Nonviolent Future.” His writings have appeared in other venues such as the Wall Street Journal and he has spoken and written about nonviolence, meditation, and world peace for more than thirty years at campuses, public venues. Among other awards, he received the Jamnalal Bajaj International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India in 2007.

Michael Nagler is Professor emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC, Berkeley, where he founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program; Founder and President of the Metta Center for Nonviolence and author of “Our Spiritual Crisis,” “The Nonviolence Handbook,” and the award winning “The Search for a Nonviolent Future.” His writings have appeared in other venues such as the Wall Street Journal and he has spoken and written about nonviolence, meditation, and world peace for more than thirty years at campuses, public venues. Among other awards, he received the Jamnalal Bajaj International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India in 2007.

We’ve all seen and heard kids playing out violent scenarios–mostly because they have not learned enough about how nonviolence works and what other options they have. In this podcast I share the story of how one mother was able to gently show her son the power of rehumanization while playing his game with him. Listen to the five minute podcast here.  Or below the bio box… Have a story related to this podcast? Share it in the comment section below.       The post Empowering nonviolent play appeared first on Metta Center.

  Conflict is natural and healthy. Violence is avoidable. In this podcast I talk about a practical approach for understanding conflict as a necessary part of developing our most humane qualities and the art of engaging conflict without resorting to violence.  Podcast time: 5 minutes. Listen here or at with the player below the bio box. The post Conflict is Natural- Podcast appeared first on Metta Center.

  This week we honor one of the greatest American philosophers, communicators and leaders of our country's history. This Sunday evening, we invite you on a journey with us into practicing the assertive and active force of love, as taught and lived by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We welcome Kazu Haga, Coordinator and Trainer at East Point Peace Academy, and Melissa Crosby, activist, educator and poet, our local direct connection to the living lineage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s effective teachings. The Eastpoint Peace Academy is an organization dedicated to bringing about a culture of peace through training, education and the practice of nonviolence and conflict reconciliation. East Point is grounded in the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and works with incarcerated populations, youth, activists and community leaders to bring about the framework for the future, the “Beloved Community.” Kazu, Melissa, and our hosts, Timothy Regan and Marlena Willis, will share practical approaches to raising our voices and our power to create what King always wanted as the framework for the future, “the beloved community.” Melissa will talk about upcoming “Reclaim MLK” events, which are focused on direct actions dedicated to non-violent protest: “We are redefining our values and our self-worth and in doing so create more space to come into connection, to care for and learn from each other. When we come together, we have a glimpse into our collective power, and we are starting to see that very clearly now.” About Kazu Haga: Born in Japan, Kazu has been engaged in social change work since participating in the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage at 17 years old. He has over 15 years of experience in nonviolence, training and organizing work and has been trained by elders such as Dr. Bernard Lafayette and Rev. James Lawson. He has been a Kingian Nonviolence trainers since 2009, is the co-founder/Board Chair of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice sits on the board of PeaceWorkers and the OneLife Institute, as well as the Strategic Advisory Council of the Metta Center for Nonviolence. About Melissa Crosby: For over 18 years Melissa has dedicated herself to creating positive lasting change in the lives of youth. She is an educator, activist, organizer, scientist, and humanitarian. The post Practicing the Assertive and Active Force of Love: Living MLK Jr.'s Vision of “Beloved Community” appeared first on KPFA.

How do we express to children we are working together as a team and what effect can it have? In this episode, I explore the power–and challenges of– working together on setting boundaries with children in a respectful way that models for them a productive way of saying ‘no’ as well. Episode length: Six Minutes LISTEN HERE or below the bio box.     The post “We’re friends.”: Parent Power Podcast appeared first on Metta Center.

Nonviolence has a scientific basis. Learn about a few recent discoveries in this short podcast. Listen in here or underneath the bio box below!           The post Science of Nonviolence: Parent Power appeared first on Metta Center.

In this podcast, I review a couple of definitions of nonviolence to help facilitate conversations about it between grown-ups and children as they journey on the path of peace.  Listen in here  or by clicking on the audio box below.   The post Nonviolence is…Parent Power Podcast appeared first on Metta Center.

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” –Simone Weil Have you ever had a conversation with someone who was multitasking (including using a device)? What did it feel like? Did you feel like you were being heard? Did you feel a connection? Children in our lives want our full attention (and that way, they don’t have to try to work for it in negative ways). Not for long periods at a time, we find, but short bursts of total one-pointed attention. How can we do this? In this 4 minute podcast, Prof. Michael Nagler, a long-time meditator discusses the power and practice of ONE-POINTED ATTENTION for those working with children and, well, anyone, really! Listen in a new window by clicking this link or by clicking the audio box below the big ol’ bio-box below. You can also find us on iTunes and Stitcher.  The post “We want your full attention!”–Parent Power appeared first on Metta Center.

Donate to The Permaculture Podcast Online: via PayPal Venmo: @permaculturepodcast Chris is a peace activist from Chico, California, who serves with the Christian Peacemaker Teams, recently returning from Palestine,  and is the producer of the radio documentary series "Bringing Down the New Jim Crow," which explores the movement to end the system of mass incarceration in the United States. Our conversation today is based on his forthcoming book The Gandhian Iceberg: A Nonviolence Manifesto for the Age of the Great Turning. Today we talk about nonviolence and the three parts to the Gandhian model: self-purification, constructive programs, and satyagraha. I became aware of Chris and his work through conversations with Ethan Hughes, who gave me a rough copy of The Gandhian Iceberg. Through that, and time spent at The Possibility Alliance, meeting with members of the Catholic Worker Movement, and those practicing nonviolence and building egalitarian communities, a light went off in my thoughts on how nonviolence is a required component of creating the world espoused by permaculture. That lead to this conversation with Chris on how to move from a place of anger and fear, to one of compassion and love. As discussions emerge about how the third ethic of permaculture is the least discussed and most confusing to understand and implement, nonviolence and the Gandhian model provide a way to return this ethic to a proper place in our practice. Before we begin I'd like to thank the sponsors, Good Seed Company, and the sponsors of the day, PermieKids and Your Garden Solution. PermieKids, created by permaculture practitioner and educator Jen Mendez, is a resource to inspire and nurture those teachers, parents, and families interested in incorporating permaculture education into the lives of children in the community or at home. Though the site Jen offers a free ongoing podcast where you can learn about transitioning to a rich, ecologically sound life that includes children and learning at every step of the way. If you want to dive deeper you may be interested in her Community Experiential Education by Design program, or Edge Alliances. Find out more at PermieKids.com. Your Garden Solution is a Pennsylvania company run by a permaculture practitioner and their business partner that helps people to garden using the techniques developed by Mel Bartholomew and popularized in his book Square Foot Gardening. In addition to garden installation and education, they also have an excellent soil mix and compost ready for your raised beds. Find out more at yourgardensolution.org. You can contact Chris at moorebackman@gmail.com and find more about his work via the links in the resource section in the show notes. Creating a more bountiful world requires peace and nonviolence. To continue to exist under old methods and modes that create feelings of scarcity and result in violence and oppression don't fit within the ethics of permaculture. A new revolution is required, lead by the practice self-purification, constructive programs, and satyagraha. Should you choose to embrace this path, and I suggest you explore it further at the very least, there are additional resources in the notes for this episode that include links to the Metta Center for Nonviolence, a series of free books on nonviolence from the Albert Einstein Institute, and further articles on satyagraha and the power of nonviolence. Along the way if I can assist you, wherever you are, get in touch. My phone number is and email is . If digital means are not your preferred way to reach me, you can also drop something in the mail. That address is: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast To connect with the show and other listeners, you can become a sustaining member at Patreon.com/permaculturepodcast, on Facebook as The Permaculture Podcast with Scott Mann, and on Twitter where I am @permaculturecst. I'm also using Instagram quite a bit, and you can find me there as PermaculturePodcast. From here I'll be on the road in April, returning to Berea Kentucky and the Clear Creek Community. While there on April 23, 2016 we're holding Spring into Permaculture hosted by Clear Creek Schoolhouse. The day starts at noon and heads on into the evening with a potluck and in-person recording of the podcast, and Jereme Zimmerman, author of Make Mead Like a Viking, will be there teaching a meadmaking workshop from 1 - 3pm. Find out more at clearcreekschoolhouse.org. After that, on June 18, 2016, is the Mid-Atlantic Permaculture Convergence outside of Charles Town, West Virginia, hosted by Emma Huvos of The Riverside Project. The keynote speaker for this day is Michael Judd, talking about his experiences as a permaculture practitioner, and there will be classes and workshops on Living in the Gift, Animals in Permaculture, Broadacre permaculture, whole systems learning, as well as plant walks and tree ID sessions. As this event is limited to 100 tickets, pick yours up today at midatlanticpermacultureconvergence.eventbrite.com.   Sponsors The Good Seed Company PermieKids Your Garden Solution Resources Chris's Email: moorebackman (at) gmail.com Bringing Down the New Jim Crow Chris's Articles at Truth-Out Dr. Michael Nagler, author of The Search for a Nonviolent Future Martin Luther King, The Inconvenient Hero by Vincent Harding Brene Brown Gene Sharp Michael Brown “The Presence Process” Charles Eisenstein Peace Projects Be the Change Reno, Nevada The New Community Project Harrisonburg, Virginia Canticle Farm Oakland, California Additional Resources Nonviolence: Working Definitions (Metta Center for Nonviolence) Satyagraha (Wikipedia) Non-violence, the appropriate and effective response to human conflicts Collection of free books on nonviolence (Albert Einstein Institute) The Power of Nonviolence /r/nonviolence (reddit)

Ever try to talk to your child about Martin Luther King, Jr.? Here’s a quick intro to his vision of nonviolence. Learn about six principles of Kingian nonviolence from 5th grade teacher and Kingian nonviolence trainer, Robin Wildman on this episode of Parent Power Podcast! Listen here, or at the player underneath my bio box. You can also find this podcast on iTunes. Share this widely, and make sure to add your comments below.     The post Six principles of Kingian Nonviolence appeared first on Metta Center.

Occupy Radio: Remembering Our Favorite Guests This is the end of a nearly four year run of Occupy Radio, Occupiers, and this week, Rivera and I are looking back at some of the best shows from our two years of sharing the mic. Oligarchy, wealth, and debt, Basic Income, and constructive programme. A residents bill of rights, our favorite Marxist, Richard Wolff, and some fun with one half of the Yes Men. You should find something to spark your interest on this week’s Occupy Radio. Music: Calliope Dreams Oligarchy: Jeffrey Winters Dr. Jeffrey Winters, NorthWestern University Professor (also Director, Equality Development and Globalization Studies [EDGS] Program) Democracy and Oilgarchy Supreme Court protects wealth The Wealth primary removes the vote from people without wealth America’s Wealth Power Index Dr. Jeffrey Winters, Northwestern University http://www.polisci.northwestern.edu/people/core-faculty/jeffrey-winters.html Excellent article describing America's dual democracy/oligarchy http://www.the-american-interest.com/articles/2011/09/28/oligarchy-and-democracy/ Oligarchy, textbook written by Jeffrey Winters http://www.amazon.com/Oligarchy-Jeffrey-A-Winters/dp/0521182980   Santa Fe Residents’ Bill of Rights w/ Tomas Rivera of the Chainbreaker Collective Chainbreaker Collective: http://chainbreaker.org/rbor/ https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1503657019886219.1073741829.1503649673220287& http://chainbreaker.org/chainbreaker-members-launch-residents-bill-of-rights-campaign/ http://chainbreaker.org/city-council-to-vote-on-bill-of-rights-resolution-this-wednesday/ City of Santa Fe Residents Bill of Rights (pdf) http://www.santafenm.gov/media/archive_center/2r___207.pdf Santa Fe Resident's Bill of Rights Launch (facebook photo album) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1503657019886219.1073741829.1503649673220287&   Constructive Program w/ Michael Nagler and Stephanie Van Hook of the Metta Center for Nonviolence. The Metta Center for Nonviolence http://mettacenter.org/   Strike Debt Filmmaker, organizer with the debt collective Debt Collective Collective Strategy Free education is not a utopian concept, the US is relatively unusual for not having it How Far to free How to join the debt collective Corinthian Case Aggressive tactics Hollie Chaffee: One of the original Corinthian Fifteen Rolling Jubilee:  http://rollingjubilee.org/ https://debtcollective.org/ Strike Debt:  http://strikedebt.org/ Hidden Driver, Laura Hanna's site:  http://www.hiddendriver.com/ Project on Student Debt: http://projectonstudentdebt.org/  State by State Data:  http://projectonstudentdebt.org/state_by_state-data.php   Chuck Collins Chuck Collins is a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and directs IPS's Program on Inequality and the Common Good. He is the author of 99 to 1, and numerous other books and essays. Billionaire Bonanza: The Forbes 400 and the Rest of Us http://www.ips-dc.org/billionaire-bonanza/ Chuck Collins: Have we hit peak wealth inequality? http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/02/have-we-hit-peak-wealth-inequality Chuck Collins at Institute for Policy Studies http://www.ips-dc.org/authors/chuck-collins/ Music: Beirut Surveillance Scott Santens Writer, Basic Income advocate Moderator Basic income Subreddit Defining Universal Basic Income How to Pay for UBI This is a breakdown of UBI vs NIT. http://www.scottsantens.com/negative-income-tax-nit-and-unconditional-basic-income-ubi-what-makes-them-the-same-and-what-makes-them-different   Richard Wolff Host of the radio podcast, Economic Update http://rdwolff.com/ Democracy at Work http://www.democracyatwork.info/ Richard's Radio show: Economic Update http://www.democracyatwork.info/radio/ Economic Update's youtube channel:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgaRiRDqE4wSolPkQ7k4FgQ "Socialism and Workers' Self-Directed Enterprises"http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2014/wolff140914.html   Uberally Mike Bonanno of the Yes! Men. The Yes Men: http://theyesmen.org/ The Yes Men's latest hijinks: http://theyesmen.org/hijinks The Action Switchboard: https://actionswitchboard.net/   Music: Turtle Neck Tea Party  

Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson Unity in diversity is conducive to nonviolent thought, as it resonates with Gandhi’s principle of "heart unity" – the understanding, as Martin Luther King put it, that "I can’t be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can’t be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be." From the Metta Center. Download this Podcast

We live in a time of transition. There is a greater understanding of the interconnections between living beings and the planet. And there is a greater understanding that the current way of life and political system do not function for the majority of people. A nonviolent culture of resistance is growing and alternative systems that are more peaceful, just and sustainable are being created. We explore this transition with Rivera Sun, author of the newly-released book The Dandelion Insurrection. Sun tells the story of building a nonviolent movement to overcome a plutocracy within a highly militarized state. Her novel is both inspiring and instructive. We then spoke with Stephanie Van Hook and Michael Nagler of the Metta Center for Nonviolence. They provide tools and training for nonviolent skills and coordinate the Shanti Sena Network of Peace Teams.

The inspiring legacies of Mahatma Gandhi, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez have shown us the power of nonviolence to bring forth positive change. Michael Nagler and Stephanie Van Hook from the Metta Center for Nonviolence Education join Rev. O'Brian to explore how each of us can begin right away to harness this power for a better life and a peaceful world. 

of the Metta Center for Nonviolence (www.mettacenter.org) , who've just rolled out a stellar and comprehensive Roadmap for Peace. The post Michael Nagler appeared first on Restorative Justice On The Rise.

Have you ever asked, Why do I continue to do things that I know aren't useful, as if compelled to do them? If, like most people, you have asked that question, you'll find this soulful exploration of the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita with Michael Nagler, founder of the Metta Center for Nonviolence Education, and Rev. O'Brian to be a breath of fresh air. The dynamics of the inner battle to fully express our divine nature, so skillfully portrayed in the Bhagavad Gita, offer us the key to changing our minds, changing our behavior, changing our lives and our world.

Michael Nagler, author of The Search for a Nonviolent Future: A Promise of Peace for Ourselves, Our Families, and Our World and founder of the Metta Center for Nonviolence Education, joins Rev. O'Brian for an empowering look at how the principles and practices of ahimsa, or nonviolence, can positively transform our lives today and bring us hope for the future. Discover why this spiritual practice is a foundation for all the others.