September 24: “I want women to learn the primary right of resistance.” –Gandhi (Harijan, September 12, 1936) Greek comic poet Aristophanes is probably most famous for his play Lysistrata, a story about war and the women who resisted it. How did they do it? By withholding sexual privileges from their husbands until reconciliation between Sparta… read more
Posts by Stephanie Van Hook
“Mother Teresa and Gandhiji”–Daily Metta
September 23: “The contrast between the rich and the poor today is a painful sight.” –Gandhi (Harijan, March 31, 1946) Very often, when people associate others with Gandhi, they think of Mother Teresa. But what is it that they have in common? While she was not leading a political or even economic movement, we might… read more
“My duty to love you”–Daily Metta
September 22: “I do not love you because you agree to love me. I love you because I feel it is my duty to love you.” –Gandhi (Day to Day with Gandhi, Volume 4) In the Dhammapada, the Buddha points out a sad but familiar dynamic between us human beings; namely, “people will blame you… read more
“International Day of Peace”–Daily Metta
September 21: “I can say with confidence that if the world is to have peace, nonviolence is the means to that end and no other.” –Gandhi (Harijan, July 20, 1947) On International Day of Peace, what better way to celebrate than to remember that peace is something we can–must–learn. It is not a question of… read more
“Frans de Waal and Animal Behavior”–Podcast
We cite his work all of the time at Metta, and this week we were honored to have the distinguished ethologist, biologist, Prof. Frans de Waal join our show to discuss some of his really fascinating research into animal behavior, specifically around reconciliation, conflict resolution, empathy, rituals…and even death! A very enjoyable discussion. His interview… read more
“People can change for the better”–Daily Metta
September 20: “My faith in human nature is irrepressible and even under the circumstances of a most adverse character.” –Gandhi (Young India, January 1, 1920) Faith in human nature sounds naive and foolish. But why should it be? For those who long for a nonviolent alternative to our educational, political, and even criminal justice systems,… read more
“Hidden depths of nonviolence”–Daily Metta
September 19 “I am but a humble explorer of the science of nonviolence. Its hidden depths sometimes stagger me just as much as they stagger my fellow-workers.” –Gandhi (Young India, November 20 1924) To explore the science of nonviolence is more than a study of books or movements. When you get down to it, really,… read more
“Can kids learn non-cooperation?”–Daily Metta
September 18: “Power rightly exercised must sit light as a flower; no one should feel the weight of it.” –Gandhi (Towards New Horizons, Pyarelal, from Mahatma Gandhi, The Last Phase) If society is to learn the art of non-cooperation, education for it should begin in childhood. Well, actually, it already does, but most of us… read more
Michael Nagler speaks at UN-Podcast
If you had ten minutes to stand before the United Nations to talk about the role of the media in building a peaceful world, how would you begin? What would you say? What concrete recommendations would you make? Well, our very own Michael Nagler was there on September 9, 2015 to speak at the High… read more
“Transforming a school with dignity”–Daily Metta
September 17: “I refuse to suspect human nature. It will, is bound to, respond to any noble and friendly action.” –Gandhi (Young India, August 4, 1920) When Andrew Bott became the sixth principal in seven years at of one of the worst performing public schools in Massachusetts, he did something crazy: he fired the security… read more
