March 14: “I believe in trusting. Trust begets trust.” —Gandhi (Young India, 6-4-1925, p. 193) The Buddha stated flatly that ‘trust is the best of relationships.’ In fact, it is so integral to who we are, that a lack of a healthy trust is a form of violence. For this reason, a discerning trust must… read more
Posts by Stephanie Van Hook
“Interfaith Power”–Daily Metta
March 13: “True knowledge of religion breaks down the barriers between faith and faith.” —Gandhi (From Yervada Mandir, p. 40) Religions, while they have their superficial differences, all point to the same reality: the unity of life and its realization. As the wisdom tradition maintains, “the paths are many but the truth is one.” Unfortunately,… read more
“Letting the sandal go”–Daily Metta
March 12: “You may have occasion to possess or use material things, but the secret of life lies in never missing them.” –Gandhi (Harijan, 12-10-1938, p. 371) There is a wonderful story about Gandhi’s relationship to material things, in this case, his hand-made sandals. As he was catching a train, one of his sandals fell… read more
“The world as one family”–Daily Metta
March 11: “The golden way is to be friends with the world and to regard the whole human family like members of one family.” –Gandhi (Young India, 5-11-1921, p. 148) The family is often a challenging place to practice nonviolence, especially if there are standing conflicts yet unresolved. Brother and sister no longer talk; mother… read more
“Civilization, not multiplication of wants”
Daily Metta for March 10: “Civilization, in the real sense of the term, consists not in the multiplication, but in the deliberate and voluntary reduction of wants.” –Gandhi (Mind of Mahatma Gandhi, p. 189) There is nothing wrong with having what we need to live well, and even thrive. Gandhi’s concern, however, is that consumerism,… read more
“Rebel against unworthy restraints”–Daily Metta
March 9: “I advise women to resort to civil rebellion against all undesirable and unworthy restraints.” –Gandhi (Harijan, 3-23-1947 p. 80) In India (as well as in all other places where Indians live) the celebration of Holi announces the arrival of springtime. Rose petals, marigolds, multi-hued powders and water-balloons are tossed in the air, signifying… read more
“Chapati and Aloo” – A Story for Children
People of all ages learn through stories, and you can bring lessons about nonviolence into the classroom through the art of storytelling. Consider memorizing a story about nonviolence, either from real life or made up, and try telling it without reading from a book so you engage more with the students in front of you. You… read more
“Bravery is not a man’s monopoly”–Daily Metta
March 8: “Bravery is not man’s monopoly.” –Gandhi (Harijan, 1-5-1947, p. 478) As the world’s consciousness evolves to understand that all human beings, regardless of sex, are human beings, thus worthy of dignity, equality, economic justice, respect, and so on, it is the realm of nonviolent action that portrays this reality most effectively. Nonviolence… read more
“Father Kolbe–Nonviolent Resister”–Daily Metta
March 7: “So long as the superstition that men should obey unjust laws exists, so long will their slavery exist. And a nonviolent resister alone can remove such as superstition.” –Gandhi (Hind Swaraj, p. 92) In The Search for a Nonviolent Future, Michael Nagler recounts the story of one of his personal heroes, Catholic… read more
“Value of Obstructive Program”–Daily Metta
March 6: “Do you believe that a coward can ever disobey a law that he dislikes?” –Gandhi (Hind Swaraj, p. 93) Nonviolence, according to Gandhi’s vision, is about more than idyllic notions of “being the change you wish to see in the world.” It is about the courage to live for a greater purpose. For… read more
