March 17:

“If we could erase the ‘I’s’ and ‘Mine’s’ from religion, politics, economics, etc., we shall soon be free and bring heaven upon earth.”

–Gandhi (Young India, 9-3-1926, p. 336)

“Succeed at all costs, and leave the rest in the dust.” What if we were to turn the current purpose of our mainstream institutions on its head? Instead of seeking to aggrandize oneself or one’s own allies, these institutions could be reformed with a mandate to serve all of life, while never neglecting the individual’s good. For example, a school would not promote individualism and competition for becoming richer than others; rather, it would encourage students to cooperate at larger and larger scales to build solutions to the world’s toughest problems, ones which require creative and robust collaborative work, like ending war or planning healthy, livable cities. Imagine politicians reaching out a hand of service to one another, knowing that their–and everyone’s– highest interests would be served by serving one another. This shift in worldview within our institutions is not impossible — we find more and more examples of it every day, be they “B corporations,” free clinics, or whatever — and it would encourage and support all of us to get along with one another in more constructive and less combative ways.

Experiment in Nonviolence:

Find out what schools, organizations, sports teams, or other groups are experimenting with a version of this shift.  How’s it working?  Write about them.

Daily Metta 2015, a service of the Metta Center for Nonviolence, is a daily reflection on the strategic and spiritual insights of Mahatma Gandhi in thought, word and deed. As Gandhi called his life an “experiment in truth,” we have included an experiment in nonviolence to accompany each Daily Metta. Check in every day for new inspiration. Each year will be dedicated to another wisdom teacher.