“Terrorism and deception are weapons not of the strong but of the weak.” ~ Gandhi, Mahatma, 2.20.1919 The conception one has of strength and power in nonviolence is often quite the reverse of how we conceive of them in ordinary parlance. There are numerous stories in the Indian epics of heroes who, when they need… read more
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Recognizing True Power: Your Daily Metta Weekend Video
In this video, Michael Nagler continues in Chapter Four of Search for a Nonviolent Future, highlighting the importance of recognizing and developing our inner capacity for nonviolence as a true source of power. Please add your comments below. About Daily Metta Stephanie Van Hook, the Metta Center’s executive director, launched Daily Metta in 2015 as… read more
A Great Cause: Daily Metta
“The cause is great, the remedy is equally great; let us prove worthy of them both.” ~ Gandhi, speech made at Madras, March 18, 1919 It’s not enough if you have a great cause; the means must also be great. Why? Because the means determine the end. Nonviolence is an ever-developing process, not an end… read more
Resentment: Daily Metta
“I would warn Satyagrahis that such resentment is against the spirit of Satyagraha.” ~ Gandhi, speech made at Madras, March 18, 1919 The nonviolence of Gandhi’s conception challenges us to transform resentment. This goes beyond our words and actions, and penetrates directly to our state of mind, what some people would call “our thoughts.” The… read more
Prayerful Consideration: Daily Metta
“I have, after much prayerful consideration, and after very careful examination of the Government’s standpoint, pledged myself to offer Satyagraha against the Bills, and invited all men and women who think and feel with me to do likewise.” ~ Gandhi, in a speech made at Madras, March 18, 1919 The key phrase here is “prayerful… read more
Person-oriented: Daily Metta
“The movement . . . has been conceived so as to minimize the evil wrought by the craze for amassing large fortunes through the use of dead tools in order to avoid having to deal with very sensitive human tools.” ~ Gandhi, Village Industries, p.6 Gandhi saw everything he touched on—in this case khadi and… read more
All Creation: Daily Metta
Cow protection is “a practical application of the belief in the oneness and, therefore, the sacredness of all life.” ~ Gandhi, Hindu Dharma, p.8.36 A religion, it is said, is like a path through the jungle: if no one treads on it, it gets overgrown. Cow-protection in India is a classic example. Having sometimes become… read more
Conflict Escalation and Escalating Nonviolence: Daily Metta Weekend Video
Michael Nagler explains the conflict escalation curve and gives insight into how and when to escalate nonviolence. Please add your comments below. About Daily Metta Stephanie Van Hook, the Metta Center’s executive director, launched Daily Metta in 2015 as a way to share Gandhi’s spiritual wisdom and experiments with nonviolence. Our 2016 Daily Metta continues… read more
Silent Revolution: Daily Metta
“Obedience to the law of bread labour will bring about a silent revolution in the structure of society.” ~ Gandhi, Mahatma, 4.36 A “silent revolution” of this kind exemplifies the power of Constructive Programme. Why did Gandhi place so much hope in this one of its 18 projects? Because it would reground the economy in… read more
Fear of Death: Daily Metta
“A nation which allows itself to be influenced by the fear of death cannot attain swaraj and cannot retain it if somehow attained.” ~ Gandhi, Navijivan, October 1921 Gandhi likes to challenge us, doesn’t he? Here he suggests we cannot fear death and achieve lasting peace and freedom. Without understanding who we are and why… read more
