May 3: “Repression itself affords a training in Satyagraha, even as an unsought war affords a training for the soldier.” –Gandhi (Harijan, 4-8-1939, p. 80) One common misconception about nonviolence is that it will be met with peaceful, gentle words and action by those to whom it is offered. This is rarely, if ever, the… read more
Tag Archives: gandhi
“When we lose hope”–Daily Metta
May 2 “A sincere prayer can work wonders.” –Gandhi (Young India, 3-24-1920, p. 1) Let us be clear: there will be times when we seem to come to the end of our capacity for love, for forgiveness, for service, for nonviolence. There will be days when we want to lose our temper, strike back and… read more
“Resisting with Truth”–Daily Metta
May 1 “Nonviolence should never be used as a shield for cowardice. It is a weapon of the brave.” –Gandhi (Mahatma, Vol. 7, p.30) In his nonviolence classic, Courage in Both Hands, late Quaker activist Allan Hunter tells the story of Mrs. Pean-Pages, headmistress of a girls’ school in Paris during World War II. She had been hiding… read more
“Nonviolent alternative to military and police”–Daily Metta
April 30 “The Congress should be able to put forth a non-violent army of volunteers who would be equal to every occasion where the police and military are required.” –Gandhi (Harijan, 3-26-1938) If we can train people in violence to serve in fighting and war, does it seem so impossible that we can train them… read more
“Nonviolent Non-cooperation”–Daily Metta
April 29 “Non-co-operation is an attempt to awaken the masses to a sense of their dignity and power.” –Gandhi (Young India, 2-1-1920, p. 3) When we hear calls to be “peaceful and non-violent” from government officials during moments of riots and tension, we owe it to ourselves to question their understanding of what nonviolence means.… read more
“The way to Gandhi’s heart”–Daily Metta
April 28 “Ahimsa is our supreme duty.” –Gandhi (Yeravda Mandir, p. 7) Ahimsa means respect of all of life, and as this can seem impossible, Gandhi would always connect the ideal with a practical suggestion. For example: “Look at the flowers–which belong to all of life–that surround the ashram. Why would picking them as an offering… read more
“Sparks of the same fire”–Daily Metta
April 27 “None can be born untouchable, as all are sparks of one and the same fire.” –Gandhi (Yeravda Mandir, p. 19) While working to free India from external oppression, Gandhi also dedicated himself to reform within the Indian culture itself, particularly of what was known as “untouchability,” the doctrine that some people by birth… read more
“Be the Change”–Daily Metta
April 26 “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” –Gandhi Get ready for a shock–as far as those who have really studied Gandhi can find, he never actually ever said this. That’s right–perhaps the most famous words of Gandhi are not really his. (Note above, there is no citation!) The… read more
“Food as Medicine”–Daily Metta
April 25 “Food has to be taken as we take medicine.” –Gandhi (Yervada Mandir, p. 11) Before the pharmaceutical cooptation of our health; before the patenting of seed, and pesticides and packaging stale foods; before making it illegal to feed those without homes, there was food itself–fresh and alive. When Gandhi talks about food as medicine, he’s… read more
“The spirit beneath the act”–Daily Metta
April 24 “It is not any single isolated act which can be called Satyagraha apart from the spirit behind.” –Gandhi (Young India, 9-24-1925) You cannot get far in the world of nonviolence before coming across Gene Sharp’s famous list of 198 methods of nonviolent action. Sit-ins, reverse strikes, pray-ins, they are all listed, and this list is… read more
