Metta’s Opinion

Implementing Restorative Practices in School

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Many school administrators and educators have some familiarity with bringing nonviolence strengths to education through restorative practices for school settings.

Although, quality portrayals of what school restorative practices might look like severely lack in online spaces. There are a few videos on YouTube (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and there are some very helpful websites and online resources available for introductions to restorative practices. However, depictions of what an implementation process might look like are severely limited. One example of what an implementation might look like may be found here. In addition, one might consider the table below. (more…)

On Joy & Hope for Our Nonviolent Future: Newsletter

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Kid drawing hugStudents See the Value of Nonviolence

“When I hear people voicing despair about the state of the world,” writes Stephanie Knox-Cubbon in her newsletter introduction, “I say to them, ‘I wish you could meet my students!'” Stephanie looks toward our nonviolent future, one her students believe in—and one they’re making happen everyday.

Today’s newsletter also includes some educational resources to keep you inspired and motivated.

Read the December 2, 2015 newsletter.

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Exploring Gandhi’s Nai Talim

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The following post is the second one based on my talk at the India Center in Charleston, WV for Gandhi Day 2015. Please read Part 1 here.

What can we learn from Gandhi’s ideas about Nai Talim (new education) and how can we apply them to our context now?

How can (must) education be a part of the solution to the current challenges of our society, such as eliminating violence of all kinds?

Before we begin to answer those questions, perhaps we need to ask another question: what is the relationship between nonviolence and education? Where does education fit in Gandhi’s nonviolence?

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Peace Above All: Newsletter

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Peace-warIsn’t it clear yet that war is not the answer?

At the Metta Center, we envision a world transformed by an awareness of the true potential of every human being, where all of life is sacred and where all our social systems work in harmony with the earth. We see a world in which conflict rarely occurs, and when it does, can always be addressed with the creative energy of nonviolence. Among other essential changes, unarmed peacekeeping replaces military intervention, restorative justice replaces retribution, and needs-based economies replace consumerism.

Read the November 18, 2015 newsletter.

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The New Abnormal: Reflections on Paris

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paris policeWe are hearing expressions of shock and sympathy for Paris on all sides, which is appropriate as far as it goes – but it’s not nearly enough.

It is clear now that instead of lurching from crisis to crisis, we need to get off this disastrous path.

After expressing our condolences we should be saying, “Let us now pledge ourselves to get to the root of this problem” – and have the courage to follow that inquiry wherever it leads.

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Defining Discipline Within Restorative Practices

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Discipline has been defined in a variety of seemingly contrasting ways.

For example, discipline “is a repressive operation by which individuals are seasoned into productive labor” (Foucault, 1977). Moreover, it’s “a policy of coercions that act upon the body, a calculated manipulation of its elements, its gestures, its behavior…thus discipline produces subjected and practiced bodies, ‘docile’ bodies” (Foucault, 1977). (more…)

Peace Journalism

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As a former media junkie, I often feel split between complaining about corporate media and cheerleading them on when they put their all into serving as watchdogs.

Here’s my latest schism between exasperation and celebration:

  • Exasperation: Why does the International New York Times co-organize the Oil & Money conference? What does this media corporation get out of that, and how can we trust its coverage of climate issues and wrongs committed by the fossil fuels industry?

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