Evolving Nonviolence: A Metta Center Blog Space

In this blog, we share ideas and insights about what Gandhi called “the greatest power humanity has been endowed with”—nonviolence. Like him, we believe that mobilizing this force is essential for addressing the urgent challenges of our time and shaping a future rooted in justice and peace.

We approach nonviolence through three key lenses: theory, history, and application—all of which will be explored here. This is a critical moment to deepen our understanding and practice of nonviolence.

Theoretical developments across disciplines—from quantum physics to evolutionary biology to social sciences—affirm that every one of us has the capacity to discover, cultivate, and harness this profound force for transformation.

The history of nonviolence stretches across cultures and centuries. While deeply embedded in traditions such as Jainism, Buddhism, and Gandhian movements, nonviolence has also shaped modern struggles for justice across the world, from anti-colonial resistance in Africa and Asia to civil rights movements in the Americas and beyond. Today, it continues to evolve in powerful and unexpected ways.

The applications of nonviolence are being studied and put into practice across movements, institutions, and everyday life. Despite appearances, nonviolence may well be the defining force of human progress in our time.

This blog is one space where we will share this ‘good news’ with a wider audience. As time allows, we aim to publish new content weekly. We welcome your thoughts, reflections, and suggestions—feel free to reach out and join the conversation.