A Call to Action: Faith in Humanity as a Living Practice
Gandhi famously said, “We must never lose our faith in humanity.” More than a maxim, this is an urgent call to action. In this moment, we must embody faith in humanity as a living practice.
The cruelty we see in politics today is not an anomaly but a feature of a system that thrives on division, fear, and disempowerment. Our political structures, regardless of party or leadership, often arise from 𑁋 and reinforce the idea that strength comes from dominance rather than cooperation. But we must not fall into the trap of despair, believing that this reflects human nature. Quite the contrary—human nature is noble, courageous, and generous. Modern science supports this and the wisest among us have demonstrated it.
The idea that strength depends on exploiting the weakness of others is a dangerous and worn-out distortion of who we are and what power truly means. This kind of power is unsustainable, only reinforcing the idea that we’re inherently separate. That way lies destruction, for victim and victimizer alike. The idea that we ought to take pleasure in the suffering and humiliation of others is the inevitable outcome of that distortion.
We must fully reject these ideas—not just intellectually, but by embodying a different kind of power, drawing upon a higher image of human nature. True peace is not born from fear but from mutual respect, dignity, and cooperation.
What We Can Do:
Notice when you are feeling overwhelmed and how that overwhelm leads to a sense of powerlessness. Awareness is the first step to reclaiming agency. Example: When feeling overwhelmed, pause and take three deep breaths to reset before re-engaging with what you were doing. (You may have your own spiritual practice to support this)
Remember that there is always something we can do. While no single action will change everything, taking even a small step relieves the sense of powerlessness and opens up new possibilities. Example: One friend has paired up with another friend to check in weekly, and this offers them an empathic ear and a support system, however small.
Use media wisely. The news presents us with crises but rarely offers solutions. Stay informed, but step back, process, and recenter. Some of the most effective ideas emerge in moments of reflection. Example: Make sure to include nonviolence as part of your media feed. Waging Nonviolence is a great place to check in regularly, as is Nonviolence Radio!
Embrace nonviolence as a creative force. Nonviolence is an active, powerful force with endless possibilities. Learning about nonviolence is itself empowering, and many organizations offer training in conflict resolution and essential life skills for navigating this crisis. Example: Take a free online course about nonviolence, and follow up with practices such as conflict de-escalation, third-party nonviolent intervention, or restorative justice.
Focus on constructive projects. When those in power try to weaken us by taking away things we need, like healthcare 𑁋 or the right to vote— we can often do them for ourselves. When we create alternatives—no matter how small—we expose the lie of our dependency and often find greater community in the process. Example: If a policy cuts funding for community programs, support grassroots efforts that provide those services directly, whether it’s food distribution, mutual aid, or educational initiatives.
Engage with people personally, especially across political divides. The strategy of divide and conquer only succeeds if we allow ourselves to be divided. Whenever we have the chance to connect with someone as a human being, we should take it. This will enrich our lives and give us greater leverage for needed change. Example: If a family member holds opposing views, instead of arguing, ask questions and listen with curiosity. Find shared values as a foundation for dialogue, and then express our position respectfully.
Imagine possibilities beyond our current political solutions: Political parties are only as effective as the values they embody. In this time of crisis we see that the political system itself is broken, and we need to be bold and creative in our experiments for compassion, community, and mutual support. Example: When someone tells you that the only way to “fight” a current problem is to join one or the other political side, decide for yourself if either party is likely to bring us any closer to a world we want. If not, what will?
Identify your values and live by them. Write them down, reflect on them, and hold them close when despair arises. By grounding ourselves in what we truly value, we reclaim our narrative and our power. Example: If you value justice, commit to one regular action—whether it’s mentoring, community service, or standing in solidarity with those affected by injustice.
A Higher Vision of Power:
According to Gandhi, love and humanitarian outreach toward the vulnerable gives us spiritual fulfillment while supporting them. Gandhiji said, "The voice of conscience overrides all other laws." He goes on to describe the power of Satyagraha: "This force is to violence and therefore to tyranny or injustice what light is to darkness." He also said, "Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man is a social being."
Gandhi’s vision of power stands in stark contrast to those who seek to rule through fear, division, and violence. While fascism aims to control and destroy, Gandhi proved that true power lies in moral courage, unity, and nonviolent resistance. History has shown that the strength of a movement is not measured by the suffering it inflicts, but by the justice, truth, and humanity it upholds.
This is our moment to choose what kind of power we believe in—and to live accordingly.