Seven Challenges for Nonviolence and a New Story
A life based on nonviolence is a series of experiments based on knowledge, training, strategy, and practice. These in turn rest on a fundamental story about who we are that structures our vision of the world. In this time of transition, we are challenged to explain and live out this new story about ourselves and the world around us, a story in which nonviolence is fundamental.
Nonviolence
“Nonviolence . . . seeks to liberate the oppressor from their oppression.”
It’s a common misconception that nonviolence helps only the victims of violence—but that’s far from the truth. Nonviolence also seeks to liberate the oppressor from their oppression. Daily practice and consistent effort are key to integrating nonviolence as a way of life and utilizing it in challenging situations.
A New Story
“Our individuality is important. It’s real, but it is not the ultimate determinant of who we are.”
The “New Story” challenges the old, materialistic worldview that primarily defines humans as separate bodies driven by competition. The term stems from a scientific study wherein it’s determined that a community of people share a given framework or story. In a way, it serves as the “backdrop” for their lives: invisible, but ever present. What makes the New Story new, is that it reinterprets human nature, promotes justice for all (including the perpetrator), and emphasizes unity and shared goals over division. Ultimately, the New Story recognizes that while individuality and success does matter, our true essence lies in our shared, indivisible consciousness.
The Third Harmony
“To reach inner harmony, we must realize our innate goodness . . . and use it to guide constructive—and sometimes disobedient—action.”
Inner harmony is foundational for nonviolence. Once we tap our inner reserves of love and wisdom, the possibilities for genuine social change are endless. To reach inner harmony, we must realize our innate goodness (which is often constrained by societal norms) and use it to guide constructive—and sometimes disobedient—action. Nonviolent action reflects our shared humanity. Even if efforts don’t result in a favorable outcome, nonviolent action remains a creative, evolving process aimed at expressing and awakening the goodness in both ourselves and others.
Compassion
“Compassion is right at the heart of nonviolence. It is the enabling factor within the heart . . . that enables us to practice real what we call principled nonviolence.”
If compassion is the best way to prevent the isolation and conflict that ultimately lead to violence, then compassion is absolutely central to nonviolence. In the ideal form, compassion is radical. It contrasts with our self-centered culture and connects to the core of our being and inherent disposition toward empathy. We can develop our sense of compassion—and it starts by recognizing the common needs and desires of others.
Constructive Program
“While civil disobedience mostly responds to oppressive systems, constructive programs focus on building positive alternatives and self-determination.”
Constructive Program represents a proactive approach to social change that works hand-in-hand with reactive approaches like civil disobedience. While civil disobedience mostly responds to oppressive systems, constructive programs focus on building positive alternatives and self-determination. We cite Gandhi’s use of constructive programming during the Charkha campaign for home-spun cloth. As a result, his approach empowered Indians to reduce their dependence on British goods, established new institutions, and restored/reinforced indigenous practices. If we utilized constructive programs today, we could reclaim and reconstruct aspects of society that have been affected by oppressive systems. Thus, offering a proactive and nonviolent strategy for social change.
Unity in Diversity
“Unity in diversity best given expression to, I think, by Martin Luther King when he said, ‘I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.’”
As humans we are interconnected and interdependent. This is a far cry from the culture of individualism we all have grown accustomed to. Nagler draws inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who believed that we can only reach our potential when others do too. Nonviolence encourages us to embrace our unique differences, allowing each person to contribute authentically, rather than conforming to external pressures. Together, we make one spirit—one consciousness. And so, the decisions we make as individuals will determine our outcome as a collective.
From Chaos to Creativity
“Within each of us lies a tension. . . between violence and nonviolence. While violence manifests itself as untamed destructive impulses . . . nonviolence represents those same feelings . . . as positive creative forces.”
Within each of us lies a tension, a tug-of-war of sorts, between violence and nonviolence. While violence manifests itself as untamed destructive impulses in the human consciousness, nonviolence represents those same feelings once reimagined and restored as positive creative forces. We must balance inner harmony with effective, thoughtful engagement alongside our neighbors and friends.
