EFFECTS OF NON-VIOLENCE

Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of
spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him. -Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr.
Nonviolence is both a principle and a practice. The principle of nonviolence affirms the active
use of non-coercive and non-aggressive means to create a more peaceful context. It is based on
the assumption that justice will eventually prevail, that choices should be made from a place of
love rather than hate, that the hurtful action, not the person, should be subdued and that voluntary
suffering has value as an important facet of life.
In practice, nonviolence involves ACTIVELY peaceful behavior in the midst of conflict,
becoming an example of consideration to those around us and breaking the destructive cycle of
retaliation when we believe we have been wronged. It also means awareness of our own inner
violence, and eliminating its negative effects upon our own intentions. Applying these principles
of non-violence can reduce conflict, anger and violence on personal, local, national and global
levels.
Nonviolence has come to be recognized as a powerful strategy for students, communities,
disenfranchised groups and whole societies in addressing and transforming conditions. During
the 20th century, the successful social movements of Gandhi in India and Martin Luther King, Jr.
in the United States led to the public’s realization of completely new dimensions of nonviolent
conflict resolution.
The Impact Of Nonviolence
Gandhian nonviolence has affected global culture in four ways. First, it changed for the better
aspects of the political culture of particular countries. In India, for example, it influenced the
manner in which colonialism was brought to an end and a new political philosophy introduced.
In the United States, it had an impact on the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.
Second, it inspired many individuals across the world to adopt active nonviolence as their own
public philosophy. Those so inspired include the Dalai Lama, Lech Walesa of Poland, Lanza del
Vasto of France, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar (Burma), Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu
of South Africa, Cesar Chavez of the United States, and Thomas Merton, the American Trappist
monk.
Third, it contributed to the emergence of several nongovernmental organizations worldwide,
among them those devoted to disarmament, economic development from below, the green
movement, and the dialogue between religions.
Finally, it gave further impetus for nonviolence to become a subject of serious academic study
and research in institutions of higher learning throughout the world, notably in the fields of
history, sociology, religious studies, theology, and comparative political philosophy.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.’S PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE
1. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. • It is active nonviolent resistance to evil.
• It is assertive spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
• It is always persuading the opponent of the justice of your cause.
2. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding. • The end result of nonviolence is
redemption and reconciliation.
• The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community.
3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people. • Nonviolence holds that evildoers are also
victims.
4. Nonviolence holds that voluntary suffering can educate and
transform.
• Nonviolence willingly accepts the consequences of its acts.
• Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation.
• Nonviolence accepts violence if necessary, but will never inflict it.
• Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and
transforming possibilities.
• Suffering can have the power to convert the enemy when reason fails.
5. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate. • Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well
as of the body.
• Nonviolent love gives willingly, knowing that the return might be hostility.
• Nonviolent love is active, not passive.
• Nonviolent love does not sink to the level of the hater.
• Love for the enemy is how we demonstrate love for ourselves.
• Love restores community and resists injustice.
• Nonviolence recognizes the fact that all life is interrelated.
6. Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice. • The nonviolent resister has
deep faith that justice will eventually win.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.’S STEPS OF NONVIOLENCE
Step 1: Gather Information
Learn all you can about the problems you see in your community through the media, social
and civic organizations, and by talking to the people involved.
Step 2: Educate Others
Armed with your new knowledge, it is your duty to help those around you, such as your
neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers, better understand the problems facing
society. Build a team of people devoted to finding solutions. Be sure to include those who
will be directly affected by your work.
Step 3: Remain Committed
Accept that you will face many obstacles and challenges as you and your team try to
change society. Agree to encourage and inspire one another along the journey.
Step 4: Peacefully Negotiate
Talk with both sides. go to the people in your community who are in trouble and who are
deeply hurt by society’s ills. Also go to those people who are contributing to the breakdown
of a peaceful society. Use humor, intelligence and grace to lead to solutions that benefit
the greater good.
Step 5: Take Action Peacefully
This step is often used when negotiation fails to produce results, or when people need to
draw broader attention to a problem. it can include tactics such as peaceful
demonstrations, letter-writing and petition campaign.
Step 6: Reconcile
Keep all actions and negotiations peaceful and constructive. Agree to disagree with some
people and with some groups as you work to improve society. Show all involved the
benefits of changing, not what they will give up by changing.
Gandhian Principles of Non-Violence
“You must be the change you want to see in the world”.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
1. Respect
I vow to respect others and the interconnectedness of all life.
2. Understanding
I vow to understand the "whys" (meaning behind behavior), for myself and
others.
3. Acceptance
Out of respect and understanding, I vow to accept the differences of others.
4. Appreciating Differences
I seek to move beyond acceptance into appreciation and celebration of difference.
5. Truth and Truthfulness
I commit to be truthful and authentic and to confront untruth wherever I find it.
6. Absorbing Suffering
I take on without complaint any suffering that results from my confrontation
with untruth. I also accept that all forms of violence cannot be totally eliminated.
7. Ahimsa (nonviolence) with my Adversary
I vow to help my adversary avoid all suffering, especially from our confrontation.
8. Trusteeship and Constructive Action
Beyond personal necessities, I see myself as God’s trustee over my possessions
and talents. I promise to use them to empower others and make things fair for all.
Source: Compassion Center (http://compassionatecenter.org)