What will it take to save the world? Massive protests? Yes, and much more. Protest has its place, but sometimes - much of the time actually - we have to take strategic steps that can lead to deeper change. To bring us to the world we really want, these actions must be centered around nonviolence, because the choice between violence or nonviolence determines the kind of world that ultimately results. The whole reason for protesting an injustice is that we don’t want to live in a violent world.
But to get the full benefit of nonviolence we should be aware that it means a lot more than just refraining from physical force. Nonviolence is sometimes called ‘peace from within.’ If we think of the environment, other beings and ourselves as three essential sets of relationships, then nonviolence really begins as a ‘third harmony,’ where we try to eliminate any ill will we’re holding towards our opponent.
This isn’t easy, of course, but the late Barbara Deming came up with an image that can help us called “the two hands of nonviolence:” on the one hand, ‘I will not put up with your injustice,’ and on the other, ‘but I’m open to you as a human being.’ In the heat of conflict or outrage, we can forget to extend the open hand of nonviolence to others, but the point is not just to express our feelings or show that we’re on the right side of history; the point is to create change, so here are three principles to keep in mind that will help engage those two hands of nonviolence and move forward effectively.
