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#Practical Idealist: Nonviolence begins with you.
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Women's March on Washington, January 2017
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Dear Metta Community,

Mahatma Gandhi said, "The future will depend on what we do in the present." Wisdom teaches us that no matter what we do, we cannot avoid action; even our thoughts have an effect on ourselves and the world around us.

The question of the day, then, is how do we discern the right action to take for each one of us?  Nonviolence calls on us to be creative, authentic, and intentional in thought, word, or deed. Then, as a friend reminded me recently, we look around ourselves first—at the situations we are in and the people we are with while aligning our hearts and minds with our highest ideals and values. When we feel blocked or set back on the path, these values are our guiding lights.

In our own small example, I'm pleased to share that the Metta Center will be taking on two new projects in the town where we're based: forming a peace team and bridging nonviolence and restorative justice principles for our local schools. Equally exciting, we have begun to realize how powerful a model the Hope Tank is for nourishing compassionate action and providing creative support for people along the way. A few hope tanks have popped up in other communities recently, and we couldn't be more pleased. In fact, we want to encourage more of them!

We'd love to hear from you. Let us know what you are doing and how you are discerning the actions to take that are right for you. Need help deciding what to do next? We're here for you.

With creativity and love,
Stephanie Van Hook, Executive Director

PS: Want to help share Metta's work with others in an effort to build nonviolence community? Throw a "Party with a Purpose." We'll help with the details. Email us if you're interested: info@mettacenter.org.


Holy Land & Beyond

Our latest Nonviolence Radio show features a recent interview that hosts Michael Nagler and Stephanie Van Hook conducted with Ali Abul Awwad, founder of a Palestinian national nonviolence movement dedicated to development needs and opening a path to resolution in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Ali talks about the situation in Israel-Palestine, along with his own path, from an Israeli prison to nonviolence. Hear the show.
 


 

Person Power & Yoga


Where does yoga meet nonviolent activism? We'll cover this intriguing question during our March 18 yoga workshop in Winston-Salem. If you'll be in the area, join us— no prior yoga experience required. PLUS: We've launched a Facebook page to share inspiration on activism and spirituality. Follow our Person-Power Yoga posts.

Nonviolence Interactions & Engagements


Human Beings Are Not Illegal: Essay
"There's a very human side to immigration—with very real consequences and tolls on who we are and can be," wrote Soneile Hymn in 2015. Her piece deserves another round of serious reflection.  READ

Meditation in Schools: Guest Post Series
In a three-part series, Joseph Gardella outlines ways to articulate what meditation is for school audiences, explains why meditation serves restorative practices, and lists characteristics of an effective implementation of meditation in schools. READ

Who Do We Owe?: Essay
"People understand karma as a form of debt," writes Abraham Entin in the Winter/Spring issue of Nonviolence Magazine. "This is correct. It is the debt that we owe to each other, to the planet and to the cosmos for our existence." READ

An Interfaith Discussion in Sonoma County: March 26
This event is sponsored by the "Of One Soul" Campaign of the Interfaith Council of Sonoma County. Focus: Religions and cultures differ, but there are shared values that all the major world religions embrace. MORE INFO

Cultural Encounters & Peace Trip to Iran: June 29 – July 9
Nonviolence International invites you to make history with this affordable travel opportunity. This unprecedented trip to Iran will be led by Dr. Mubarak Awad and Medea Benjamin of Code Pink.  MORE INFO
 
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About Us
Metta Center for Nonviolence is a 501(c)3 educational organization that aims to help people use nonviolence safely and effectively. We advance a positive view of humankind while empowering people to explore the question: How does nonviolence work, and how can I contribute to a happier, more peaceful society? Learn more.