about nonviolence

The word 'non violence' is understood in different ways. Many people take it to mean simply 'not violent' and see it as gentle, passive, harmless, non-confrontational.

 

For some, non-violence is associated with 'people power', social and political mobilisations that use the power of demonstrations, non-cooperation or direct action to change a situation. In this sense it is a useful and effective tactic.

 

For others the word describes something about the ultimate goal of nonviolent action: the link between the spirit of love from which it springs and the character of the action this produces. For them nonviolence has a spiritual or religious dimension. It's this meaning that forms the basis of Turning the Tide's work, and we write it without a space or hyphen in an attempt to convey this holistic understanding.

Nonviolence - a positive calling

'Nonviolence' sounds negative. The word is a double negative and describes a refusal to harm. But the desire not to harm arises from a positive spirit within us; something very strong and life-affirming. The call to compassion and justice leads to a rejection of the cycle of violence, which diminishes and degrades in ways that are physical, psychological, or structural within society. Nonviolence describes something vibrant and positive that we don't seem to have a better word for.

Becoming nonviolent people

From this positive, life-affirming response comes a commitment to nonviolence. And this requires us as individuals and groups to develop the habits of being nonviolent in our daily lives and relationships as well as in social and political action.

 

Nonviolence involves respect and care for everyone as human beings, even opponents. This doesn't mean we have to respect what they do, but it does require us to separate the person from their actions. This, together with a preparedness to take upon ourselves suffering that might arise, requires a discipline of daily grounding and practice. It's not something you can suddenly do after a training session. We have to work on developing skills of listening, affirmation, communication and assertion.