How We Do It

A Core Principle: Our means determine our ends.

In the nonviolent paradigm, the goal is to replace violence with the force of love and compassion – nonviolence – not only in our actions, but also in our words and our thoughts. When we abstain from physical violence, but still speak with unkind words or harbor violent thoughts, we simply plant the seeds of violence within (which does great harm to our selves) and predispose ourselves to violent action (which does great harm to others). Conversely, when we are able to convert all desire to harm into something much deeper, like love or compassion, we experience the full power of nonviolence, and transform ourselves and others. As we strive to purify the body of violence in thought, word, and deed, we do our part in building the foundation for a nonviolent future.

With this in mind, at Metta we are dedicated to the belief that there is a constructive solution that can benefit all parties (’win-win,’ not ‘win-lose’ or ‘zero sum’), that nonviolence always makes the world better even when it may not gain a specific end, and to the abiding principle that our means determine our ends, or, as Gandhi said, ‘means are ends in the making.’ We believe that when we choose the right goal, use nonviolent means to achieve it, and try to avoid personal entanglement in the fruits of our actions, the results will always be in harmony with the well-being of all parties. We recognize that how we act, speak, and think is as important as what we achieve, and are committed to examining our motives and our means at every step, recognizing that nonviolence is ever an ongoing experiment.

Some of the values that emerge for us are:

• Transparency: we value and stive to embody open communication and courageous dialogue at all times.
• Authenticity: we are honest, even when the process is painful, trusting that our authenticity will unite us more than our differences can divide us.
• Flexibility: As Gandhi said, “truth is more important than consistency.” We are open to the unexpected turns and new interpretations life may show us, and we also recognize that we are most powerful when we act in concert – with each other, and with nature.
• Heart Unity: we recognize the inherent value in every human being, and we value the effort to reach common ground above any strategy, ideology, or personal gain.
• Localism (swadeshi): we strive to stay local whenever possible in an effort to contribute to our supporting community, whether it be expressed through the food we eat, the goods and services we choose, or the projects we create.
• Personal Responsibility: We take responsibility for our lives and for our actions as individuals, knowing that nonviolence cannot be taught if it is not lived. In short, we practice what we preach.

As nonviolent actors (satyagrahis) in the modern world, we are ever aspiring to this courage to experiment with peace the way a scientist experiments with matter: with an open mind, a creative energy, and a willingness to fail. At times we find we are not always able to be nonviolent with one another or with others, and that is part of the practice. Gandhi himself believed that no person can be perfectly nonviolent all the time. But when we remind ourselves again and again that our means will determine our ends, our path becomes clear in the face of any confusion. We can consider our next move at every step with clarity and foresight, asking ourselves only: “what is the nonviolent action I can take in this moment?” Nonviolent action is the seed of its own result, and the seed of nonviolence we plant today is sure to bear nonviolent fruit (even if not the one we had in mind!). This is our faith, our vision for the future, and our work. We invite you to join us!