Our Vision

Our Vision of nonviolence is rooted in the spiritual traditions of all humanity. All wisdom traditions state that there is an underlying law of unity holding all beings in what Martin Luther King, Jr. called “an inescapable network of mutuality…a single garment of destiny.” We believe that violence comes from the failure to recognize this interconnectedness, the underlying unity of life, and that nonviolence is a force that comes through the awakening of this recognition.

While various terms in human language refer to this law of interconnectedness — love, truth, dharma, etc. — nonviolence is the implementation of that law in the specific area of conflict. Because of this combination of humanity and practicality, nonviolence is the only creative and dignified way to resolve conflicts that can bring lasting benefit to everyone involved.

Nonviolence is, as Gandhi said, “as old as the hills.” But since it is only recently that people have begun thinking about nonviolence consciously (the word nonviolence only entered the English language in the 1920’s, and is not itself an accurate translation of Gandhi’s ahimsa), there are many shades of meaning given to it by different activists and writers.

Of course, nonviolence is more than a method of conflict resolution: it is the ultimate goal, individual and social, of human life. The nonviolence we strive to embody is not for the likes of heroes, but for every human being. Nonviolence is something that everyone can learn, and everyone can do. Not only that, it is inspiring! As one of the Metta team recently said, “Nonviolence is the tool that everyone has been looking for to get from where we are to where we want to be.”

Our mission at Metta, then, is to support all of us who are lost and hurt by the violence we see around us, and searching for a beacon to light the way. Nonviolence is that beacon we have been searching for, and it has been within us all along. We only need to open our eyes to see.

A Message from Michael Nagler, Founder

In today’s world, knowledge of nonviolence can provide leverage for extremely effective change. For example, in January of 2000 students in Serbia found themselves determined to rid their country of the long and destructive dictatorship of President Slobodan Milosevic. Drawing on the work of nonviolence scholar Gene Sharp and other resources, the Otpor (“Resistance”) movement used this critical information and insights about the principles and practices of nonviolence in developing its own nonviolent resistance. The result was the popular movement that swept from power a dictator who had withstood eleven weeks of NATO bombing. Knowledge of nonviolence and how it works was the catalyst in this transition toward freedom — which in turn influenced and inspired other such changes in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.

Imagine if we all could engage such nonviolent power not just for liberation struggles against an entrenched regime but as a way of changing cultures so that such regimes could be denied a grip on societies. And so that we all can take part in a popular movement toward lasting peace.

This is exactly what we do at Metta.  We help ourselves and others develop better understanding of the potential and power of nonviolence.  We work with students, educators, activists, the media, and military personnel from around the world who see, however far off in the future, a common vision of healing, respect, justice, and compassion.

We welcome the opportunity to work with you in building a more nonviolent world.

In peace,

Prof. Michael Nagler
Founder and President, Metta Center for Nonviolence