Person Power

“It’s not about putting a different kind of person in power; it’s about revealing a different kind of power in people.”

- Michael Nagler

In this lesson, we’ll delve further into the theme of nonviolent power, this time with person power.

The term “person power” was coined by Michael Nagler, Metta Center’s founder, to bring needed attention to the unlimited potential inside each human being. According to Gandhi and others, this is the essential area: the greatest power lies within each of us as individuals. When we join together, yes, we have an amazing capacity for collective power (also known as people power, a phrase that arose during the nonviolent revolution in the Philippines in the 1980s), but it is important not to forget the building block: the power each one of us has to make positive change in the world. Cardinal Jaime Sin, who played an instrumental role in the Filipino revolution, said that even though the movement brought two million people onto the streets of Manila, the movement ultimately consisted of “two million individual decisions.” Gandhi’s life story also serves as an inspiring example of how one person can transform themselves and in so doing, literally change the world.

The exciting thing about person power is that we can ALWAYS start there. We can always be working on it, even when outside forces prevent us from working on anything else. When nonviolent leaders have been put in jail—Gandhi, King, and Mandela included—they were not able to organize or be on the streets, but they were able to work on themselves. For many leaders, the spiritual work they did at times like these was pivotal to their growth as nonviolent leaders.

Often, when people awaken to the possibility of changing the world, they want to go out and do something, and can sometimes become paralyzed by the sheer amount of work that needs to be done. WIth person power, we don’t go out; we go in. And from this inner transformation, we can become much more effective in the outer change that we seek.

Someone who has tapped into their person power:

  • Is a leader. They aren’t afraid to stand up for what they believe in, and they are very effective at persuading people to see solutions that benefit everyone.

  • Feels empathy. They try to understand where other people are coming from.

  • Respects everyone. Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, and Jesus all told us to “love your enemy.” They meant it!

  • Is courageous. Gandhi said he could convert an angry person to a nonviolent practitioner, but that he couldn’t convert a coward. Person power requires that we develop our inner strength.

The Metta Center has created a 5-point plan for developing person power:

1. Consider boycotting the mass media. The message that the media promotes—that we do not have the resources within ourselves to be fulfilled and happy—is a toxic lie, and when we expose ourselves to this underlying message, even if we disagree with it, it still becomes deeply rooted in our consciousness with constant repetition. The media is selling a violent and vulgar story of who we are as human beings—don’t buy it.

2. Learn nonviolence—as you’re doing right now! But don’t stop here. Try to learn everything you can about the practice and principles of nonviolence. Look for role models throughout history who have carried out their visions of a nonviolent world. When you start with point #1, you’ll have more free time to engage in #2 :-).

3. Get a spiritual practice if you don’t already have one. This will help you to discover your inner strength and courage, and raise your image of your own human potential.

4. Personalize your relationships. We live in an increasingly dehumanized and depersonalized society. Try to resist it by taking opportunities to connect with people on a personal level in all situations.

5. Find your passion! As the civil rights leader Howard Thurman said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Understand that nonviolence is the bridge between our personal development and social change. Through practicing nonviolence and trying to live up to your highest potential, you have the power to make great changes in your neighborhood, community, and the world.

As Michael Nagler likes to say about nonviolence, “It’s not about putting a different person in power; it’s about revealing a different power in people.” We hope this week’s lesson helps reveal the power within YOU!

Practice:

Choose one element of the 5-point plan to be your focus for this practice. For example, if you choose #1, take a week to unplug from the corporate mass media, and notice how your body and mind feel at the end of the week. Or perhaps set the intention of monotasking with everything you do this week (this sounds simple, but it will be a challenge). Another option would be to try to be more personal in all of your interactions.