February 2006
EDUCATING FOR A LIFETIME OF NONVIOLENCE

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death. We still have a choice today; nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation." Martin Luther King, Jr. April 4, 1967

January 30th – April 4th commences the 9th Season for Nonviolence (SNV). The 64-day Season is a global observance that began in 1998, to honor the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The objective of the annual SNV is to create an awareness of nonviolent principles and practices as a powerful way to heal, transform and empower our lives and communities.

The Season for Nonviolence, conceived by Gandhi's grandson Arun and his wife Sunanda in collaboration with The Association for Global New Thought, honors Gandhi's and King's vision of a nonviolent world. This global, grassroots movement holds the vision that every person can contribute to moving the world in the direction of peace through daily thoughts, choices and actions based on compassion, respect and understanding.

What is NONviolence? The Argentinean Nobel Peace Prize winner, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, defines nonviolence as “A respect for life and for the individual. That is to say, nonviolence is not a method of non-aggression but rather a way of life, and a way of understanding the relationship of human beings to their fellow beings and with nature."

A term Gandhi used for nonviolence was the Sanskrit word ahimsa: a means “not” or “without”; himsa is “violence”. Ahimsa advocates non-killing, non-injury, harmlessness or abstaining from causing any pain or harm whatsoever to any living creature, either by thought, word, or deed. Ahimsa also stands for universal love and compassion. In response to violence, Gandhi practiced satyagraha, the relentless search for truth as an instrument for his actions to affect change.

Although it is associated with passivity, nonviolence is active. It is a practice, a way of living and being with one another. A nonviolent practice assumes that people are conscious of the dignity, worth and wonder of humanity and oneself and then take active roles, making choices and commitments to challenge or transform social injustices, dangers, damages or degradation of human beings, the animal kingdom and/or natural resources.

"Without a direct action expression of it, nonviolence, to my mind, is meaningless." M.K. Gandhi

PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE
Click Here to view a set of principles to embrace, adopt, or internalize as a means for living nonviolently.

HIDDEN VIOLENCE
We’re all aware of blatant acts of violence perpetrated against children. There also exists an underlying
“violence” in educational systems and the care giving of children that is seldom acknowledged or discussed.

In general, our culture operates from a dominating or authoritarian system which devalues children. We collectively hold beliefs about these young people that perpetuate harmful thoughts and actions against them. Our domination systems instill fear and use force. We utilize power over them as a means of oppression,
control, punishment, management, and indoctrination to be who we think they ought to be, something other
than who they are.

When children are chronically subjected to threats and demands from authoritarian figures, they tend to become defensive or aggressive, submissive or rebellious. When they are forced to unquestionably comply and conform, they learn not to trust their inner self and to distrust others. When they are blamed, shamed or criticized, they adopt beliefs about their identity, worth, capabilities, and learn to conceal their feelings or needs.

I mourn the times I have stimulated pain, despair, sadness, or fear within the hearts of children. Like so many
of you, I was reared in a system that believed children should be seen and not heard, obedient, compliant,
fear-filled, polite, and it was never safe to question authority – or else! My teacher training viewed children in terms of behavior to be managed and changed versus humans to be cherished and nurtured. My heart and head struggled for years with reward/punishment practices that violated my truths about humanity and compassion.
I have journeyed on many paths and wandered for quite some time. My travels have led me to Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication, what I prefer to describe as - “compassionate consciousness.”

So I draw your attention to this important concern because the preservation of childhood is at stake. Generating a future that is sustainable and equitable, creative and caring is at risk. If we continue to allow violence or domination to be at the core of our relationships with children and each other and the center of learning environments, young people are likely to repeat the same vicious patterns.

A NEW PARADIGM
A new education system is urgently needed - our future, indeed our survival, depends upon a profound transformation. Our schools can no longer invite children to be passive learners and test technicians. They need the tools and skill sets to become competent, self-realized and responsible citizens. Young people need a clearer sense of the world and their place in it.

As educators release the role of authority, classroom environments can thrive as partnerships where all voices and ideas are valued, respected, explored and heard. Opposing views are welcome and stimulate deeper awareness and learning. Rather than memorizing historical dates and facts, children are involved in making connections between past actions and deeds and present ethics, morals, prejudices, biases, racism, social injustices and other meaningful issues. Children are encouraged and free to question existing knowledge and how things came to be.

In learning communities and partnerships, differences are celebrated and diversity is appreciated. Educators, parents, families and children are willing to investigate how culture, media, literature, entertainment, beliefs, religion and attitudes influence everyone and their views of each other.

A consciousness of compassion is infused in thoughts, actions, communications and language, opening hearts and inviting all to experience each other as humans with dreams, desires, feelings and needs. A reverence
for life permeates throughout the learning community and each individual embraces care and caring – for themselves, each other, the environment, distant communities and cultures.

Safety and trust are at the core of all learning. There is freedom to risk guesses, speak honestly, disagree, express opinions, pursue interests, make choices that meet personal needs and to say NO. Conflicts or disagreements are faced and resolved without violence as they are viewed as two unique perspectives, both having equal value.

Eradicating rigid time schedules allows communities to follow the natural rhythm and grace of children: a
balance of indoor and outdoor activities, quiet or rest time as desired, opportunities for thoughtful reflection or harvesting friendships, time to daydream, play and be silly, varieties of creative expression, deeper intellectual exploration of high-interest topics, or any other life-serving need.

In active learning communities, young people find ways of working for local and global causes, the promotion of peace, the preservation of the natural world, the relief of human suffering or other relevant topics. Academics are not taught separately but instead become richer in content and context as they are interwoven with interests, concerns, hopes, aspirations, values, curiosity, etc. Learning is authentic, holistic, revolutionary and promotes cultural evolution.

"If we are to reach real peace in this world... we shall have to begin with children"
Mahatma Gandhi

Each of us has a critical part in creating a peaceful world. What we do now impacts future generations. We
must be willing to question our belief systems, history, biases, distortions, fears, habits, and prejudices to clear the way for new ahimsa practices.

What is the legacy you want to gift to your followers? What vision do you hold for yourself, young people, the global humanity, our planet? Can you feel it? Dream it? Are you willing to be the change you want to see? I believe we can transform humanity, one heart at a time, one moment at a time – beginning with me, beginning with you, starting right now. What one thing can you do today to remove the toxin of violence from your life?

"If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in the struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an
endless reign of meaningless chaos." Martin Luther King

Together we can shape a world of peace, harmony, care and compassion. Please join me in becoming an Ambassador for Peace. Perhaps, in the not too distant future, we can shift this observance from a “season” to a Lifetime of Nonviolence. Hmmm…
May peace and love be with you every moment of your life.
Namaste’
Adrian

NURTURE A CHILD "NUGGETS"

SOWING SEEDS OF PEACE
During the 9 weeks of the Season for Nonviolence, you have the option of receiving weekly emails containing a sprinkling of seedlings in the form of stories, poems, reflections, activities, quotes, contemplations, or inspirations.
Each email reminder will include simple, mindful, heart-warming and meaningful ahimsa practices to awaken your heart and blossom your connection with children and/or students.

Plant each seed of peace with intention. Plant them with tender loving care. Plant them in your hearts and in the hearts of children. Plant them everywhere, everyday, in every way. Nourish, tend to and nurture them. Be the gardener of love and compassion. Cultivate a culture of peace and compassion for yourself and children.

Sign up NOW OR wait to receive a sample SEED next week. Let the planting begin.

2006 SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE
The NURTURE A CHILD web site has listed a vast array of wonderful options for your observance and participation in The Season for Nonviolence. Choose one, choose many.
Find something that sings to your heart or satisfies your curiosity.

Copyright © 2006 Adrian Reznik