The following statements or definitions were created at a recent Gandhi Institute board meeting by Board Members and attendees as a part of an activity which asked them: “What does nonviolence mean to you?”
“Nonviolence means no harm to anyone in thoughts, speech, and
action.”
“Nonviolence is the golden rule-treat others as you want to be treated
yourself.”
“Nonviolence is a power or a force that is dynamic and related to action
rather than stasis.”
“Nonviolence is a work in progress with positive results.”
“Nonviolence is actively seeking to support the well-being of everyone-
including others, your “enemies”, yourself, and future generations and all living things.”
“Nonviolence is a lens used to hold the well being of everything in the
collective.”
“Nonviolence means justice through action.”
“Nonviolence is active steps to achieve a world where all beings live in
harmony and peace.”
“Nonviolence is the least destructive approach to a resolution.”
“Nonviolence means unconditional love and reverence for creation”
“Nonviolence is increasing the will for peace; defaulting to defuse”
confrontations (as a mindset)”
“Nonviolence is: using the initiation of force as an absolutely last
strategy, to resolve conflict; the development of inner and outer
communication skills; and cultivating an appreciation of, and respect
for, other cultures, lifestyles, and life forms.”
“Nonviolence keeps the peace without cruel force”
“Nonviolence means solving problems productively without the use of
force or weapons. It is refusing to own weapons; reaching out to the
people who resort to violence to show them different ways to solve
problems teaching people to recognize that violence is not the only way
to react to violence itself; and exhibiting peace in all situations.”
“Nonviolence leans approaching people and situations in a way that is
open and understanding, not hostile or confrontational.”
“Nonviolence is respect for the other.”
“Nonviolence entails interrupting systems of violence, institutionalizing
structural nonviolence, and otherwise promoting life-honoring ways of
life.”
“Nonviolence is a creative and diverse means for resolving conflicts
peacefully with a unified understanding.”
“Nonviolence does not necessarily mean peaceful, submissive, or docile.
I believe it means an intentional, active, committed decision to strive to
use universal.”
