Whole-Person Wellness Blog: Nonviolence in a time where compassion is deeply needed

June holds deep spiritual meaning, linked to light, renewal, and transformation with the power of the summer solstice. It is also a time to honor Juneteenth and celebrate Pride month. As we delve into this month’s theme of nonviolence, let’s explore compassion and pacifism and reflect on this Sanctuary commitment within our lives.

In Sanctuary terms, safety refers to not only physical safety but also moral, psychological, and social safety. Examples include:

Physical violence: Hitting, touching without permission, lunging toward, locking doors, and blocking single-point exits.
Moral violence: Controlling others to force an outcome with which they are not morally aligned without providing an alternative or safe means of exit.
Social violence: Gossip, bullying, exclusion, avoiding responsibilities, work dumping, name-calling, using position/relationship to coerce or manipulate, and silencing others.
Psychological/emotional violence: Victimizing, persecuting, rescuing, abandoning, and avoiding.

To learn more about the Sanctuary nonviolence commitment, please visit our Whole-Person Wellness website here.

I recently discovered Bayard Rustin, an American leader in the movements for civil rights, socialism, pacifism, nonviolence, and gay rights. Given his powerful story and his working alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I am very surprised I am just learning about him now.

His grandmother’s influence sparked his interest in social justice. He was associated with the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a pacifist organization. He ventured to India to study the Gandhian philosophy of nonviolence, and he was the chief organizer of the March on Washington, bringing together more than 250,000 people in the fight for civil rights. He was diligent, disciplined, and effective, despite facing immense challenges and personal issues within his life.

Being openly gay, he faced discrimination, hatred, and was even arrested at a time when being gay was a crime. He was often working for change behind the scenes due to his sexual orientation, but laid the groundwork for future advancements in LGBTQIA+ rights and civil rights while living the unique intersectionality of the two.

His legacy endures today through his courage, determination, perseverance, and unwavering devotion to nonviolence, reminding us all that the fight for justice is ongoing, and the power of one person is immeasurable.

Another pivotal force in nonviolence was Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. His personal experience with antisemitism, hatred, and discrimination drove his life purpose as a traveling peacemaker, guiding others to look internally, address unmet needs, and how they may impact others, and change the way we communicate. To learn more, visit: https://www.cnvc.org/about/marshall.

There have been many individuals throughout history who have paved the way for nonviolence and compassion, while also addressing life’s complexities. This is a reminder that violence within human history is pervasive. However, it is also a reminder of the power of tuning in and inviting compassion, both to ourselves and to others, even when it is difficult. The power of even one person modelling peace is immeasurable.

धन्यवाद