Learning Nonviolence
A Review by John K. Stoner
ENGAGE: EXPLORE NONVIOLENT LIVING by Laura Slattery, Ken Butigan, Veronica Pelicaric and Ken Preston-Pile. Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, 1420 W. Bartlett Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106 $22.00 http://www.paceebene.org
ENGAGE: EXPLORING NONVIOLENT LIVING is a 300 page workbook describing itself as “a study program for learning, practicing, and experimenting with the power of creative nonviolence to transform our lives and our world.”
Why bother?
Maybe because of this. “Question: Why are we violent but not illiterate? Answer: Because we are taught to read.” (Colman McCarthy, p. 92).
Could we be taught nonviolence? Is the Pope Catholic? Do bears crap in the forest?
This book, published by Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, (Las Vegas, Oakland, Chicago, Montreal), is a 12-session study program guided by four commitments:
--relationship building
--diversity
--spiritual practice
--nonviolent action.
For Every Church a Peace Church, ENGAGE: EXPLORING NONVIOLENT ACTION could become a central teaching resource. We are considering this. An interesting characteristic of the book for us is its inter religious character. Or it might be described as non-religious, in the sense of not promoting the views of any organized religion, but definitely spiritual. For ECACP, which exists because bad religion (specifically bad Christianity) is so prevalent, this has an attractive side.
We could use the book and the facilitator/teacher could add Biblical texts and teaching of Jesus as supplemental and illustrative material. I understand that Pace e Bene is considering writing a Christian version of the book. And of course I am working on a book with C. T. Vivian setting forth the peace church vision, and that will be a study book too. So we will see.
But back to the strengths of ENGAGE: EXPLORING NONVIOLENT LIVING. The title says a lot. First, it says nonviolence is engaged with the world, engaged with conflict and violence, with active peacemaking. The old stereotypes of pacifism as disengaged and irrelevant are even more misguided than usual in the case of this study program. The point, of course, is not particularly to rehabilitate to word pacifism, though that should be done. The point is that nonviolent peacemaking is active, it is engaged, and it is a genuine, attractive alternative to violence. It is not only an alternative, it is an immeasurably superior alternative. Giving up violence for nonviolence is giving up something which does not work for something which does, which is never a bad exchange!
Second, the title communicates the openness and creativity of the process and approach. “Exploring” invites the participant to use her or his own senses, creativity, courage and skills. It suggests, as is true, that the territory has not all been mapped and charted. There are new things to learn. When it comes to humanity, conflict and nonviolence, yes there are indeed new things to learn!
Third, the word “living” in the title denotes the comprehensive approach which is taken. Nonviolence is about a way of living, a way of life. It touches everything, engaging the whole being of the individual and the whole scope of the individual’s life.
The book is a treasury of definitions--clear and compelling. For example, “Nonviolence is a creative and active power for justice and the well-being of all that uses neither violence nor passivity” (p. xiv). Added to this are definitions of nonviolence by famous nonviolent leaders, each enlarging the reader’s understanding.
Earlier I mentioned that no particular religion is promoted. Instead, the book claims to take an approach of “inclusive spirituality.” Again, a trenchant definition: “Inclusive spirituality is life creatively and compassionately seeking the wholeness and well-being of all” (p. xvii).
The book is marked by a deep respect for human beings. It “roots the nonviolent journey in the profound mystery of encountering and engaging with the woundedness and sacredness of all beings” (p. xvii). This starts with a philosophy of learning which deals carefully with the psyche of the learner. I was familiar with the expression “comfort zone” as a description of the individual’s comfort with familiar ideas and practices. And I had heard of the discomfort zone. But the “alarm zone” was a new expression for me, and I found this third description of the psyche’s response to new information or experience a helpful concept in educational psychology. Learning happens in, and probably requires, discomfort zone experiences. But it probably does not happen in alarm zone experience, where resistance overpowers openness.
The twelve sessions include a remarkable variety of group learning approaches and experiences. The leader’s guide materials are carefully conceived and detailed. I have never seen a resource for teaching nonviolence which I could recommend more highly.
But again, why take up the task of working through a big book and an extended experience like this? One of the powerful quotes contained in the pages of this book (there are many) answers this question, and I leave the reader with it:
I believe war is a weapon of persons without personal power, that is to say, the power to reason, the power to persuade, from a position of morality and integrity; and that to go to war with an enemy who is weaker than you is to admit you possess no resources within yourself to bring to bear on your fate (Alice Walker, p. 31).
ENGAGE: EXPLORE NONVIOLENT LIVING by Laura Slattery, Ken Butigan, Veronica Pelicaric and Ken Preston-Pile. Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, 1420 W. Bartlett Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106 $22.00 http://www.paceebene.org
ENGAGE: EXPLORING NONVIOLENT LIVING is a 300 page workbook describing itself as “a study program for learning, practicing, and experimenting with the power of creative nonviolence to transform our lives and our world.”
Why bother?
Maybe because of this. “Question: Why are we violent but not illiterate? Answer: Because we are taught to read.” (Colman McCarthy, p. 92).
Could we be taught nonviolence? Is the Pope Catholic? Do bears crap in the forest?
This book, published by Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, (Las Vegas, Oakland, Chicago, Montreal), is a 12-session study program guided by four commitments:
--relationship building
--diversity
--spiritual practice
--nonviolent action.
For Every Church a Peace Church, ENGAGE: EXPLORING NONVIOLENT ACTION could become a central teaching resource. We are considering this. An interesting characteristic of the book for us is its inter religious character. Or it might be described as non-religious, in the sense of not promoting the views of any organized religion, but definitely spiritual. For ECACP, which exists because bad religion (specifically bad Christianity) is so prevalent, this has an attractive side.
We could use the book and the facilitator/teacher could add Biblical texts and teaching of Jesus as supplemental and illustrative material. I understand that Pace e Bene is considering writing a Christian version of the book. And of course I am working on a book with C. T. Vivian setting forth the peace church vision, and that will be a study book too. So we will see.
But back to the strengths of ENGAGE: EXPLORING NONVIOLENT LIVING. The title says a lot. First, it says nonviolence is engaged with the world, engaged with conflict and violence, with active peacemaking. The old stereotypes of pacifism as disengaged and irrelevant are even more misguided than usual in the case of this study program. The point, of course, is not particularly to rehabilitate to word pacifism, though that should be done. The point is that nonviolent peacemaking is active, it is engaged, and it is a genuine, attractive alternative to violence. It is not only an alternative, it is an immeasurably superior alternative. Giving up violence for nonviolence is giving up something which does not work for something which does, which is never a bad exchange!
Second, the title communicates the openness and creativity of the process and approach. “Exploring” invites the participant to use her or his own senses, creativity, courage and skills. It suggests, as is true, that the territory has not all been mapped and charted. There are new things to learn. When it comes to humanity, conflict and nonviolence, yes there are indeed new things to learn!
Third, the word “living” in the title denotes the comprehensive approach which is taken. Nonviolence is about a way of living, a way of life. It touches everything, engaging the whole being of the individual and the whole scope of the individual’s life.
The book is a treasury of definitions--clear and compelling. For example, “Nonviolence is a creative and active power for justice and the well-being of all that uses neither violence nor passivity” (p. xiv). Added to this are definitions of nonviolence by famous nonviolent leaders, each enlarging the reader’s understanding.
Earlier I mentioned that no particular religion is promoted. Instead, the book claims to take an approach of “inclusive spirituality.” Again, a trenchant definition: “Inclusive spirituality is life creatively and compassionately seeking the wholeness and well-being of all” (p. xvii).
The book is marked by a deep respect for human beings. It “roots the nonviolent journey in the profound mystery of encountering and engaging with the woundedness and sacredness of all beings” (p. xvii). This starts with a philosophy of learning which deals carefully with the psyche of the learner. I was familiar with the expression “comfort zone” as a description of the individual’s comfort with familiar ideas and practices. And I had heard of the discomfort zone. But the “alarm zone” was a new expression for me, and I found this third description of the psyche’s response to new information or experience a helpful concept in educational psychology. Learning happens in, and probably requires, discomfort zone experiences. But it probably does not happen in alarm zone experience, where resistance overpowers openness.
The twelve sessions include a remarkable variety of group learning approaches and experiences. The leader’s guide materials are carefully conceived and detailed. I have never seen a resource for teaching nonviolence which I could recommend more highly.
But again, why take up the task of working through a big book and an extended experience like this? One of the powerful quotes contained in the pages of this book (there are many) answers this question, and I leave the reader with it:
I believe war is a weapon of persons without personal power, that is to say, the power to reason, the power to persuade, from a position of morality and integrity; and that to go to war with an enemy who is weaker than you is to admit you possess no resources within yourself to bring to bear on your fate (Alice Walker, p. 31).
posted by Pax Christi @ Tuesday, March 27, 2007
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