Metta Center for Nonviolence

08/19/2026

This September, Nonviolence Studies turns to Gandhian economics and nonviolent perspectives on economic life.

We’ll explore Gandhi’s ideas about work, wealth, consumption, self-reliance, and the purpose of an economy—and ask what these ideas might offer us today.

Each week includes self-paced resources, opportunities to connect in decentralized study groups, and Wednesday office hours with Michael Nagler. We also regularly welcome guest teachers to offer new perspectives, with their presentations recorded for those who can’t attend live.

Join us for a month of study, reflection, and conversation about economics through the lens of nonviolence.

Registration is now open for September.
mettacenter.org/nonviolencestudies

07/29/2026

It's Wednesday, which at Metta means, "Take Your Kitty to Work Day." Tessa has us all wrapped around her little paw. She wants you to remember to treat all animals with gentleness and to advocate for them always. 😻🐾😽

07/28/2026

Hi, I'm Stephanie, the director of the Metta Center for Nonviolence. I have an MA in Conflict Resolution and have been working in the field of nonviolence education for close to 20 years, and I want you to know about what I think is the best textbook on conflict resolution, probably ever (so far).

*Advanced Introduction to Conflict Resolution* from the Elgar Advanced Introductions Series out of Edward Elgar Publishing... (don't let the title get you down...it's a gem.) (No I was not asked to do this, but here I am.)

It's by (peace) anthropologist Douglas P. Fry, and it takes a global approach to conflict resolution, drawing upon insights and practices from Indigenous and non-Western societies around the world—a perspective that is often overlooked in books like this.

But this is more than a textbook. It's actually a fun read. It's self-help. It's inspiration for the journey of life. It's science. Fry is a fantastic writer. He's concise, clear, and funny; and he brings new light to a very old problem: conflict and violence.

He's clearly a disciplined writer and scholar, making ideas about peace and nonviolence extremely accessible to anyone interested in making their lives better.

This is a book full of wisdom and insight, hiding behind a very plain cover and a very basic title. Don't overlook it because of its humility. It's truly wonderful.

Please buy yourself a copy and then one more for a friend. We all need a little conflict support.

This has been a Public Service Announcement. 😊

https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/advanced-introduction-to-conflict-resolution-9781035323906.html?srsltid=AfmBOooBuXR0zXNWCkF7fGQkUy-kSyd9_FO5rq_oEJvLFxkHtnjG8S_4

07/15/2026

"In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human. We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us […], the splendor of which no machine can ever replace. True progress always stems from a heart open to others, an intelligence willing to listen, and a will that seeks what unites rather than what separates."(Magnifica Humanitas, paragraph 15)

Listen to our interview with Marie Dennis:

https://mettacenter.substack.com/p/ai-human-dignity-and-nonviolence

07/01/2026

What does it mean to live simply in a culture built on excess? In this episode of Nonviolence Radio, we speak with environmental activist Robin Greenfield, whose latest experiment is to forage 100% of his food and medicine for a year while traveling the country to help people rediscover their relationship with the Earth. Together we explore simplicity as a practice of nonviolence, the illusion of separateness, and how reconnecting with nature, community, and ourselves can become a profound act of resistance. As Greenfield reflects, "Connection is at the root of the solution to all of our problems, and disconnection is at the core of our societal woes." Drawing on influences including Gandhi, Peace Pilgrim, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marshall Rosenberg, and Robin Wall Kimmerer, he shares how a life of voluntary simplicity has become not one of sacrifice, but of greater freedom, joy, and connection.

Listen today at Nonviolence Radio:

https://www.mettacenter.org/nonviolenceradio

06/22/2026

Wisdom demands a new orientation of science and technology toward the organic, the gentle, the elegant and beautiful.
E. F. Schumacher

As technology becomes increasingly powerful and influential in our lives, how do we ensure that it reflects and strengthens our deepest human values rather than undermines them? And as technology continues to evolve, what qualities of being human become even more important to cultivate?

In July, our online Nonviolence Studies program will explore the relationship between technology and nonviolence through readings, conversations, and shared inquiry. Together, we’ll examine the promises and challenges of emerging technologies, consider their impact on our relationships and communities, and reflect on how we can engage technology in ways that support human dignity, connection, compassion, and the practice of nonviolence.

Whether you are excited about technological change, concerned about its effects, or simply curious to learn more, we hope you’ll join us for this timely exploration. Participants can engage from anywhere in the world through our online learning community, with weekly resources, discussion, and opportunities to connect with fellow learners.

Learn more and register at mettacenter.org/nonviolencestudies

06/19/2026

Hi Everyone!

There’s good news all around. Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding and testing facility in Wisconsin, is shutting down for good. This is due to the tireless and dedicated work of a movement, and EVERYONE who helped along the way, from those trained and ready to offer nonviolent direct action, to those ready to foster dogs, to those who offered and continue to supply other forms of support work and funding, all of it. And it’s a case study for nonviolence and movement building that we can all learn from.

Last week on Nonviolence Radio we shared an interview with Zoe Rosenberg. She’s a powerful and courageous voice and witness for animals; a convicted felon for rescuing three chickens from Perdue’s Petaluma Poultry factory farm and slaughterhouse; and she’s an organizer with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), an organization whose goal is to end animal exploitation in one generation through nonviolent means.

While the work is far from over, this is a form of joyous momentum.

Ending animal exploitation goes hand in hand with the uplift of human beings, doesn’t it? Contrary to what mainstream media tries to tell us, we are not selfish creatures meant to exploit and harm anyone and anything that gets in the way of what we want. We are here to heal, serve, and protect life and to realize peace among ourselves, across any and all divides.

The words of mystic Thomas Merton ring out even louder today:

“But someone will say, ‘ If we once recognize that we are all equally wrong, all political action will instantly be paralyzed. We can only act when we assume that we are in the right.’ On the contrary, I believe that the basis for valid political action can only be the recognition that the true solution to our problems is not accessible to any one isolated party or nation but that all must arrive at it by working together.”

-Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation, pp. 116-17

Zoe shares her experiences with open rescue, facing the legal consequences of her actions from the rescue to prison, and how those experiences only made her more sensitive to the well-being of other humans and animals. And she also introduces us to Chester, her beautiful beagle rescued from the cruelty of Ridglan Farms.

Thank you for being part of a movement of peace, care, and compassion.

Stephanie Van Hook, Executive Director

Direct Action Everywhere activist Zoe Rosenberg discusses her nonviolent commitment to defending animals and repression in the movement. https://wagingnonviolence.org/metta/podcast/animal-rights-movement-can-transform-hearts-institutions/

06/19/2026

As we study constructive program in our Nonviolence Studies course this month, here's a nice example of how train tracks for war supplies have been converted to bike trails, from our friend Inge in Germany.

"I have to be busy reading because I went on a bicycle trip this weekend. I rode the "Vennbahn" bike trail starting in the west of Germany, leading through east of Belgium to the small state of Luxemburg. It is a former railroad track, which was built 150 years ago and was used by the German army during the world wars. After WW2, the railroad track itself became Belgian. Since then it is a long stretch of land of 6 meters width winding through the westmost part of Germany. Funny situation and the rail traffic ended fifty years ago due to bureaucracy. Ten years ago, the Belgian state made a bicycle trail of it. This is the most constructive use of this piece of land. In each village there is a huge sign, telling about the history of the railroad and the local train station. There was once much effort in building the railtrack just to be able to start war better, then it got completely useless and now it is a reason to spend free time in nature riding a bike and visiting the neighbouring country."

Very cool. 🛞

06/15/2026

Dear Friends,

June at the Metta Center is dedicated to the study of ‘constructive program,’ a feature of nonviolence that emphasizes solutions building as part of the larger strategy for a nonviolent future. We are happy to invite you to join us for an event this Thursday with our friend Rivera Sun. See all the info for joining below, and see you there!

Nonviolent Solutions & Constructive Programs: Building the Future Together

THURSDAY JUNE 18, 2026

10 AM PACIFIC TIME

Nonviolent solutions and constructive programs are "means that are ends in the making". There are hundreds of ways to stop, prevent, and end violence and systemic harm. From interrupting street fights to ending wars, these nonviolent solutions are everywhere. They include restorative justice, community safety initiatives, conflict resolution in schools, living wages, universal basic income, affordable housing, debt abolition, reparations, renewable energy, nonviolent struggle, civilian-based defense, and so much more.

While some require large institutions to take action, many are accessible by people in their daily lives. Active bystander trainings teach people to intervene in harassment and bullying. Conflict resolution skills give everyone the ability to resolve disputes without violence. Economic solutions like mutual aid, savings circles, swap networks, little free fridges, and tool libraries put the power to transform poverty into our hands. Ecological efforts like native plants, rewilding, vegetarianism, local and small scale solar, composting, ride shares, and more offer ways for people to protect the earth. Each of these, practices by thousands or millions of people, becomes a form of Gandhian constructive program that can help social movements succeed at challenging the violence, harm, and destruction in our world.

Rivera Sun will introduce nonviolent solutions and facilitate a discussion on the connections between these efforts and constructive program. Rivera is the program coordinator for Pace e Bene, a 37-year-old nonviolence organization that has dubbed 2026 "The Year of Nonviolent Solutions.”

THURSDAY JUNE 18, 2026

10 AM PACIFIC TIME

REGISTER HERE https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gzvdbAN2QuKXqZmP2D6viw

05/27/2026

One minute of reflection...

“Nonviolence is not sterile passivity but a powerful moral force which makes for social transformation…the foundation of such a method is love.” , ...