A case of having your cake and eating it too?

[Venari]

I apologize I decided my post was harsh and counter productive so I deleted the content.
-Venari

[Joe Brummer]

It takes courage to realize that, congrats!

[keltic63]

It takes courage to realize that, congrats!

1

I often sit here typing responses, only to hit the back button and never post it. This is such a difficult issue for both sides. It's important to stay close to the issues and remember that there are real people with real feelings on both sides of the dialogue.

good for you, venari, for not only remembering that, but correcting your actions. I appreciate that.

[DoofSFNYC]

On that point, i can't help wondering if the entire idea of these instant postings going up with little time for cooling off in between is compatible with the basic idea behind nonviolent dialogue. Maybe that's why Ghandi & King were successful in their day... they had lots of time to consider how best to put a point so that it would strike at the untruth and not at their adversary. Then again, maybe the constant trial-and-error of posting is giving us alot more practice at nonviolent dialogue than we would normally get :)

[themattperry]

I think that is a good point ... and also that this form of communication (msg board) is good for some things and not for others.

One strategy I try to employ is to wait at least a day until I respond to someone's post ... this improves my arguments and level of compassion, and gives me time to learn from the posts I've just read.

Hmm ... I guess I just went against my own policy in the case of this post ... but whateva ;-)

[NathanATX]

I know I have major room for growth in this area...

Any suggestions for learning/teaching the soulforce principles?

[Joe Brummer]

Something to think about would be the first principles of MLK non-violence.

Non-violence is a way of life......

Practice non-violence, and keep practicing until it becomes your response. It isn't easy, but becomes easier the more you do it. (not to say people do or do not do it).

I get what you are saying about cooling off, but the more you practice non-violence, the less you need to cool off. Being angry is human. Anger is a great motivation for change. WHen we get angry we have two choices, we can lash out or turn the anger into love. King and Gandhi both learned for themselves on a daily basis how to turn the anger into a motivating love that brings truth to their adversary. Truth brought in love will also bring justice.

[Joe Brummer]

I know I have major room for growth in this area...

Any suggestions for learning/teaching the soulforce principles?



Read king. Stride to freedom or the "Pilgrimage to non-violence" which is available online. Re-read them over and over and practice them in your daily life.

[Vanessa White]

The emotion of anger, sadness, elation, whatever it is that may be talked about, is exactly that, the EMOTION. What we then THINK or DO are separate components of human behavior. I know that it is hard to separate them at times, but the more we practice it through our thoughts and our behavior, in terms of nonviolent principles, the more that the reaction, especially with anger, will be replaced with thoughtful response and discussion. Maybe that is the pipe dream, but I do believe we all, on any side of an issue, have an opportunity to evolve and to grow into someone more embracing and loving.

[Joe Brummer]

A great way to learn the steps and principles of non-violence is to take modern issues and walk them through it or look at past non-violence actions and see how the steps were used.


Take the Lunch counter sits in or the Bus boycotts and look at how the steps of non-violence were used. SOmetimes breaking things into pieces and examine it helps to make it make more sense.


Here is an example or case study I am making up......walk this through the six steps.

Say an employer has decided to cut all the employees "free coffee". For years the employees have enjoyed this. It made them feel appreciated by the employer. Now in an attepmt to save money, he is cutting out the free coffee. The wokers are very angry. How can the conflict be solved throught the priciples and "steps" of non-violence?


http://www.thekingcenter.org/prog/non/6principles.html


http://www.thekingcenter.org/prog/non/6steps.html


Walk the conflict through the steps.

[NathanATX]

SOmetimes breaking things into pieces and examine it helps to make it make more sense.

Now breaking things into pieces is something I think I can do! :)

Seriously, thanks for the direction... I've now got some homework to do.

Nate

[Joe Brummer]

don't forget to hit the green button on the King website. It plays a flash tutorial on each principle and each step. It will help you with the excerise.

[Joe Brummer]

So who will be first to post their answers?