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Voices of Peace
Gandhi and the Future of Non-violent Transformation
Why I joined others on September 11, 2006, to fast and to be in silent vigil and meditation
By Peg Morton
Posted on Sep 29, 2006 |
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September 11, 2006, was not only a time to commomorate the tragic and horrible suicide attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. It was also the 100th anniversary of the launching in South Africa of Mahatma Gandhi's movement of nonviolent resistance.
This movement is more aptly called Satyagraha. The word has several translations. "Truth-Force" is one. I resonate with "Soul-Force." It implies the existence and availability of a potentially life-transforming power. Satyagraha is "revolutionary soul-force with the power to engage the masses in radical social change." (Please see Bill Sutherland and Matt Meyer, Gunds and Gandhi in Africa, Africa World Press, Trenton, NJ, 2000, p. 266 and elsewhere, to read their description.) There was and is nothing passive about this century-old movement. It has been active and creative. It demands self-sacrifice, persistence, courage and love.
The convergence of these two anniversaries is amazing. It is a convergence of an example of the tragic, of violence in the extreme, and of hope, hope that grows from memory, knowledge of the successes and the inspiration of so many nonviolent movements over the past century that have been taught by and nurtured in the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.
I frequently find myself, and I believe that many others do also, at this moment in history, with feelings of deep despair and hopelessness, as we watch so many forces catapulting us, our world, our planet, into extreme violence, poverty, death. Unbelievable suffering. I wonder if we may be facing the death of our planet as we know it. And I believe that our own country, the United States, the country we still would like to think of, or hope it is at least in part, a democracy--the government of our country and the multinational corporations it supports, bears the bulk of the responsibility for this tidal wave of destruction and suffering. And this is my country. How can I, how do I/we respond? To what extent am I complicit in the tragedies that are occurring?
I know that to get caught in a mire of hopelessness and inaction would not be helpful. I choose to act, usually in small ways, vigils, telephone calls... People say, "This is not effective. That is not effective." For me, believing that my actions are ineffective would be an excuse to opt out. I must continue. My strength and energy are nurtured by a strong and growing feeling of support and friendship within the peace community. There is a growing trust and love among us. We must protect and nurture that! I am nurtured also by my faith community, the Eugene Friends Meeting, in the depth of worship, friendship and support. And I am nurtured by times away, camping and walking, embraced by forests, streams, skies, clear air, our beautiful Willamette River.. and the Spirit that enters and fills. I yearn for more such times away!
Gandhi frequently removed himself from his activities to engage in lengthy periods of fasts and reflection. The day-long fast and reflection on September 11 was symbolic of his life and practices. It was a reminder of the greatness of his quest, the depth of his spirit and his commitment.
We are facing a period of history that demands our deepest commitments. The ten days which we took in our community of Eugene to celebrate and to let ourselves be taught by Gandhi, were days of reflection. I asked myself, "What steps can I, can we, take?" Some ideas are taking shape in my thoughts. As we consider the distinct possibility of the bombing of Iran, as we consider the use of torture, the erosion of our civil liberties in the name of countering terrorism, of the occupation of Iraq and all the atrocities there, ... what can we do? Can strong action now make a difference? We can never know, but I believe that, as citizens of the United States, we are called to do all we can. The least it will do is to let the rest of the world know that we care.
Gandhi's movement has always believed that, when called, we take suffering on ourselves. We attempt never to inflict suffering on others.
--We could join a growing, both interfaith and secular rotating fast. There has been an interfaith fast in progress in Portland, Oregon, and perhaps elsewhere. Code Pink participants nationally, led and inspired by Cindy Sheehan and Media Benjamin, engaged in an ongoing Bring the Troops Home fast beginning on July 4 and ending on September 21, the International Day of Peace.
--There is the possibility of crossing the line in non-violent criminal trespass at Fort Benning as part of the huge nonviolent effort to close the School of the Americas (now re-named Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation). With this action, one risks 3 to 6 months in prison. The SOA has taught torture, disappearance, kidnapping and assassination, all of which still continue in Latin America and around the world.
--If/when the United States actually begins the bombing of Iran, how do we respond? Will we, as caring people within the United States, have a plan for massive, courageous nonviolent action? A fellow weekly vigiler says that he will lie down at a door of the Federal Building in Eugene. I began to imagine our bodies, in Eugene, all over the country, lying prone at federal couthouses, post offices, refusing to budge, acting not with hate or hostility for the people who work in and guard those buildings, nor even for those who perpetrate the violence, but with love for the world of our dreams, for the love of the people of Iran, of Iraq, of Darfur, of New Orleans, the homeless of our community, of our planet.
Others who read the internet and elsewhere may know of other ideas and plans. Let's share them, examine them, and act nonviolently, with love, in common cause.
With love,
Peg Morton
Peg puts her non-violent, protesting love into action. Just earlier this week she and others visited the Eugene office of Senator Gordon Smith to protest his continuing support for the Iraq war. Declining to leave until they had an answer, they were arrested, briefly jailed, released and cheerfully wait the trial. Peg has written of her spiritual journeys when she protested at the gates of the School of the Americas and "crossed the line" last year.
Start the Peg Morton's Letters from Prison here and read back:
Peg Morton's Letter from Prison: Moments of Quiet, Moments of Anger and Fear
Peg Morton's Letters from Prison: Shackles and Bits- Pieces of My Life
Peg Morton's Letters from Prison: Toni's Story
Peg Morton's Letters from Prison: Work, Babies and Conditions
Peg Morton's Letters from Prison: We Are Many, We Are One
A Cross and A Fence
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