Working Assumptions of Nonviolence

The means must be consistent with the end

Respect all life.
Relate to all individuals in as human a way as possible, despite disagreements or anger. Value and respect non-human forms.

Transform opposition rather than destroy it.
When there is a basic respect for the other individual in any confrontational situation, it's possible to work towards changing, rather than "destroying an opponent". It's not only the other person who needs to change; we must be willing to listen and undergo change or hardship ourselves. Use humor, creativity, respect, and love.

Aim for underlying changes
Change may take longer this way, but it will produce more enduring, higher quality change. Sexism or militarism can be subtle or blatant; change the attitude behind a behavior and you can get rid of the behavior too.

Power lies in social dynamics
Power does not "belong" only to certain people or groups; it lies in how we act and react.

Nonviolence is active
We must always be aware and observant, so that we can help guide the situation to a win-win ending. Good will not happen by just sitting back and hoping things will be OK.

Nonviolence Agreement

Our attitude will be one of openness, friendliness and respect towards all people we encounter.
We will use no violence, verbal or physical, towards any person.
We will not damage any property.
We will not bring or use alcohol or other drugs, other than for medical purposes.
We will not run.
We will carry no weapons

These guidelines are a valuable beginning, but they are no substitute for sensitivity to a particular situation or a sense of what kind of positive acts can be used.

Nonviolent Response to Personal Violence

NOTE: As a Karma Patroller, it is highly unlikely that you will face a threat of personal physical violence. If you do, you are NOT expected to risk yourself. Leave the situation and report it to the Karma Dome.

Nonviolence focuses on communication:

Be clear about your objectives. Your objectives must be reasonable. You must believe you are fair, and you must communicate this to the other person.

Don't let fright control you. It may affect clear thinking. Maintain as much eye contact as possible.

Be mindful of your actions. Make no abrupt gestures. Move slowly. When practical, tell the other person what you are going to do before you do it. ("I'm going to get a pen from my jacket"). Avoid sounding threatening, critical, or hostile.

You can state the obvious. Simply say "you're hurting my arm", or "you're shouting at me".

Be strong-minded and determined. Someone in the process of committing an act of violence may have strong expectations as to how his/her "victim" may behave. If you manage to behave differently - in a non-threatening manner - you can interrupt the flow of escalating events that would have culminated in an act of violence. Assert a scenario that is new to the other person.

Seek to befriend the other person's better nature. Even the most brutal and brutalized among us have some spark of decency, which the nonviolent defender may reach.

You are empowered to act, even under the threat of physical violence. You have to be totally aware, and be ready to react according to the situation. The best guide is to resist as firmly as you can without escalating the anger or violence. Try varying approaches, and keep trying to alter the other's view of the situation.

Keep talking. Keep listening. Get the other person involved at a level apart from the physical. Encourage him/her to talk about what s/he believes, wishes, fears. Don't argue. Keep the talk going and keep it calm. The listening is more important than what you say. Listening is one of the most important things in life. Don't rush it.