During a recent discussion, a friend mentioned “The Season for Nonviolence.” I was intrigued since I had no idea there was an officially designated season for nonviolence, but I am grateful that I now do. What I have since learned upon further investigation is that the Season For Nonviolence marks the 64 days between the anniversaries of the deaths of Mohandas Gandhi on January 30 and Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4. Since we are not that far into the season, I thought it would be a wonderful topic coinciding as it does with Black History Month.

The Season for Nonviolence was cofounded by Arun and Sunanda Gandhi and the Leadership Council of The Association for Global New Thought (AGNT) in 1998. The objective of the season is to spend each of the 64 days immersed in specific issues of nonviolence. There is even a pledge you can take if you wish to join in. Of course, the commitment is one that you make to yourself, since there is no one monitoring your activity. This is a way that we as individuals can learn to practice nonviolence one step at a time, one choice at a time, and one day at a time. Here is the pledge:

The Pledge of Nonviolence

I will work to grow my understanding of nonviolence.

I will work to grow my compassion for all humans and other life forms.

I will work to help create a more just, peaceful, and loving world.

You certainly don’t have to go to the website or fill out any form to make this pledge. Each of the sentences of the pledge are declarations that upon meditation and continued thought can lead to a deeper understanding. They can and should be a part of our daily lives and mantra, both during and outside the Season For Nonviolence.

In addition to the pledge, The Gandhi Institute provides a 64-day plan for participating in these efforts. The steps may seem small — practicing gratitude or spending time in contemplation or embracing creativity — but taken together, each step leads us on the path to a peaceful world.

Learn more and plan your 64-day commitment to nonviolence here.

Quotes That Promote Nonviolence

Here are some of my favorite quotes I found on the website that I would like to share in an effort to spread the spirit of nonviolence to all.

“When people decide they want to be free, there is nothing that can stop them.”
-Bishop Desmond Tutu

“To be free is to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
–Nelson Mandela

“Nonviolence is based on the assumption that human nature … unfailingly responds to the advances of love.” Gandhi

“When you understand, you cannot help but love.  Practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion.”   Thich Nhat Hanh

“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”   -Thich Nhat Hanh

“Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve …  you only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.”   Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

My Dedication To A Life Of Nonviolence 

As a doctor, it is my life’s work to help heal and promote health and wellness not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually. The Season for Nonviolence appeals to me on many different levels. I hope it speaks to you as well.