Love in Action: Carrying Ahimsa Beyond the Season

The Season for Nonviolence | January 30 to April 4, 2025

As the 2025 Season for Nonviolence comes to a close, we reflect on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

“Nonviolence is an absolute commitment to the way of love.”

Founded in the spirit of Gandhi and King, the Season for Nonviolence is dedicated to remembrance, education and the de-escalation of violence. It is rooted in the belief that each of us has the power to move the world toward peace through our daily choices and actions. This Season also honors those who embody ahimsa in their communities, uplifting the dignity and worth of every human being.

Memorable Visit of the Season 

One of the memorable moments of this Season was our visit to Thurman White Academy of the Performing Arts (“TWA”). The Thurman White Academy Advanced Choir was preparing for their performance at the American Choral Directors Association National Conference in Dallas, Texas last month. Performing at the American Choral Directors Association National Conference is the highest honor a Choral Program can receive. They presented performances at The Meyerson Symphony Center and The Winspear Opera House.

TWA Strings in Action  

To Be or Not… To Be?

To be, or not to be. To exist in the rhythm of what is, or to fade in the silence of what isn’t. 

To swing, or to sit out the dance?

Much like Ellington’s jazz, the question is more than mere words…

it’s a composition, an improvisation,

a dialogue between presence and absence, structure and spontaneity.

The beat of being, the syncopation of choice.

And so, the refrain plays on. To be? 

Oh, but how to be… now that’s where the music begins…

Thurman Academy Middle School youth learning to be…  

Listening Before Speaking, Understanding Before Reacting

This year, we embraced a more contemplative approach. Like Gandhi, we chose to listen, meditate, and pray for clarity before responding to the shifting tides of our time. In a world that often rushes to react, we paused to reflect, to seek deeper understanding.

A Challenge to Nonviolence: The Removal of Peace Education Resources

One of the unexpected challenges this year was the impact of policy changes under the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk under the Trump Administration in 2025. In an effort to reduce fraud and waste, this department removed the United States Institute of Peace website, blocking vital taxpayer-funded educational curriculum designed to teach peace and conflict resolution to students and teachers of all ages.

While government efficiency has its place, the loss of access to this invaluable resource rooted in the teachings of Gandhi and King is a significant setback for educators striving to create safer and more compassionate learning environments. #PeaceEducationMatters

“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.”― Gandhi

Gandhian Nonviolence: Walking and Talking

Gandhi and his Satyagrahis did not carry signs or shout. They walked and they talked. Their newspaper published thoughtful articles that invited dialogue. They walked until they could start talking, they talked until they reached understanding, and if they did not, they walked again, engaging in patient and persistent conversation.

This method reminds us that true transformation does not arise from reactionary outbursts but through deliberate and steadfast dialogue. As we move beyond this Season, may we embody this practice, walking forward with love and coming together through dialogue. 

Beyond the Season: Ahimsa as a Way of Life

Though these 64 days have passed, the commitment to ahimsa does not end here. Ahimsa is not bound by a calendar. It is a lifelong practice. Each of us has the power to extend ahimsa into our daily lives, shaping a more loving and kind world.

The Season for Nonviolence is not a conclusion but a continuation. Time stops, as we move through time and in each moment, we hold the power to choose love over fear, patience over anger, and understanding over division.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Let us carry the light forward together.

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