Practicing Nonviolence

1.  Have you ever heard the word nonviolence? What do you think it means?

[Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

• Nonviolence means peace-making
• Nonviolence means controlling your temper and your angry feelings
• Nonviolence is resisting doing something that may be harmful
• Nonviolence does not mean being passive or ignoring a bad situation, it means meeting violence with peace.  It means meeting darkness with light

2.  What are different ways to practice nonviolence?

 [Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

• Forming genuine and thoughtful relationships with others
• Listening to other people's thoughts and beliefs, and looking for common ground
• Walking away when you feel unsafe
• Getting help from a trusted person
• Learning how to manage your emotions and behavior when you are starting to lose control

3.  If you are feeling violent, what are some things you can do to manage this feeling?
[Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

• Some people may want to talk to someone if their body or mind is starting to feel agitated or mad
• Some people may want to walk or run away if they are feeling out of control or their mind is starting to think violent thoughts
• Some people may want to practice taking deep breaths or other calming practices if they are having a hard time controlling their behavior

Emotions in a Jar

Materials Needed:

• Glass jar (this can be a mason jar you buy or a recycled jar)
• Water
• Glitter glue (or dry glitter and glue)

Directions:

• Fill your jar up almost all the way with water
• Add in a large spoon full of glitter glue or a spoon full of glue and some dry glitter.
• Place the lid on very tightly
• Give your jar a few good test shakes

Story Time – Activity Option 2 

[In order to complete this activity, your group will need a copy of one of the suggested books. Our library has a collection of books dedicated to each Soul Talk which is updated constantly! You can visit our library at the link below. Search for the Violence & Nonviolence section.] https://spiritualplaydate.com/spiritual_playdate_library 

Since our Soul Talk was about Practicing Nonviolence, we are going to read a book out loud. As you listen, start to think about how this story relates to what we just spoke about.

Sometimes, when our thoughts feel jumbled and our bodies feel hot and shaky, it’s our body’s way of saying it’s time for a little break. When bodies and minds feel this way, there is a good chance that if we stay in the situation, we are going to do something we don’t wish to do. We may say something we don’t really mean, or use our bodies to hurt someone or something, when we really don’t wish to. Sometimes, taking ourselves out of the situation is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and for others.

If you find yourself feeling this way, try finding a quiet space with your glitter jar. Give your new jar a good shake and watch the glitter swirl around. The glitter can feel like your emotions, swirling around in your body so quickly that sometimes it’s hard to take a breath or separate thoughts. As you watch the glitter start to settle to the bottom of the jar, practice taking some slow deep breaths. After all of the glitter settles, check in with yourself and a trusted grown up to see how you are feeling. Do your thoughts feel easier to figure out? Do you feel ready to talk to someone about how you are feeling? Sometimes one of the best ways to practice nonviolence is by leaving the situation and talking to a trusted grown up or friend about how you are feeling.

[Invite the group to find a relaxing position, take a mat or towel, if you are working on a hard floor. They may sit or lie down to be comfortable. Speak slightly slower in a soft, soothing tone throughout, pausing briefly between sentences. You may play soft, instrumental music in the background while reading the meditation script]

Welcome to our Meditation Time: The time where we relax and connect to the spirit in and around us. I invite you to sit or lie down and make yourself comfortable.  Quietly do that now.  [Wait until the group is settled, then read the meditation script] [Optional: Begin music.]

I am going to guide you through our meditation to help you relax.    Let’s close our eyes, and let’s start by putting our hands on our bellies, and taking a deep, long breath in.  Feel your belly rise as you breathe in – to the count of 1, 2, 3. Then feel your belly fall, as you slowly breathe out – to the count of 1, 2, 3.  Now breathe in – 1, 2, 3. And slowly breathe out like a tire losing air – 1, 2, 3. Continue to breathe in and out slowly and steadily. Relax your body into the floor beneath you.  Keep breathing.
Violence is never the answer.  Hurting someone or something won’t solve the problem.  It will just create bigger problems and more bad feelings.  [Pause.] It feels good to know that we have a choice when it comes to violence.  No matter how bad, angry, or hurt we feel, we can practice nonviolence.  We can make a choice for peace. [Pause] How do we create room in our body and mind for peace?  There’s one way that we’re doing right now – by getting still and quiet, taking deep breaths, and calming our thoughts.  When our feelings are getting ready to explode, we can talk to a trusted grown-up, to let those feelings out in a good way.  We can ask for help.  We can walk away from a fight.  We can work together with others to take positive action to change a situation we don’t like.  [Long Pause.]  We don’t have to hurt others to help ourselves. When we practice nonviolence, we create space for solutions instead of problems; we make real connections with everyone and everything around us; and we enjoy peace in our bodies and minds. [Long Pause.]  Let’s take some time now to imagine a world of nonviolence.  What does it look like?  What does it feel like?  How are people practicing nonviolence?  How are you practicing nonviolence?  [Long Pause.]  A world without violence is not just a dream.  It is possible.  When we know ourselves, when we take the time to truly know others, and when we treat all of creation with respect and love, peace will be the way of the world.  You can do your part to make that happen.  You can take the path of nonviolence.

Now let’s take one more deep breath, and slowly let it out.  Now slowly open your eyes and slowly roll to the side and sit up to end our time of meditation.

[Optional: Turn off music] [Optional:  Say: Please return your cushion to its starting place]

Closing Choose One:

Closing Affirmation Option 1 

Turn to the person to your right, look them in the eye and say "I am happy I could share this time with you and hear about your beliefs."

 Closing Prayer Option 2  
The light of god surrounds us
The love of god enfolds us
The power of god protects us
The presence of god watches over us
Wherever we are, god is and all is well!