Violence On The Street: How To Be A Good Activist

There is a lot of anger on our streets these days, against healthcare, racism and Afghanistan, which made us consider what is most effective: resistance or pacificsm? Activism is dedicated to fighting injustice and bringing about social change, but is angry activism really effective? Is activism different if it arises out of a contemplative and compassionate response rather than an irate reaction?

"Back in the eighties, I was an activist for a bunch of different organizations, but I was a horrible activist because all I did was project my rage," yoga teacher Seane Corn told us. "I was the one with a soapbox and mega phone telling everyone how to live their lives. But it didn’t serve anything. Rage just pushes away; it is a threatening energy that alienates, but the world changes by embracing, not by pushing away.";

The fire of fury may stimulate our motivation, but it cannot keep us going for long as anger depletes. Exhaustion is the inevitable downside. As Insight Meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein says: “For many years, I taught many retreats for environmental and social activists and one of the major issues for people who are engaged in such action, often in the front lines of conflict, is energy burn-out. This is because the work is often fueled by anger at conditions of inequity and injustice, but anger is unsustainable. It is a motivation that literally burns us up. Compassion is a much more sustainable energy. It can motivate a lifetime of active social engagement.”

Where anger may be an initial motivation for protest, it does not often bring about the changes that are desired. Rather, it invariably creates more negativity. Anger is exclusive and calls for further exclusivity, rather than being inclusive and, therefore, working toward wholeness. Conversely, the more we give, the more we get to give with. There is no time where we run out of compassion.

Meditation is essential to this process, as it enables us to see the fruitlessness of anger. Then activism informs us of when and how best to use anger, rather than being used by it. Rama Vernon had to learn this lesson when she was dealing with the KGB:

 “There may be moments when we need to use anger, but it is not the same thing as being angry," Rama told is. "I have used anger with the KGB, as it was the right thing to do at the time, but I was responding with anger, not reacting. If we react with anger, it can actually fuel a situation and we become part of the problem instead of the solution. We can create change through anger, but we cannot create transformation through anger. The change will always revert back to something else. Meditation creates clarity of mind, and when we have clear thinking, our actions are more focused and we have greater power. If our minds are scattered, then whatever actions we take will only cause confusion.”

We usually think of activism as being against something, whether it be war, torture, or dictatorial government, whereas contemplative activism is being for something, such as fairness, freedom, and peace. Being for something shifts us from maintaining the negative to supporting the positive.

 “In my youth, I was fueled by anger," says international peaceworker Rabia Roberts. "Then I worked with Martin Luther King in the civil rights movement for three years. What I learned from King was the beginning of nonviolent activism, that we are not here to defeat or hurt anyone, but to reveal the injustice that exists in the situation and see if we can come to a greater understanding. Like activism, meditation wants to reveal the reality behind the illusion. You begin to realize soldiers are not necessarily heroes but are victims. In the nonviolent worldview, there is no blame; you can hold someone accountable but there is no blame for what is happening. If you are full of aggression and agitation, all you are doing is adding that negativity to the mix. That is why war cannot bring peace.”

Meditation is also essential as it expands our awareness beyond our self-centered view. “First yoga changed my body; then meditation changed my attitude," continued Seane, who is featured in our book, BE THE CHANGE, below. "Then I realized that whether my practice was fifteen minutes or four hours was irrelevant because it was not about how yoga can change me, but how I, through this practice, can begin to change the world."

We would love to hear your comments, below. You can receive notice of our blogs every Tuesday by checking Become a Fan at the top.

You can pre-order a copy of our book at: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World. It will be published Nov 3.

****

Ed and Deb Shapiro’s new book, BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You And The World, forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors such as Marianne Williamson, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Beckwith, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jane Fonda, Jack Kornfield, Byron Katie, Seane Corn, Rama Vernon and Rabia Roberts, will be published Nov 3 2009 by Sterling Ethos.

Deb is the author of the award-winning book YOUR BODY SPEAKS YOUR MIND. Ed and Deb are the authors of over 15 books, and lead meditation retreats and workshops. They are corporate consultants, and the creators of Chillout daily inspirational text messages on Sprint cell phones. See: www.EdandDebShapiro.com

 

 

Follow Ed and Deb Shapiro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/edanddebshapiro

Comments

[MrsManarlican]

I can absolutely relate to this article! I tend to sit in the fence regarding politics and spirituality. The one thing I hear from both sides (liberal and conservative) is that they feel the other side isn't listening to them, that they are not being understood and they are angry. Liberals feel that they have had conservative ideology rammed down their throats for too long, and in their anger they are tuning out and failing to listen to the underlying message which is that we are all saying that something is broken. On every level we are failing to act on that fundamental agreement. The anger arises when we disagree on solutions, this is where it is crucial that we drop the labels for one another and open our hearts and minds. We read something from a conservative, and just because that person is a conservative we pick apart their statements, criticize and show lack of compassion, yet turn around and ask for their compassion for ourselves! I've read a few comments from people who also comment on your posts, and while they are peaceful little souls here, they are full of anger, hatred, and intollerance in their comments on other posts. I am guilty of the same. Perhaps we should end our comments with "who disagrees with me? How can we come to an understanding?" The one who most disagrees with me is the one most in need of my understanding, compassion, and peaceful discourse.

[Gnrshrtd]

In my years, and they are piling up, my experience is that when anger generates action that is directed outward, intending to correct an injustice, and that action is blocked repeatedly or harshly or violently - that the anger turns to frustration and ultimately turns inward, which can be very self-defeating (and depressing). I can see it as a behavior in my past and how damaging it was, and to be honest it remains a challenge. Being aware of it helps. Your piece was a helpful reminder.

As many people have responded, I too have read many of your pieces and similar ones, and was at a loss to understand how to confront injustice when it uses the tools of anger and violence. Yours and the many comments here have been helpful in understanding that your message is not to be passive, but to engage with intention.

My Thanks

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Gnrshrtd this is a wonderful comment .. kind thoughtful and compassionate

as HH the Dalai Lama always says ... we all want happiness and we all deserve happiness ... certainly by causing suffering we don't benfit in anyway.

When we see injustices in the world we may want to act genuinely to remove or get rid of that. but what is required is skillful means.

How can we act with wisdom and compassion and not be a flake? How can we act with inner strength and help change things? How can we defeat the enemy in a peaceful way?

Gandhi did it the Dalai Lama won the Noble Peace Prize did it through Ahimsa non-injury. The greatest force in life is Peace. As crazy as it sounds and as crazy as people are Peace is what keeps this world together.

Whether people are aware of it or not just imagine what and where this world would be without it? It is like an invisible force that some fortunate people are in tune with but imagine how insane we all would be without PEACE. some get it others don't but trust the inner power is peace. All people and all countries try there best to get there it is fundamental to the survival of us all.

In Peace,

Ed

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Excellent post, as always, Ed and Deb.

I think it is so valuable to take a wise look at what anger is about and how to enable it to serve in the most effective way.

Just recently, I experienced myself getting really angry about something. At the point of going into anger, I almost recognized I had a choice. Under the anger was a lot of sadness. I could have touched into that sadness and allowed a healing to take place within me.

However, I went the anger route - and it was so disturbing to me! I observed the discomfort I had given me. Then I was motivated to take some constructive action to effect the change I wanted to bring about.

Once again, another case of nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so. I have heard it said that anger is the energy for change. For me the difference is working with anger consciously so that it does serve and not disable.

With love, appreciation and blessings to you,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Anne, there is a difference between being angry about something and being an angry person.

If you are a peaceful and conpassionate person and see something or experience an injustice then being angry is natural if it is not coming from a hateful place but coming from a loving heart.

When I see a child being abused or anything that causes suffering anger can arise but I do not hold on to it or project it on to another person.

If you do feel or experience anger I don't make a big deal about it .. i just move on! breathe in breathe out and be happy .. life is too short.

Lovingly,

Ed

[Ventoi]

Tell Gwen to get ChrisMartin to get one of his roadies to carve some blocks of wood
into socially relevant puzzle pieces...

she could hand them out to demonstrators...
or people who are coming and going on K Street...

the blocks would be colour coded...
at happy hour
the politicians could get together with the social concernists

and put the puzzles together...
mixing and mingling based on which puzzle their piece belongs to...

quiet
AND
educational.

She can recyle the wood from old stages.

[vampbella09]

Thank you for this Ed and Deb!

I have always questioned the use of anger in response to anger. Anger is one of those powerful emotions that can motivate you to action but it is also an emotion that gets tangled up in the ego too easily. Unfortunately, at this current moment, anger is viewed as a generator of change when really it's love and compassion. How can anyone expect real lasting change to come through anger and violence? How can we continue to ignore the messages from the past while we are still struggling with the consequences of anger and violence? It's a vicious cycle that cannot be broken unless we break it within ourselves. Meditation, prayer, yoga in service of the greater good are the keys to breaking the cycles. We all need to get out of our heads and into our hearts. I'm really looking forward to reading your book. I'll be pre-ordering on Amazon so that I can get my copy ASAP!

[Jaywalkker]

I understand what you mean by focusing oneself and concentrating on real conscious goals as opposed to giving into the unconscious primal rage, but you see how opponents list Progressives as wishy-washy, weak, or cowardly with that?

The vocal minority has completely taken control of the debate and created real impasse despite the wants of the silent majority.

[vampbella09]

I know. It is really unfortunate that qualities of non-violence are seen as wishy-washy and weak. I strongly feel this is a consequence of the masculine dominated patriarchical society we live in. The feminine aspects of our nature like empathy and nurturing are viewed as weak, when in fact it's far more cowardly to deal with things from an anger/violence position. It's hard to accept that the only way to bring about change is to just be the change especially when there is a very vocal minority. Of course, those that are screaming the loudest are also those that are most afraid. I think the only way to help them is to show them there is nothing to fear.

[rtb61]

To be an activist be an obstructionist, disrupt their business as normal. Best way to do this, is simply sit down at a inconvenient spot (for them) interlock your arms and clench your hands and make them remove you one at a time. Nowadays due to the brutality of law 'enforcement' and it's use of 'less lethal' weapons of torture, it should also likely entail the use of a cheap full face motor cycle helmet with the visor glued shut and ear plugs.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

rtb61 Love ya comment

whatevr it takes without causing suffering

People who are selfish often don't care about anyone but themselves.

What is going on in the world today is based on greed, htred and delusion.

May all people be happy,

Ed

[Kari Henley - Huffpost Blogger]

HI Ed and Deb!
I can certainly agree that the rage that I see from the conservatives towards our president, and the debate on health care, not only pushes me away, it sparks fear and rhetorical anger as well.

I wish our elected officials could read this, and remember these simple principles. No one enjoys watching pundits slamming their fists of their soapbox about killing grandma, or watching protestors threaten to harm our president.

As a society, we lose collective faith in our ability to work together. I applauded Nancy Pelosi for her willingness to name the madness, and plead for it to stop. We need leaders who show their compassion, and use that energy to draw others in,and a new era of activists who are effective, but not driven by anger.
Thanks for a thought provoking post!
Kari

[w0rld0fw0rcraft]

I disagree. Anger hatred and venom WORKS. And the stakes are way too high to be meek and polite. I'm disappointed there aren't more left-wing boors. They are the REAL passion, the REAL fire, the REAL power. They want a WIN.

[khanti]

Cool posts like this can make you all viled up. Welcome to Huffington Living.
See if I can light up more of your fuses with this sentence;

May you be well and happy!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

worldofworcraft I don't agree at all .. especially when hate is at the core!

People who create suffering are unconscious and con from ignorance .. there is no need to lover yourelf to that level

but you cn be a powerful force to stand up and say what you mean without hate and venom

they are boring and ineffective. as soon as someone cn get your goat you ose

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Kari,

I can sure understand all sorts of emotions rising in us when you see that the healthcare issue is being lied about abd the whole behavior of the Right wing is a mess and the people it would actually help have been mislead to believing it is socialism... whatever that is suppose to mean as it is no different from medicare and social security.

So with that in mind we still are best served by having compassion for the ignorance and the people who perpetuate it ..

May all people be happy,

Ed

[CR46]

Ed and Deb,
I keep thinking about this article,you guys make me do that you know :). Is this anger or passion?? Being actively passionate IS enough, but anger, while maybe an initial reason to become an activist is not enough to carry you through--you need to be passionate about whatever and where ever your anger does lead you, or it will fade and be useless. But to develop passion about something gives you unending energy to see it through.

[w0rld0fw0rcraft]

You need anger to survive. anger helps defend against cancer and repugnixcans. Its time now more than ever for righteous anger hatred and venom against the right wing. they are ENEMIES of america and a dire threat to the lives of millions.

[khanti]

Pt 1
Indeed PlanetThoughts it was in one of Buddha's previous life when he was a Bodhisattva. It was late and the gate keeper of the King's garden allowed him to spend the night there. Just happen the King's many consorts also enjoying themselves chanced to meet upon the Bodhisattva and asked are you a God or human? I am a human. There he gave a discourse of loving kindness overcoming hatred.
At that time the King also came to the garden and saw only one of his consort. Where are the rest? There are over there listening to an ascetic.

[khanti]

pt. 2
The King saw that and became jealous. I will show you that you are not a real ascetic and the
King ordered his guard to cut off the Bodhisattva's ears. Are you angry? No O King
I do not have anger towards you. He ordered the guard to cut off his nose. Are you angry with me now? No o King. Then he ordered the guard to cut off the Bodhisattva's limbs still he replied I do not have anger towards you o king. By now the guard was trembling and ask the King not to carry on the cruel deed. For the rest of the story try reading the Pali Tripitakka.

In the Buddha's discourse found in the Dhammapada are these words;

He Who bears within them enmity:
"He has abused and beaten me,
defeated me and plundered me",
hate is not allayed for them.

He who bears within no enmity:
"He has abused and beaten me,
defeated me and plundered me",
hate is quite allayed for them

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

THANK YOU SO MUCH KHANTI

what a great story what a great teaching

we are lucky we are not Bodhisattva's (only kidding) but I do like my limbs and ears (ha)

QUESTION - why can't Buddhists vacuum in corners?

ANSWER - because they have no attachments

MUCH METTA,

Jygpo (Ed) Jygme Powa

[PlanetThoughts]

There are so many terrific thoughts here. I remember reading Buddha's words, to the effect that even if someone is slicing you into pieces bit by bit, if thoughts of anger arise then you have not understood his teaching. I also remember reading Buddha's words that fighting in a just war is acceptable. How does one encompass both? I do not think that is a contradiction, but deep thought must be needed to reconcile both. There is a fairly good discussion of that topic here: http://buddhism.about.com/od/basicbuddhistteachings/a/war.htm

The level of awareness of constructive energy without destructive anger of course, the level of personal acceptance of all aggression from outside without hatred, is a challenge to reach. But we are moving in that direction with our efforts, they are all great. One day....

[w0rld0fw0rcraft]

I disagree. there are many TERRIBLE thoughts here. These are all excuses foir inaction and passivity. I can see how Bush stole the presidency twice without so much as a peep from the left wing sheep.

Talk like this paralyzes righteous anger, and righteous anger keeps you alive. Are these not critical times?

How DARE any left winger EVER show any repug right winfer anything but contempt and anger. The time now is to FIGHT.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

worldofworcraft - Thanks for your comment

You have a very significant point

anger and the like are useful at times. We are not meant to be love and lighty. Life isn't all wonderful ... it is pretty damn awful at times. But anger is like a match that can burn down a whole forest. anger without hate can be useful as long as it is coming from a loving heart. I hope you understand that?

But our attitude is vitally important .. if we are hateful then there is no difference between those that are causing suffering and us. You can punch someone in the head with love. a mother may scold her child but with love.

The Bush/Cheny regime was pathetic.. they were and are arses.. vicious bad dudes.

But we need to send them loving kindness because they are unconscious ignorant people.

May all people be happy,

Ed

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

PlanetThoughts Thanks for your comment

Love the Buddha's quote but it's not whethet thouf=ghts of anger arise as much as acting upon it.

Your true mind is transparent like the sky .. in the sky there are storms, snow, rain tornadoes but the sky is not affect by any of it ..it remains sky

whatever arises in you mind let it come and go like clouds in the sky let it pass!

The Buddha also said don't do as I say find out what is true .. what is real for yourself!

There is nothing to do .. truth unfolds like a flower when it is ready it opens.. when you go to bed at night you prepare the bed, clean the sheets but the sleep comes of it's own.

Enjoy the journey,

Ed

Come out of your mind and into your heart. The heart is the king th emind is the advisers .. the advisers come to the king with what they know but the king decides what is real

[khanti]

Anger and fear are part of our basic instinct of self preservation. The ego is the extended and expanded form of that self preservation. Out of fear of contacting a mosquito borne disease we smash it into a gel instantly without actually knowing whether the mosquito is really carrying the parasites or not. But then the ego goes further than that. It covers almost anything that it perceives as threatening. From pride to job to freedom. Fear can make us berserk like the invasion of Iraq. There were no actual threats from the Iraqis at all but fear , especially after 9/11, made people support Bush on the war. Fear came first, reasoning and much regret came later. The unnecessary invasion caused untold sufferings to people even until now for both countries.
The Buddha’s Ahimsa(non violence) which inspired Mohandas Gandhi’s march towards independence is not the same as what is practiced today. Someone asked Gandhi, if you were facing Hitler would you have used Ahimsa? Yes I would although it may be much more painful. That was his reply.
The Buddha and his disciples never organized protest of any kind. Those days there is a clear distinction between one who leads a holy life and the lay people.
Balance fear and anger with compassion. This is the message I pass to you all.
May all be well and happy.

[Shrinath]

Cont. Part 2

I cannot say it is easy. It takes quite an amount of will power to channel anger into something good. It is a constant struggle. I ask myself "why am I angry?". That does help a lot. Reason behind the anger. And how do I ensure that I do not end up being angry at a similar juncture? This is where meditation comes in. Introspection is a very good thing. Meditation can help you do that. One need not attend a swanky meditation camp to do that. Why. I don't even need to sit in a quiet place to meditate (my experience). Simply put, for me, meditation is losing my self to myself.

Life is a paradox. The big question being, "why are we here?". I don't know the answer. What I am sure of is this. Life is to be lived to its fullest. For that, once needs to be at peace with oneself.

If you are warring with yourself, how do you plan to bring about peace?

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for your comment!

Much appreciated

Deb

[Shrinath]

Hi Ed and Deb,

I have been an angry activist. I used to get angry when people would play dumb just to spite me. Sometimes it was would at an inconsiderate driver who would nearly run over a pedestrian. Or my anger would be channeled at some politician who while espousing the need for clean politics would be on the take. All of them made me angry. Very. It was quite a while that realization dawned on me that, all this while, having achieved zero tangible results I had managed to get very very angry.

Anger sometimes is good. But that cannot be sustained over a period. When it translates into rage, we are totally cut off from our senses. While angry, the hormonal balance in our body is disturbed. Immensely. That is definitely not a conducive environment for making decisions, big or small.

I do get angry. I was angry when certain radio and teevee personalities were inciting hatred. I was angry when I heard that innocent civilians were caught in the crossfire in Afghanistan. I was angry when the Lockerbie bomber was released. However, I did not stay in that state of emotion for long. I channeled it in to something else - blogging.

end of part 1. Contd.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Shrinath - I'm happy when you comment .thanks for your wisdom and thanks for sharing it with us

I am wanting to repeat it as it is significant for us all: photo

Hi Ed and Deb,

I have been an angry activist. I used to get angry when people would play dumb just to spite me. Sometimes it was would at an inconsiderate driver who would nearly run over a pedestrian. Or my anger would be channeled at some politician who while espousing the need for clean politics would be on the take. All of them made me angry. Very. It was quite a while that realization dawned on me that, all this while, having achieved zero tangible results I had managed to get very very angry.

Anger sometimes is good. But that cannot be sustained over a period. When it translates into rage, we are totally cut off from our senses. While angry, the hormonal balance in our body is disturbed. Immensely. That is definitely not a conducive environment for making decisions, big or small.

I do get angry. I was angry when certain radio and teevee personalities were inciting hatred. I was angry when I heard that innocent civilians were caught in the crossfire in Afghanistan. I was angry when the Lockerbie bomber was released. However, I did not stay in that state of emotion for long. I channeled it in to something else - blogging.

Namaste,

Ed (Mitra)

[WHATVOICE]

I loved this article. It conveys so much truth and should be widely read. It also speaks to the reason why one cannot prepare for peace and war at the same time. Thanks for the insights. - Alexia

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Alexia, Coming from you is special .. as you are a talent writer and blogger

You are a sistah ... a friend and the best darn ski partner ever

let's skiiiiiii

Ed