Nonviolence isn't the science of understanding conflict. Nonviolence isn't a science any more than violence is a science. They are both ways of being. Playing on sports teams comes to mind as an experience in which I realized the effect of interdependence before having a real belief in it. Our interconnectedness and intereffectiveness were obvious on a team. The team is bigger than the individuals. Players sacrifice to the team and create the team, and the team carries the players. What helps me nurture beloved community is knowing that we are part of one entity, one action -- we are in this together, we sink or swim together -- what I do for the team I do for myself and what I do for myself I do for the team. It is best for me to nurture beloved community and it is best for the community for me to be loving. All this is true for every system, be it a friendship, a marriage, a family, a team, a nation or the world. If you believe it or not, it's the way if is.
On Feb 16, 2019 David Doane wrote :