In this time of uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic, our world is learning more each day how connected we are to each other. For Pace e Bene, nonviolence is so much more than just a method or tactic for social change, it is also a spirituality, a way of life and a universal ethic for how we treat ourselves and one another. This is a good reminder and wake-up call as our normal routines in life begin to shift. Many of us are now experiencing these shifts, from school and event closures to simply a much more increased awareness of the virus’ impact on daily life. This week we unfortunately had to cancel most of John Dear’s nationwide book tour, at least until mid April at the moment. Nevertheless, there is still opportunity to learn and practice nonviolence.

John Dear writes in response:

“I was so sorry that my "Praise be Peace" national speaking tour had to be nearly all canceled and like everyone else I'm hunkering down for the long haul.  I encourage everyone to use this time as an opportunity to go deeper into prayer, peace and nonviolence.  Like you, I will think of it as a retreat time for prayer, study and preparation to be with the God of peace, work on my own inner peace, and get ready to do good peace work later in the year. I recommend that you read my book on the psalms to deepen your trust in the God of peace in a time of crisis and I hope you go and listen to my recent podcasts on nonviolence.  Most of all this is a time to be gentle with ourselves, with one another and practice loving-kindness and care for each other so that we get back to the streets for the Week of Action in September as even better peacemakers.“

Recently we received a reflection from our friend Jim Forest that we thought was an important message during this time as well.

Jim writes:

“My Spanish friend Cristobal Serran-Pagan, who organized a major Thomas Merton conference in Avila fourteen years ago, has written about the wake-up call aspect of the corona virus crisis:

“Is this global virus another wake-up call for humans to work together and collaborate in shared common projects for the survival of our species as a whole? My spiritual reflection on the corona virus, using Christian existentialist thoughts drawn from Thomas Merton and Camus: This pandemic is global. It is exposing the absurdity of our fragile economic systems and the shortcomings of our health care systems. We are not independent beings and nations but interdependent. Everything is interconnected. What has happened in China is just one example of this cosmic interconnectedness. It has had an impact all over the world. This virus is doing more to expose the hidden truths of life than all the politicians gathered together and speaking nonsense.

“The slowing down of the economy is bad for productivity and for profits which will lead to massive loss of jobs, social unrest, fears, anxieties, despair, and also reduced consumption of unnecessary goods. Priority will be given to food and health care products.

“This virus has shown us that we can clear air pollution and build hospitals in a matter of days when people are united and there is the will to help others, exchange information and resources with other countries, improve our health programs, etc. Thomas Merton had similar thoughts in his writings on Camus's treatment of existential plagues in the midst of our daily lives.

“This virus is forcing us to pause for a moment, to reflect, to slow down, to rethink our priorities in life, to ruminate, to resist, to never give up, to show solidarity and to make random acts of compassion to everyone, strangers included. Like in the myth of Sisyphus, the individual has the capacity to choose to keep fighting the good fight in the midst of an absurd world full of unnecessary wars and nonsense.

“Now it is the time to be more compassionate because, if not now, when? This is the kairos moment for spiritual rebirth and for choosing a new transformed way of life. Otherwise we make harmful choices, we fall back and continue to do more of the same absurd things that we have been doing, ignoring the essential needs both of humans and nonhumans.

“God is calling us to build the Earth in a more compassionate, caring, just and loving way. Each one of us is called to participate in building the beloved community. It is always a choice. We have the possibility of keeping the cosmic balance and harmony in order is to respond to the cosmic drama of life more fully. As Christians we are called to respond to the daily struggles of life with faith, hope, and above all love. Love is the answer and compassion is the solution.”

As many people face this increasing uncertain change, here are a few things you can do at home to continue your life of nonviolence.

• Read John Dear’s book, “Praise be Peace: Psalms of Peace and Nonviolence in a Time of War and Climate Change”

• Listen to John Dear’s Peace Podcast. His February episode is specifically about his book, Praise be Peace, but you can also hear topics from John on Gandhi, King, the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount.

• Take an online training. Veronica Pelicaric, the co-author of our latest study guide, Engaging Nonviolence, is organizing small-group online trainings using the book. Let us know if you are interested, email us at info@paceebene.org.

• Organize remotely for the Campaign Nonviolence Action Week. If you’re planning an action this September, meet online with friends and other activists to plan your action.

• Finally, deepen your own inner nonviolence and take care of yourself and others. This may include getting lots of sleep, eating a rainbow of veggies and fruits, exercising and getting fresh air daily, de-stress through deep breathing, prayer, yoga, meditation, walking, running, cooking, reading, and whatever else you need to do to relax.