I read an interesting article today that I’d like to share. It’s from an expert in regime change. She’s been studying what works best, and the hands-down winner is non-violent protests. The number one success indicator is how many people participate, and the number one challenge is to maintain a peaceful stance over a long period of time (and with all those people.)

It got me thinking about a few things.

One is the way we ask for things. I know that, for myself, I tend to ask for things and expect an immediate response. If I don’t get what I want then I tend to get anxious, think I’m not heard, get grouchy and lose faith. I am not real good with patience, and the idea of having to ask over and over never occurs to me.

Another thing is all the difficulties involved in getting groups of people to come together in like mind, and like spirit, and initiate action together. I’m also thinking about how important it is to practice, think things through and talk things through.

I’ve been watching resistance groups at town halls and everyone looks like they are screaming and yelling. I can definitely understand how that can happen, but I’m wondering if practicing would help get the message across better. And I’m not just talking about immediate politics here. It’s a good lesson in how we ask for things in daily life. It’s good to contemplate what it takes to manage a long-term view of sustainability. It’s really interesting to work on ways to come together with a deeper peace… and then bring that out into the world for positive change.

I know there are various groups, and techniques, and things like that out there. But I’m wondering what we can come up with ourselves. I’m thinking that if we work on something that comes from our own understanding, instead of just trying a technique, if we won’t have a more sustainable change in our own being that we can bring into the world.

After our dance camp in Lava Hot Springs in April I’d like some help in putting together groups in our communities who are committed to a new, sustainable movement towards peace. Who’s with me?

Here’s the article:

https://www.thenation.com/article/how-to-topple-a-dictator/

Love

Zareen