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The Third Harmony: Nonviolence and the New Story of Human Nature
In the latest fruit of a brilliant career, Michael Nagler argues that nonviolence--not just as a tactic but as a way of being--is the only way to unite deeply divided people and enable progressive movements and leaders of all stripes to fulfil their promise and potential.
So many of the problems that beset us--war, poverty, isolation, and the climate crisis--have their roots in an old story about the universe: we are purposeless matter in a random void, and scarcity, competition, and violence are inevitable. Citing the convergence of modern science and the essence of the world's wisdom traditions, Michael Nagler argues for a new story: the universe is conscious and purposeful, humans are spiritual beings, and cooperation and collaboration are our natural way of interacting. This "new story" has had other champions, but Nagler is the first to realize that a piece is missing. For the new story to take hold, we have to embrace nonviolence, not only as a social change tactic but as a way of life.
Nonviolence is the only power strong enough to "move the heart" toward this deep and revolutionary change in worldview. Nagler refers to this as the "third harmony," which is the harmony within and among us to resolve the crisis of the human image. Calling on us to realize the urgency of nonviolence for resolving our personal and collective problems, Nagler focuses on how to shift to our story on a personal, everyday level and then integrate it into the very foundations of our understanding of humanity and community, for our sake, for the sake of future generations, and the sake of nonviolence itself.
So many of the problems that beset us--war, poverty, isolation, and the climate crisis--have their roots in an old story about the universe: we are purposeless matter in a random void, and scarcity, competition, and violence are inevitable. Citing the convergence of modern science and the essence of the world's wisdom traditions, Michael Nagler argues for a new story: the universe is conscious and purposeful, humans are spiritual beings, and cooperation and collaboration are our natural way of interacting. This "new story" has had other champions, but Nagler is the first to realize that a piece is missing. For the new story to take hold, we have to embrace nonviolence, not only as a social change tactic but as a way of life.
Nonviolence is the only power strong enough to "move the heart" toward this deep and revolutionary change in worldview. Nagler refers to this as the "third harmony," which is the harmony within and among us to resolve the crisis of the human image. Calling on us to realize the urgency of nonviolence for resolving our personal and collective problems, Nagler focuses on how to shift to our story on a personal, everyday level and then integrate it into the very foundations of our understanding of humanity and community, for our sake, for the sake of future generations, and the sake of nonviolence itself.
- GenresPhilosophyNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2020
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51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 14, 2020
This was a little hippy-dippy for me. Professor Nagler is attempting--as best he can--to put into words the inchoate fields of quantum physics, mirror neurons, and cooperative evolution. This is out there, edge-of-the-known stuff, so it read a bit New Agey for my tastes, but I did like the parts about the science behind nonviolence. Nagler is a good man, and his MettaCenter in Petaluma, CA is awesome. I loved This was just a bit too far out there for me. I skimmed some of it.
August 24, 2023
Read as a member of the discussion group, created and led by some serious students of Nagler.
I had trouble following the logic. The science behind the reasoning seem to suggest that this author propounds the idea of intelligent design. We are all one with the universe and by our very natures are non-violent beings. I call BS.
I enjoyed the thoughts of the discussion group, but the book not so much.
I had trouble following the logic. The science behind the reasoning seem to suggest that this author propounds the idea of intelligent design. We are all one with the universe and by our very natures are non-violent beings. I call BS.
I enjoyed the thoughts of the discussion group, but the book not so much.
June 24, 2023
This should be required reading for every human being.
October 30, 2024
Loved this book. Changed my life. Changed my perspective on others. Peace. Love. Nonviolence.
December 23, 2022
I enjoyed this book, "The Third Harmony", just as I did other books written by Michael Nagler. His writings reminds us who we truly are - that we are ordinary human beings with extraordinary power within. Nagler elegantly takes on the huge challenge of reversing the dominant narrative (or "story") of our society, which tells us that we are separate, that human beings are violent, and that we thrive by dominating others. Especially in times like today where there seems so much chaos and uncertainty, this book delivers a welcome message of hope and optimism, backed by spiritual wisdom and modern science. I highly recommend this book particularly to those who work for social justice, but it would be a great read for really anyone.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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