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A Letter from the Institute's Executive Director
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Dear friends,
On November 10 I attended a conference on the future of nonviolence outside Washington DC, convened by George Mason University's School for Conflict Analysis and Martin Luther King III. One of the highlights was the observation (voiced by Michael Nagler) that culture drives politics. Our culture's focus on consumption, individualism and violence creates the context for how we relate to each other inside and outside politics. Each of us has the opportunity and the responsibility to increase the peace and change the world immediately around us.
- Strengthen your roots and know what grounds you, because there is no such thing as selective numbness. We need your best self.
- Come from gratitude: remember, there are parts of your life that would be a dream come true for another person.
- Offer feedback to let others know they matter and to strengthen your ability to speak truth in more challenging moments.
- Engage your moral imagination and educate yourself about others' perspectives, especially when they differ.
- Imagine the future in terms that are not restricted to our lifetimes.
This comes with love to each of you from all of us,
Kit Miller
for the Gandhi Institute
P.S. Requests for workshops and support of various kinds have increased in recent weeks. Please support our work as generously as you are able by donating to our annual appeal today.
To catch a glimpse of our work and what you are supporting, check out the link on the right to a recent interview with Gandhi staff member Hoody Miller.
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Tonight Nov. 29 at 10 pm-11pm EST
Give $10 at 10
Donate TONIGHT 10-11pm EST to increase our chances of winning a bonus!
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Zen Meditation Group
Mondays
5:00-5:45 pm
Gandhi Institute Meditation Room
Each Monday from 5:30-6:15, we will meet in the meditation space and practice the healing art of zen meditation. If you're looking for stress reduction, clarity, better focus, and more, you're welcome to join us and learn how to meditate.
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Saturday Dec 10, 2:30-5:30 pm
Gandhi Institute Conference Room
Due to popular request, the Institute is continuing our series exploring hate, how it shapes our cultures and identities, and what we can do to combat it.
Join Gandhi Institute director Kit Miller for an afternoon dedicated to exploring this seldom discussed topic through a variety of perspectives and traditions. 
Contact Meghan (meghan@gandhiinstitute.org) to register.
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Gandhi Institute Highlights
Talita Belletti
Volunteer from Brazil
Talita, a visiting psychologist from Rio, Brazil, has been volunteering at the Institute for the past couple of months. Kit inspired Talita to visit the Institute and expand her Nonviolent Communication (NVC) work. In Brazil, she works with couples and families and facilitates NVC practice groups for couples. After attending various Rio NVC groups in the last 4 years, she became interested in seeing how the Gandhi Institute utilized NVC to a different level in the community and schools. She wanted to learn how to apply this philosophy in a practical and systemic sense and then bring that knowledge back to Rio.
Besides facilitating the Institute's recent NVC series and the upcoming NVC movement workshop, Talita has been assisting the social justice teacher at Douglass. She assists with conversations, lesson design, problem-solving student behavior, and consultation.
Jacqueline Tran
Gandhi Institute Intern
Jackie is local to Brooklyn, NY and is currently studying Anthropology and Women's Studies at the University of Rochester. In the future, she plans to work in non-profit work surrounding water conflict in the Middle East. A strong advocate for nonviolence and believer in the seemingly far-fetched vision of world peace, Jackie sought an internship with the Gandhi Institute in order to familiarize herself with non-profit work as well as situate herself with an organization that closely aligned with her personal beliefs in regards to conflict resolution. Using the knowledge acquired from her time at the Gandhi Institute, Jackie will be furthering her experience in non-profit work next semester in Amman, Jordan.
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all day
12/2
10:00am-4:00pm
5:00pm-9:00pm
12/3
10:00am-2:00pm
12/5
5:00pm-5:45pm
12/12
5:00pm-5:45pm
12/14
7:00-9:00pm
12/15
6:30pm-9:00pm
12/19
5:00pm-5:45 pm
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Gandhi Institute in the News:
WROC-TV // 11.23.16
Patti Singer & Sarah Taddeo
Democrat & Chronicle // 11.13.16
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Creating Peace in Troubling Times:
A 10-Week Webinar
Saturdays 1:00-2:00 pm
Each Saturday from 1-2 pm, Kit Miller and Thomas Stokell will be hosting a webinar series exploring internal and external conflicts, transforming suffering, leading groups with trust and creativity, and more!
To register for this free series, click here!
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The Holidays Are Just Around The Corner!
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Nonviolent Communication Movement Workshop
Dec. 14
7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Join us at the Gandhi Institute for a learning opportunity of self-expression through movement combined with the concepts of nonviolent communication.
Contact talita@gandhiinstitute.org to register.
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Giving & Receiving Thanks
The Institute is involved in so many areas of nonviolence education. Here are a few pieces of gratitude from various workshop, university, and series participants!
"Let's Talk About Hate" Workshop:
"The setting and conduct of the "Let's Talk About Hate" workshop made me feel comfortable and secure. I say that as a strong introvert who really dislikes dealing with a bunch of strangers in an unfamiliar place.
I am new to the study of nonviolence, but the workshop built nicely on what I have learned so far. I do not recall if it was ever stated as succinctly as "return love for hate," but certainly the medicine for hate that the group developed was loving actions. The group also brought up the importance of working on yourself first. Standing up to hate is hard, and if you are not firm in your foundations you will not be successful.
The workshop was time well spent. Thank you for providing the opportunity to attend." - Bill Wilkinson
University of Rochester Workshop:
"Thank you for such a wonderful workshop. It was beautiful and intellectually and spiritually inspiring. I was riveted!" - Leila Nadir, Professor
Nonviolent Communication Series:
"I had no idea about the positive consequences of conflict before starting this class. For me, conflict had only been something to avoid in the hope of preserving the stability of my relationships.
However, through the class, I became aware of the many benefits not only of following my feelings into conflicts and the many wonderful, previously unimaginable results, but I also became more comfortable being vulnerable. Thank you again for the incredible experience and transforming relationships!" - Dan Esler
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Spit and Share: Not Your Everyday Cypher Series
January 9, 6-8 pm
Gandhi Institute Conference Room
Local youth will share writing, art, and music on contemporary issues which will be followed by a crowd reflection on the thoughts, feelings and conversation each piece evokes.
The purpose of this program is to facilitate a space in which people can release anxiety with art and sincere fellowship.
Snacks, music, and love are guaranteed to be provided!
ALL are welcome!
If you are a local youth under 25 who is interested in sharing a piece, contact Christina at christina@gandhiinstitute.org.
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