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PDF versionWriting and peacemaking
by John Dear SJ on Nov. 22, 2011
I never intended to become a writer -- and I certainly don't claim any special talent in that department. Thirty years ago, I looked around and saw that Gandhi, Dr. King, Dorothy Day, the Berrigans, Merton and nearly all the saints from Paul of Tarsus to Therese of Lisieux wrote regularly. I naively thought that writing was a requirement of Gospel peacemaking. Remembering the old adage "The pen is mightier than the sword," I started writing -- and never stopped.
Reading through Gandhi's collected works years ago, I came upon his confession to a friend that he wrote articles and 20 letters a day and edited two national weekly newspapers because he wanted to lead others to truth and nonviolence, but sometimes, he wrote just to vent his frustration over the world's violence.
I found that helpful. He was talking about writing as a way of life. It's a tool, he said, to help us do good, spread the good word, influence others to do the good and point the way toward a better world of peace with justice. It can help us sort through our struggles, come to new clarities, express reactions to current events and encourage others to take action.
Thirty years ago, when I was 22, I started my first book, Disarming the Heart, because I was passionate about the vow of nonviolence that my friends and I were preparing to profess. I thought others might want to undertake a similar commitment; but more, I wanted to figure out what that commitment might mean for me. The experience of writing that book set me on a journey I could never have predicted. The writing helped clarify my understanding of nonviolence, which led to further insights and action, and more writing, and so forth.
Writing has become for me a way of life, part of my daily practice, part of the "action-reflection" model. For starters, I've been keeping a journal for almost every day for more than 30 years. It's a way to process and reflect on my day-to-day life, my inner struggles, my adventures and my spiritual calling.
Through the years, I've published biographies, journals, a systematic theology, scripture studies, collections of essays and my autobiography. The God of Peace grew out of my master's thesis in theology. The Sacrament of Civil Disobedience was an effort to understand the dynamic and practice of resistance, arrest and jail. Peace Behind Bars helped me record -- and survive -- my experience in jail after our plowshares action. Jesus the Rebel, my take on the life of the nonviolent Jesus, came in response to my friend Jackson Browne's challenging song, "The Rebel Jesus." Orbis Books asked me to edit collections on Gandhi and Dan Berrigan. Doubleday asked me to write Living Peace and Transfiguration. I wrote my autobiography because I had the time and energy and a strong desire to reflect on my life before I forgot the details of my adventures.
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Perhaps I write too much, but I remain passionate about Christian peacemaking. Writing helps me delve deeper into nonviolence and offers a way to share my enthusiasm with others.
I'm less certain about these NCR columns. Five years ago, NCR invited me to become one of its bloggers, and I've written a column almost every week since then. I'm not sure who reads them, or if they help, but the practice does keep me focused on the life of peace and nonviolence. I appreciate the feedback, and thank everyone for supporting this column and urge you to share it with friends. (Read the full set.)
How does one write, and why? Twenty years ago, I asked my friend Sr. Mary Lou Kownacki, a gifted writer and peacemaker, for suggestions on writing.
"You need to read Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg," she said.
The next day I went down to Telegraph Road in Berkeley, where I was living, and bought all of Natalie's books. I've been using them ever since. I recommend them to aspiring writers.
Goldberg's million-selling classic, published in 1986, let loose a tremendous wave of writing. She argues that anyone can write, that everyone should write and that all you have to do is start writing. She proposes a few easy tips to get going: "Keep your hand moving. Lose control. Be specific. Don't be logical. Go for the jugular."
In the process of urging us to write for short periods each day, she tells us to be kind. That, I suggest, was one of her original insights. It seems obvious now. She suggested that we don't need any more talented Hemingways who are so violent in their personal lives.
Be compassionate to yourself and others, Natalie advises, so that as you write, you live in the present moment of peace and your writing comes from a deep place of peace. She speaks of writing as a spiritual practice. Be kind to yourself, breathe, be at peace, love everyone and keep on writing.
"The deepest secret in our heart of hearts is that we are writing because we love the world," Natalie writes. "Let the whole thing flower: the poem and the person writing the poem. And let us always be kind in this world."
For years, Natalie has led writing practice groups and workshops in northern New Mexico. Through her other books, such as Wild Mind, Long Quiet Highway, Thunder and Lightning and Old Friend from Far Away, Natalie shares her journey from her youth in a Jewish family on Long Island to studying as a Zen student in Minneapolis to settling down as a writing teacher in northern New Mexico. She continues to travel and lecture about the writing life.
Shortly after I moved to New Mexico, I met Natalie and we became friends. She heard me speak in Taos on a panel of activists who were against the impending U.S. war on Iraq. Through her, I've been invited over the years to give Dharma lectures at Upaya Zen Center, a gorgeous Buddhist peace and meditation center in Santa Fe.
Recently, Upaya invited Natalie and me to offer a weekend retreat together on writing and peacemaking. The date is set for April 27-April 29, 2012, and we're calling it The End of War, the Beginning of Peace: The Life and Practice of Creative Nonviolence.
Along with the Upaya director and Buddhist leader Beate Stolte, we will explore the journey from violence to nonviolence, examining its different aspects in our interior lives, our interpersonal relationships (family, friends, work) and our efforts with grassroots justice and disarmament movements. I will offer reflections on these areas of nonviolence while Natalie will lead timed writing exercises for us to journal about our experiences and thoughts on violence and nonviolence. Throughout the weekend, Beate Stolte will lead us in sitting meditation in the magnificent meditation hall. We will have time for silence, small and large group discussion, and shared peace.
I think it will be a memorable weekend and invite those interested in writing and peacemaking to join us. We suggest you register soon and bring your friends. Natalie, Beate and I are excited about the weekend because we benefit from meditation, enjoy the beauty of Upaya and Santa Fe and long to move deeper into loving nonviolence. We hope others will share our enthusiasm.
The pen is mightier than the sword? Yes, I'm convinced. Anyone can be violent. Anyone can take up the sword and contribute to the downward spiral of violence and death. Just look around at the streets of Egypt and Syria; the police who pepper-spray protesters at U.C. Davis and Wall Street; the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. Look at the way we relate to one another, how we drive and what goes on in our own hearts. Violence is everywhere. Creative nonviolence, on the other hand, is much more challenging. Gandhi says it's more difficult, more interesting and ultimately, the only way to live in peace.
In April, we will take time to meditate in peace, reflect together on the life and practice of nonviolence, and journal about our experience of nonviolence. In the process, we will turn away from war and start anew on the path to peace.
Come join us! But if you can't, take time to write -- about life, peacemaking, nonviolence and your own spiritual journey to the God of peace. Writing can deepen our understanding of peace, and the God of peace, and that deeper understanding will help us all take another step forward on the road to peace.
***
John Dear's new book, Lazarus, Come Forth!, has just been published by Orbis Books. It explores Jesus as the God of life, calling humanity (in the symbol of the dead Lazarus) out of the tombs of the culture of war and death. This book and other recent books, including Daniel Berrigan: Essential Writings; Put Down Your Sword and A Persistent Peace, are available from Amazon.com. For more information, go to John Dear's website.
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Fr. Dear, Thanks for all you
Fr. Dear,
Thanks for all you have written in the past. I hope you won't discount the impact of your NCR blogs. They are frequent reminders that push me toward peace and reflections on our culture. I frequently forward your columns to family, friends, and priests in an effort to connect the Gospel message of peace and love to our real world.
TRUE PEACE AND FAITH
TRUE PEACE AND FAITH ........... Thanks, John, I concur wholeheartedly in you positive assessment of John Dear's many contributions, including the current column.
I hope he is keeping a close eye on the efforts of the pope and US bishops to help elect next November Republican candidates currrently hellbent on war with Iran, among other "unpeaceful" policies.
For more on this, please note the NCR comment and related cross links under the comment heading, "Only More Words" , accessible by clicking on at:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/nj-bishops-poverty
I, for one, read you column -
I, for one, read you column - every one. And often send them on to friends and family. You help keep me on track toward nonviolence (I'm not quite there yet, but continuing the journey) and remind me not to give in to the urge to react to violence with violence.
Thanks for all that you do.
Thank you, John! Your
Thank you, John! Your columns are always an inspiration to me. I need to be reminded that I am not alone in my passion for nonviolence.
Reading your books requires
Reading your books requires me to find someplace quiet and alone because there is so much to absorb. When I don't have time for that, these weekly columns keep me grounded in my attempt to "Be Peace." There is always food for thought and prayer offered in these little writings. The one frustrating thing about this blog is that I am introduced to more people whose writings I want to find time to read and absorb!
It is easy to get lost in reading, studying, contemplative prayer (and now writing?)and living "in my mind" that I don't have time for the active work for peace and justice that must be done. Gratefully, your writings start out in my head but settle in my heart and my heart will not rest until the love stirred there is taken out into the world.
Please, Father John, don't
Please, Father John, don't ever stop writing these columns for NCR! I value NCR's passion and mission, and yours as well. I helped you come to Charlotte to speak several years ago, and have always appreciated your writing. I can't afford to buy or read all of your books, so this column always suffices in the meantime. Thank you for making time to do so, you keep me connected to the best of Christian nonviolent action and spirituality in our beloved country.
Pax,
Rev. Dennis Teall-Fleming, Pastor
Open Hearts Gathering, Gastonia, NC
Reading your column has
Reading your column has become an important part of each week. Please know that it makes a huge difference.
Dear Father John, You write
Dear Father John,
You write about your weekly NCR column:
"I'm not sure who reads them, or if they help..."
I read them and they do help.
Thank you.
David
Father John - Thanks for your
Father John -
Thanks for your ongoing columns. I try to read each one - twice. Sometimes I save a column to read yet again. It's not much that I do - yet - but I find your columns much more worthwhile than the sermons I used to hear or not hear in church.
Thank you
Frank Parce
Dear Father, you are
Dear Father, you are frightening me!
Please, never think about giving up writing your NCR column, where I always find spiritual nourishment and support, even in my darkest hours of doubt, weariness and disgust at the state of the world. Your comments are really precious, and as I have no time to read lots of books, they feed me with the essencial message of the Gospels. I knew you some years ago from your NCR column, and I shared your thoughts with people from all around the planet: from Europe, Africa, Asia... I beg you: keep writing it!
"I'm not sure who reads them,
"I'm not sure who reads them, or if they help, but the practice does keep me focused on the life of peace and nonviolence."
I look forward to them weekly, and read them weekly. I have learned so much from them.
Keep up the good work.
I, too, Fr. Dear, read your
I, too, Fr. Dear, read your column. Please continue them...they keep me on the right track and go straight to my mailbox.
I used to write a lot...first it was for love, then for money. I never made much money doing it and then I sort of lost interest, plus, I got too busy. Things change. Maybe I can try and make your retreat...if not, I hope to make one sometime next year :)
PLEASE do keep on keeping on
PLEASE do keep on keeping on with your writing, here and wherever you can! I
notice how many write here to affirm your work - and then all the folks they pass it on to... me, too. I do own all your books - and keep inching away at reading - and also re-reading Dan Berrigan's as well - Bill Coffin, too! To me
you are all inspiration! Gratefully, In Christ, Elizabeth
p.s. I'd love to join you in NM - where can I find particulars? Thanks!
May your Thanksgiving holidays be full of bright blessings & very satisfying!
Please continue to write your
Please continue to write your inspirational column.
What do you mean you don't
What do you mean you don't claim any special talent as a writer!???
That is truly your gift from God...prophet and writer John Dear!
Never stop writing! Keep writing and connecting the Gospel of Peace and Non-violence to life today! You were born to write!
Concetta
Thank you so much for
Thank you so much for everything you have written. Over the years, again and again, I have searched out your words and felt peace and renewal . Your energy and your commitment have inspired many others who wish to live and encourage peace.You have kept the light burning for many, I am sure.
I am a recent returning
I am a recent returning Catholic, following many years of being lapsed. Just under a year ago, I returned to the church. Last Easter, my mother and I went to see you speak in Houston- the non-violent Jesus during Holy week. It was a very formative day for me in my renewal. I read your article on NCR, and I refer to your thoughts when sharing in bible study. I hope that your comment was not a reflection that you might be considering the end of that chapter in your story. Peace and thanks to you in your continuing mission.
You have a lot of people who
You have a lot of people who appreciate your posts and those people can affect others. Sometimes I think the German pacifist groups made a big mistake when they left their native country for America. Perhaps they might have acted like carbon rods in a nuclear reactor and ameliorated the wars in Europe. Then again, maybe they were needed here.
And don't let the creepy posts bother you.
Thank you so much for your
Thank you so much for your weekly article in NCR online. It so feeds me and gives me much hope to continue the peace-making, justice making journey in my own life!
I read your columns.
I read your columns.
Through them, I found out about "The Rebel Jesus", which reinforces my view that the historical Jesus was, significantly, a non-violent revolutionary.
I have not yet usefully found out about Natalie Goldberg's books, but being a slow learner is my own responsibility :-)
Father John, I pray that you
Father John,
I pray that you don't stop writing your columns. The spirit of Our Lord feeds me through your columns. They are my spiritual sustenance in a journey of justice and peace as I invite others to this fantastic banquet. Will do my best to be at the April event. Gracias, eternamente gracias.
Fr. John, I do not know what
Fr. John,
I do not know what we can do to reduce the endless hate and violence that abounds in America. I do not know what we can do to prevent the next war.
But please, do not stop your writings on these NCR pages. We need you and your philosophy of peace and peacefulness.
You are a beacon. A beacon of light and hope.
Blessings and all the best---
bob
I miss my husband's writing
I miss my husband's writing in your books
Thanks for your columns. I
Thanks for your columns. I loved this one, and would like to come to your retreat, but probably cannot. I have also started to write, in a small way, and I will continue with your encouragement in mind.
thnak you for the inspiring
thnak you for the inspiring column every week, I may not always agree but certainly your comments cause me to pause and reflect. I am often grateful that I live in Canada, not a perfect place but compared with comments I read about USA I am indeed grateful. Please continue to inspire me with your thoughts, wriitng is indeed the window to the soul. Elaine from Canada
please read for Advent this
please read for Advent this year Beyond Religion by the Dalai Lama, which is all about compassion, forgiveness, nonviolence and so much more
John, Well done. That's the
John,
Well done. That's the best commercial plug wrapped in an excellent article that I've ever seen. Your retreat will be a sell out.
I will put Natalie Goldberg's book on my Christmas list.
Do keep writing but if you have to stop some other will step into your shoes.
We are all dispensible.
God bless agus beir bua.
Kevin.
Kevin, when you write "Do
Kevin, when you write "Do keep writing but if you have to stop some other will step into your shoes. We are all dispensible." do you also say this of Mr. James Joyce, as I await eagerly the sequel to Ulysses? What does Bloom do in Ennis? How soon before Blazes dumps Molly, alone now? Is not Milly rather young to be out on her own?
The Reverend Father John Dear SJ, as we so keenly feel here in New MExico, is indispensible, and no one can ever fill his shoes, particularly not in this wojo-ratzo congregation, tightly controlled with a rigid political litmus test which favors war and the profit of war, wealth and power. Theer is none standing to replace the Reverend Father John Dear SJ, none trained, none so deep and true, standing upon the shoulders of the giants before him, such as the Reverend Father Daniel Berrigan SJ, King and Gandhi, and Cesar Chavez. There is no one to fill these grateful shoes.
Yet we do have his books and they serve immortal testament to the truth, to the Prince of Peace, the God of Distributive Justice and Nonviolence, essential ever to every Catholic shelf.
Anyway, the very Reverend Sister Joan Chittister OSB remains publishing prolifically, even now, this month and next, and we can only pray the Reverend Father John Dear SJ continue ever as well, despite silencing and oppression from Rome, from Dolan, from all who have lost our way to Peace.
Write on.
Slán agus beannacht leat
excellent peacemaking writing
excellent peacemaking writing from canada.com with the USA odd man out as always
http://www.canada.com/news/defeated+avoid+cluster+bomb/5768255/story.html
I am always grateful for the
I am always grateful for the witness, words, work and wisdom that John shares so courageously. I too love to read his reflections each week and have read many of his books. The writing is clear and comes from a place of conviction and commitment. May the spirit of justice continue to blossom and brighten his path and those of others like him who dare to follow in the footsteps of the God of peace.
Our anglo american Bishops
Our anglo american Bishops and the USA on the wrong side again. Where is the moral outcry? Our religious freedom?
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=19383
Appreciate very much your
Appreciate very much your reflection on the role of writing in your work and life, and I love Writing Down the Bones too Natalie Goldberg's approach is so empowering and encouraging. Best of luck with the retreat. It sounds fantastic.
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