The Surprising Power of Active Nonviolence

When the world feels hostile, when outrage is everywhere, and when even small disagreements seem to erupt into full-blown conflict—it’s easy to feel helpless, hardened, or just plain exhausted. In this powerful talk, my friend Matthew Legge offers a surprising, hopeful path forward through the practice of active nonviolence.

Based on his real-world experience, Matthew shows how we can stand up for what’s right without fueling more harm—finding strength not in aggression, but in clarity, courage, and connection. I really encourage you to give it a listen.

Click here to join the free Wednesday Meditations – which are open to everyone!

Talk: The Surprising Power of Active Nonviolence

Timecodes:

00:00 – The Story of Karen Ridd: A powerful example of active nonviolence in a torture center in El Salvador

03:30 – What is Active Nonviolence?

06:50 – The Evidence for the Effectiveness of Active Nonviolence

08:00 – Interconnectedness and Complex Causes of Conflict

11:30 – Simplicity vs. Complexity in Perception

14:30 – Relationships and Influence

20:00 – Why Information Alone Doesn’t Change Minds

24:50 – Relational Mindset for Nonviolence

26:40 – Q&A: Questions about Quaker practice, dialogue across political differences, and how to feel empowered rather than overwhelmed

41:00 – Creating Safety in Dialogue

43:45 – Using Common Values to Bridge Divides and Have Difficult Conversations

48:45 – Facing Overwhelm and Rage

56:30 – Working with Intense Emotions

A Meditation: Presence without Straining

When you’re overwhelmed, tense, or caught in striving—especially that inner drive to get it right or prove yourself—even meditation can start to feel like another chore. This gentle practice offers a reset: a chance to ease off the pressure, settle into your body, and reconnect with your intention—not just for your own well-being, but for the benefit of others too. Through grounding attention in sound and breath, you’ll be guided to relax, release, and return—again and again—without strain, and without needing to fix or force a thing.

Matthew Legge has worked in the nonprofit sector for the last 13 years, with a focus on helping people thrive through the full enjoyment of health, dignity, and rights. Since 2012, he has worked with Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC), the peace and social justice agency of the Religious Society of Friends in Canada (Quakers). Quakers are widely respected for their efforts to prevent war and transform conflicts, as well as their impartial support for war victims. As CFSC’s Peace Program Coordinator, Matthew has had the opportunity to learn from Quakers across Canada and in the US, Europe, and Africa. He holds a degree in Anthropology from the University of Toronto and served for six years on the board of directors of the Ontario Council for International Cooperation, where he helped develop anti-oppression strategies. Matthew lives in Toronto, Canada.