There are many forms of oppression and violence in society that, for reasons of culture or tradition, remain largely unexamined. Walking the path of holistic nonviolence is about questioning ALL forms of oppression and violence, seeking to better understand their common roots, and choosing alternatives. It is about being unwilling -- directly or indirectly -- to take part in violence, to profit from the harm of others, or to willfully ignore oppression. It is about refusing to intentionally take away the dignity, bodily integrity, freedom, or the life of another individual, no matter how they may differ from ourselves, be they a fellow human or a fellow animal.

Pursuing this path is not about being perfect, but about challenging ourselves to ever expand our understanding of how our actions affect others, and over time, to come closer and closer to the ideal of nonviolence toward all. It is a long term path of self-development, integrity and service. It places a special focus on respecting, advocating for, and, when possible, empowering those who are being oppressed, exploited or killed. Most importantly, it is a path based on cherishing and protecting life, and celebrating the beauty and joy we can create together.

The sections below describe three different modes of expressing holistic nonviolence, with many specific examples for each.

Commitment to ever-decreasing participation in the harm and killing of others

Some Examples:

• Refusing to take part in discussions or actions that marginalize vulnerable individuals or groups
• Supporting businesses and institutions that do not engage in racist, speciesist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, xenophobic, or other discriminatory practices
• Purchasing goods produced in accordance with fair trade and fair labor standards
• Choosing food, clothing and consumer goods that are created without using or killing our fellow animals
• Eliminating the use of bioengineered products that threaten the genetic integrity of the natural world
• Reducing or eliminating consumption of fossil fuels and other products connected with climate disruption and the destruction of our biosphere
• Refraining from supporting or participating in socially sanctioned mass violence, such as military aggression, forced migration, and wildlife killing campaigns

Commitment to nonviolently intervene in accordance with one's capacity when others are being harmed, and to work for the abolition of systemic harms

Some Examples:

• Raising awareness of nonviolent alternatives and joyfully assisting others with adopting them
• Helping members of the public understand how the victims of socially sanctioned violence are individuals with inherent dignity and worth
• Adopting language and behaviors that challenge prejudices and that express care and respect for those who are marginalized or oppressed
• Investigating, documenting and exposing injustices
• Joining with others to protest against violence, exploitation or oppression of other human beings and members of other species
• Working to liberate those who are unjustly confined or incarcerated, or being used against their will for labor, entertainment, sexual gratification, scientific experimentation, breeding, achievement of military objectives, or the production of food, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods
• Helping those who have been traumatized by abuse or violence come to safety and restore their wellbeing
• Protecting and restoring vulnerable habitat and biocommunities
• Providing aid to those whose homes are threatened or lost due to economic injustice, environmental destruction, ethnic cleansing or war
• Engaging in civil disobedience to challenge unjust policies and laws
• Educating others about threats to individual health and safety, biodiversity, and collective species survival posed by human overpopulation, greenhouse gas emissions, genetic engineering, weapons proliferation and nuclear technology

Within the bounds of one's understanding and capability, commitment to protect the integrity of the principles of holistic nonviolence, to teach alternatives to oppression and exploitation, to help heal the trauma of violence, and to expand our collective understanding of what it means to live with care and respect for all.

Some Examples:

• Fostering just and respectful forms of community, co-existence and conflict resolution
• Teaching principles of open government and grassroots democracy; exposing government and industry disruption and subversion of justice movements
• Practicing transparent leadership; confronting abusive, corrupt, and dishonest patterns of leadership
• Empowering new activists, and helping them learn how to safeguard their altruistic endeavors from cynicism, exploitation and appropriation
• Dismantling cycles of prejudice, violence and disenfranchisement
• Developing new methods of protest, investigation, legal action, healing, empowerment, reconciliation, and teaching
• Helping create nonviolent and nonexploitative art, entertainment, consumer goods, law, public policy, science and technology
• Studying the history of social movements and teaching the principles of holistic nonviolence
• Creating innovative campaigns that promote physical and mental well being, social and economic justice, and world peace
• Formulating holistic paradigms for individual moral development, social evolution, ecological restoration, and harmonious co-existence between humans and our fellow animals