The Metta Center was established in 1982 at the suggestion of Sri Eknath Easwaran, a world-renowned meditation teacher, with the mission of addressing the problem of violence in society and furthering understanding of nonviolence. Originally named the Marin Experimental Teaching, Training and Advising Center, the Metta Center has undertaken a variety of projects during the last 20 years, including publishing the Gardenia Journal of Nonviolence, advocating for the release from jail of Badshah Khan (Muslim nonviolent leader and close friend of Mahatma Gandhi), and supporting efforts to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Until recently, all Metta Center projects were initiated and conducted by dedicated volunteers. In 2006, the receipt of donations enabled us to hire staff and establish an office, thereby creating the infrastructure to further develop and expand our services. Metta Center is now entering a time of dramatic growth and creativity with a team consisting of a minimal paid staff plus a larger network of volunteers functioning collaboratively under the guidance of Metta Center’s Board President and Co-founder Prof. Michael Nagler, a world renowned Gandhian scholar and professor emeritus at University of California, Berkeley.