Peacefulness: Being Peace and Making Peace

This timely book offers an intelligible narrative of peacefulness. These stories not only resonate with deep human needs and spiritual longing but also inspire the reader to reimagine the possibility of global peace. In contrast to 20th century peace studies, which were often undertaken within the context of warfare and violence, this book argues that peace is the most fundamental of all human values and peacefulness an inherent human virtue and disposition, and a primary character of the universe. At the same time, it proposes that peace cannot be fully expressed as our innate state of being without it being also the structural condition of the society and vice versa. Drawing on ideas and insights from wide ranging sources, including interdisciplinary literature, wisdom in spiritual traditions, international peacebuilding practices and healing experiences of individuals and communities, the authors put forward a compelling case for lasting peace on our planet. Therefore, this book will appeal to students and scholars, peacebuilders and peace practitioners, leaders, educators and anyone who is interested in transformative understanding and practices of peace and peacefulness. Indeed, if the limit of our imagination is the limit of our future, then the hope here is that the book and its narrative will put wings on our shared vision for a truly peaceful and flourishing world.