Humanity stands at a critical crossroads. Social, political, religious, economic, and environmental systems are unraveling with bewildering rapidity all around us. In the face of such disintegration many of us feel helpless, despondent, angry, and anxious. Such feelings pose the greatest danger of all, as they lead to a loss of hope and a paralysis of will at a time in our collective evolution when inaction can be catastrophic. The Alchemy of Peace offers the gift of hope and a viable path out of the current chaos. It identifies a set of dysfunctional habits borne of tired old perspectives, false assumptions, limiting beliefs, and interpretations on the basis of which we make choices about how to behave. It posits that replacing these mindsets and habits with more constructive and empowering ones will open our eyes to new opportunities growing out of the ferment of our troubled times. A vision of the possibilities to create a better future will reinvigorate us with hope. Once we are equipped with this necessary energy, we will be able to harness the power of free choice to work tirelessly to achieve the world we want and deserve-a peaceful world in which we can focus on actualizing our individual and collective potential.

Introduction

1. Where We Are Now

Typical Reaction to Crises

Old Mindset 1: Humans Are Evil by Nature

Old Mindset 2: We Are Victims of Uncontrollable Events and Purposeless Suffering

Old Mindset 3: Humanity Has Irrevocably Failed

Our Current State: Hopelessness and Inaction

2. Reframing Our Mindset: The Peace Alchemy Method

The Maturation Analysis: Humanity's Transition from Adolescence to Maturity

The Phoenix Effect: Parallel Processes of Disintegration and Integration

The Role of Suffering

The Opportunity Advantage: Recognizing the Possibilities for Growth Inherent in Our Temporary Failures

3. Mindsets and Habits

What Is Mindset and Why It Matters

Replacing the Habits That Keep Us from Peace

4. The Power of Choice

5. Shifting Our Collective Mindsets and Habits

Old Mindset 4: Globalization Is to Blame for Our Troubles

Old Habits of Isolationism, Xenophobia, Tribalism and Polarization

Old Habit of Nationalism

Taking Stock of Where We Are

Reframing Our Mindset: The Oneness Model

Choosing a New Habit: Building A System of Global Governance

Old Mindset 5: The Ends Justify the Means

Old Habit of Expediency

Accepting Where We Are

Reframing Our Mindset: The Consistency Rule

Choosing A New Habit: A Principled Approach to Addressing Global Challenges

Old Mindset 6: We Cannot Trust People in Positions of Authority

Old Habit of Electing Unfit Leaders

Accepting That Power Resides in the People

Reframing Our Mindset: The Leadership Shift

Choosing a New Habit: Electing Leaders on the Basis of Qualities, Motives, and Record of Service

Conclusion: Choosing New Mindsets and Habits Will Lead Us to a Lasting Peace

Notes

Bibliography

Index