befriending

the centuries wrap round us
book

the centuries wrap round us

A weaving of personal story, poetry, and contemplative writing that illustrates the brilliance of local communities and inspirational leaders whose lives illuminate how we human together better and human ourselves whole.

2025
The Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War: Surprising ideas from everyday people who shifted the cycles of violence
book

The Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War: Surprising ideas from everyday people who shifted the cycles of violence

A collection of stories, reflections, and wisdom offering insight into the challenge of facing down toxic polarization layered with violence and the surprising ways everyday people found to shift harmful patterns of violence that had lasted decades. 

2024
Varela Symposium: Transforming Conflict – From Science to Real World Applications
collection

Varela Symposium: Transforming Conflict – From Science to Real World Applications

John Paul's contributions to the Upaya Zen Center's Varela Symposium 2018, which explored the theme, "Transforming Conflict: From Science to Real World Applications."

2018
Zen Brain: Mind, Brain, Social Perspectives of Views, Values, Ethics
collection

Zen Brain: Mind, Brain, Social Perspectives of Views, Values, Ethics

John Paul's contributions to the Upaya Zen Center's Zen Brain conference in 2017, which explored the theme, "Mind, Brain, Social Perspectives of Views, Values, Ethics."

2017
Supporting Creative, Whole Peacebuilders: An Apprenticeship Program
chapter

Supporting Creative, Whole Peacebuilders: An Apprenticeship Program

A chapter weaving reflections emergent from the apprenticeship program that includes narratives from each of the four apprentices.

2016
Letter to a Young Mediator
document

Letter to a Young Mediator

A letter of wisdom and encouragement to young mediator about the craft of mediation and the inner works required to live the practice with integrity.

2015
Circles and Pollination: A New Way to Engage Conflict
podcast

Circles and Pollination: A New Way to Engage Conflict

A conversation exploring the power of presence, story, deep listening, and collective empathy in transforming conflict.

2025
Let’s Talk About Culture: Reconcile Chapter 9 Finale
video recording

Let’s Talk About Culture: Reconcile Chapter 9 Finale

The final session of a book study of Reconcile, hosted through Let's Talk About Culture, in which John Paul features as a guest.

2020
Dispatches from Nowhere Near the Promise Land: How a Peacebuilder Unlearned His Trade
presentation

Dispatches from Nowhere Near the Promise Land: How a Peacebuilder Unlearned His Trade

A lecture delivered on the occasion of being awarded the Joseph B. and Toby Gittler Prize at Brandeis University.

2019
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