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. 

Breathe Out Hope

The opening ceremony for the 2021 4 Corners Festival with poetic contributions from John Paul, Raquel McKee, Pádraig Ó Tuama, and Jonny Fitch.

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."

The Challenge of Peacebuilding for Ex-Prisoners and Ex-Combatants

A conference paper that shares key themes about the challenges of building peace and the role and challenges in particular for ex-prisoners and ex-combatants in settings of protracted conflict.

Spirituality and Religious Peacebuilding

A chapter exploring the meaning of quality of presence rising from spiritual resources that facilitate the practice of religious peacebuilding in protracted conflict.

Reconciliation: In Theory & In Practice

A panel discussion hosted by ConnexUs discussing themes pertinent to reconciliation both generally and specifically in the contexts of South Africa, Colombia, and Nepal.

The Art and Soul of Building Peace

A dharma talk shared with the Upaya Zen Center on the moral imagination and connectedness with self and other.

The Ingredients of Social Courage

A conversation with Krista Tippett and America Ferrera at the inaugural On Being Gathering, exploring the ingredients of social courage and how change really happens in generational time.

How the United States Can Step Back from the Brink

A message co-written with Melanie Greenberg in the lead up to the November 2020 elections in the United States offering ways to deescalate and counteract mounting polarization in the country.