For a Step-by-Step Training for Healing Conflict and
Spreading Peace in Your Life, Your Community and Our World
Unleash your ability to create peace wherever you go with this comprehensive, proven method and powerful step-by-step peacebuilding system.
The violence and suffering is beyond comprehension – Syria; Iraq; Afghanistan; Newtown, Connecticut – to name but a small handful of recent conflicts and tragedies.
And what about the conflicts that aren’t played out in war zones or high government offices, but hit much closer to home?
These are the petty family arguments, the words unspoken at work, the digs you intentionally or unintentionally inflict upon your partner (or vice versa), the internal strife over a decision you need to make...
Is peace just a pipe dream? When will the violence and injustice end?
And when do we stop the wars going on in our own minds?
For all of your deep concern about our world and your efforts to make a difference, peace can still seem like an impossible dream.
What can you really do to affect change – both within the larger world and in your own everyday life – and truly become an evolved leader?
And how do you synchronize the work of inner and outer peace – the work of transforming yourself as you participate in transforming societal aggression, violence and polarization?
With the Cultivating Peace Method developed by peace visionary and pioneer James O’Dea, you’ll discover the tools to build lasting peace in your community, non-profit organization or church, professional life, or school; or simply resolve conflicts in your own family – and the ones in your own head and heart.
In 7 weeks, you’ll learn a new roadmap and a new manifesto for peacebuilders – tools that can literally change your life.
You’ll discover how to be a powerful healer of wounds and builder of bridges – and create tangible, measurable change both personally and globally.
O’Dea’s method is based on his new book Cultivating Peace: Becoming a 21st-Century Peace Ambassador, which when released achieved the #1 ranking from Amazon in International, World Politics and Violence in Our Society categories.
The Cultivating Peace Method can be applied to virtually every interaction and situation in your life. Ultimately, you will experience the deep satisfaction (that includes peace in your own heart) of knowing you’re part of a larger wave of peace and that your efforts, regardless of how local or "small" do matter!
The tools you’ll learn during this course can also have a powerful domino effect. Conflict, resentment, and violence-based communication and behaviors fall away, and peace and compassion arise.
Discover a tried-and-true toolkit for spreading peace, and realize your dream of a new world for all people
With the Cultivating Peace Method, you’ll receive a proven toolkit that you can tailor to your own peacebuilding efforts and audience.
James O’Dea carefully weaves science, activism, spirituality, psychology and systems theory together with skill-building work in a way that will give you both knowledge, understanding and expanded capacities to be a peacemaker.
You will be spiritually rewarded, emotionally challenged and intellectually sparked by this course!
This Method has proven to be equally effective resolving neighborhood disputes and facilitating healing in war-torn regions such as Rwanda, Israel/Palestine, and Northern Ireland, where O’Dea has worked with opposing sides to build peace.
James O’Dea has a vision: 10,000 peacemakers on the front lines, spreading peace in their workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, communities and worldwide.
You can be one of them!
You don’t have to go to Rwanda or Syria to be a peacemaker. There are opportunities for you to cultivate and spread peace right where you are.
Plus, becoming a peacemaker will arm you with skills that make you more valuable to your clients, employer or community.
You may not put this course on your resume – or maybe you will! – but when you start bringing these tools into your interactions, the people around you will see the value you bring.
This course is an opportunity to become a true cultivator and evolved leader of peace, and make a significant impact on spreading peace in our world.
What You’ll Discover in 7 Weeks
Week 1: Activating Your Inner Peace Inventory System (Feb. 20)
As the Dalai Lama says, “Without inner peace it is impossible to have world peace.”
So, your journey in Module 1 will begin with your own inner world inventory, which you’ll expand into an external worldview inventory.
Developing a mapping process of your beliefs and values will provide the foundation for you to spread peace in this new and very different kind of peace movement.
In this session you will:
- Get to the heart of your personal core belief systems and values
- Discover how to help others share their core belief systems and values and understand how belief is truly the rudder of change
- Examine unsustainable worldviews that lead to war and violence and broader systemic breakdown and outline the emerging worldviews that contribute to creating a planetary culture of peace as well as learn how to express this to others in a helpful, productive format
- Get a clear overview of the movement from one set of beliefs to another set, which fosters cultures of peace.
Week 2: Becoming a Creative Peacebuilder AND a Sacred Activist (Feb. 27)
There is a dynamic relationship between the inner and outer experiences of life. You mirror peace from the inside out.
So a necessary aspect of skillful peacebuilding is synchronizing BOTH as you learn to participate in transforming societal aggression, violence and polarization.
The central theme of this module is how you can sustain creative peacebuilding and become a healthy and generative sacred activist who models the changes needed for social transformation and conflict resolution.
In this session you will:
- Develop a clear understanding of how our spiritual, psychological, and emotional field determines how skillfully you reflect peace and transform aggression and how you can effectively share this concept with others
- Familiarize yourself with important contributions of the new science to understand how to synchronize inner and outer, and communicate these concepts with others
- Learn how to sustain creative peacebuilding in a balanced way and how to guide others in this process
- Learn how to model the changes needed for social transformation and conflict resolution and in turn teach others to model the changes in themselves.
Week 3: The Social Healing Toolkit (March 6)
Without healing, there can be no peace.
In Module 3, you’ll learn about the emerging field of social healing pioneered by James O’Dea. This is the time for you to explore the effects of the wounds of society on the individual, and learn proven methods for healing both.
In this session you will:
- Discover key features of the emerging field of social healing and how to frame its new insights for others
- Examine wound attachment and the transmission of wounding between generations
- Explore perpetration from the perspective of wounding and psychological scarring
- Build on your understanding of worldview formation in Module 1, and address moving from right/wrong paradigms to wounding/healing frameworks
- Clarify the dynamics of forgiveness, the reconciliation process and restorative justice
- Explore how to teach peace through transformational stories of truth, reconciliation and forgiveness
Week 4: Mastering the Essential Communications Skills of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution (March 13)
In this session you will:
- Discover an in-depth treatment for using listening as a tactical and surgical tool of peacebuilding
- Break down listening skills for engaged and constructive communication so that you can guide others through this process
- Learn how to create conditions for compassionate listening and review six distinct modes of listening essential for any peacebuilder
- Review guidelines for non-violent communication, addressing the needs of hostile communicators and how to conduct self-care in hostile environments
- Explore how to teach these aspects of peacebuilding in experiential formats, allowing people to practice the skills being taught
Week 5: Tapping the Collective Intelligence to Build Peace (March 20)
Dialogue is the cornerstone of peacebuilding and social healing; its many facets can be practiced and learned.
Through suspending polarizing judgment and holding deep space, emotionally charged experiences can be effectively shared in safe environments.
In this session you will:
- Discover how to tap into fields of collective intelligence and guide others in listening with both heart and mind
- Review different dialogic formats such as council, conversation, appreciative inquiry, consensus and deep dialogue – the tools for the peacebuilder in you and those you may guide
- Learn how to link effective dialogue and communication with new perspectives on energy mastery and how to guide others in this process as well
Week 6: Discovering the Essential Role of Whole Systems Thinking in Peacebuilding (March 27)
It’s vital to understand the basic concepts of whole systems thinking and frame its relationship to peacebuilding.
This approach allows you to tie in all of our work so that integrated worldviews, healing perspectives and holistic thinking are part of a consciousness shift, which can manifest in whole system changes.
In this session, you will:
- Discover the 12 Simple Rules for Systems Thinking developed by a Washington think tank
- Examine case studies related to whole systems thinking
- Build on these concepts and learn how to teach the basics of whole systems thinking
Week 7: Expressing Your New Peacemaking Skills
(April 3)
Your final class will summarize all the tools and strategies you’ve learned over the past 6 modules – with time for you to address how to cultivate peace among different audiences and in different formats.
In this session, you will:
- Discover how to integrate this road map of peacebuilding, from the inner to international, into your daily life
- Develop a personal vision of how you will embody and express peace – inner peace, personal relationships and/or community projects
- Share with classmates your commitment(s) to embodying and expressing peace
- Learn from other students’ commitments how you can approach peacebuilding in new ways
- Experience the synergy of mutual support from your fellow classmates, as together we learn to become empowered peacebuilders
The Cultivating Peace Method Bonus Collection
Bonus #1: Humanity’s Journey of Transformation & Your Exceptional Role Guest Faculty: Dr. Jean Houston)
In this special audio with renowned scholar, author and philosopher Jean Houston, she explores humanity’s journey of transformation and how it relates to you.
Jean will share how we have now come to the stage where we must partner with Creation in the deepest expression of ourselves and in the restoration of the biosphere – and build a whole new type of culture. The real work of humanity begins now.
Delve into a new knowledge of the cosmos, cross-cultural understanding, and the potential for new evolutionary direction on this exciting bonus audio!
About Dr. Jean Houston: A pioneer, scholar and researcher in human capacities, Dr. Jean Houston is the author of numerous books and the founder of a cross-cultural mythic and spiritual studies program-dedicated to empowering change agents and people around the world by teaching history, philosophy, the new physics, psychology, anthropology, myth, and the many dimensions of our human potential.
She is also the founder of training programs in social artistry, which enables leaders to extend their own development so as to more adequately deal with the social challenges of today’s world. Her specialty is in the development and application of multiple methods of increasing physical and mental skills, learning and creativity.
Bonus #2: The Power of Partnership: Building Bridges Across Great Divides Guest Faculty: Ocean Robbins
Visionary and inspiring youth leader Ocean Robbins shares with you the power of partnership and authentic leadership, as well as illuminates the crucial link between personal development and social transformation.
A younger leader with an old soul, Ocean will call on you to live in integrity with your values by learning how to build healing bridges across historic divides. This is one empowering session you won’t want to miss!
About Ocean Robbins: In 1990, at age 16, Ocean Robbins was founder of Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES!), which he directed for 20 years. He has spoken to numerous groups and facilitated hundreds of gatherings for leaders from 65+ nations.
Author of The Power of Partnership and Choices for Our Future, Ocean has served as board member for many organizations including Friends of the Earth and EarthSave. He is a 2008 recipient of the Freedom’s Flame Award and of the national Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Younger. Ocean and his wife Michele are the parents of River and Bodhi Robbins, identical twin boys born in 2001.
Bonus #3: Transform Everyday Conflicts into Everyday Peace
Guest Faculty: Susan Collin Marks
In this powerful audio session with the number two executive of Search for Common Ground, Susan Collin Marks, you’ll discover the keys to transforming everyday conflict and differences into peace and common ground.
With wisdom and humility, Susan describes her insights about peacebuilding and draws from her experiences on the frontlines of conflict-ridden regions.
About Susan Collin Marks: Susan Collin Marks is senior vice president of Search for Common Ground. She is a South African who served as a peacemaker and peacebuilder during South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy. In 2006, she launched the Leadership Wisdom Initiative at SFCG offering leadership development and one-on-one support and coaching to political, institutional and civil society leaders.
What Respected Leaders Say About James O’Dea
What James O’Dea’s Students Say
“It was an absolute thrill to stumble onto this course, with a consciousness as breathtaking as James. It is a course on the poetics of peace, practical alchemy, from someone with impeccable on-the-ground credibility. His breadth and depth and vision and passion on both the intellectual and energetic levels is deeply engaging and inspiring, and requires our individual, unblinking commitment to rising to our highest level of consciousness, from the inside out, so our very presence can enable peace in any situation.”
- Wanda Pierce, Montreal, Canada
“I found the depth and content of James O’Dea’s teaching, deeply enriching, fortifying, edifying and profound. He asks the big questions that make my mouth go dry and make me gulp. He also gave me the courage and hope to commit to both my own and world peace. Stand up and be counted. Thank you James for your generosity and clarity.”
- Kate Bell
“James O’Dea has done the work, and continues to do the work. He is a true leader in the shift to peace. Because of James, and others at the Shift, peace will occur within far fewer lifetimes than expected. I am grateful for his appearance in my lifetime.”
- Domenica
“Never before did I feel called to a course, then I felt called, to the Path of the Peacemaker.The awareness of having a full intention to be a Peacemaker, has led to a compassionate sharing of my personal truth, fully honoring the truth of the other. It has also inspired me to share helpful knowledge, in truly caring fashion with others participating in this course. In just one session, there is a sense of safety, of knowing our interconnectedness and our interdependence, that has greatly accelerated my talking my walk and walking my talk in my life. This is not a course of once a module, it is a life experience 24/7.”
– Gertrude van Voorden, The Netherlands
“I am awed that I am being so nurtured by this course, the intro talk and this first in the series are not only feeding my mind and setting out a map for me...they have also ignited much emotional movement. As if the whole of my being (my core and many seemingly forgotten pieces) is responding to the call to emerge as a peacemaker. And, with the structure of the course, the sequential process laid out from developing my authentic core to learning social/relationship paths onto systems thinking and the collective map...I am certain that I will learn much and change deeply as I participate in this course.”
- Mary Green
“James is a rare, extraordinary visionary with the power of heart and soul. His experience in all aspects of peacemaking, from personal to collective, sets our planetary path clearly and will change the course of my life.
- Kennedy
“James is so deeply profound. His voice alone transmits peace and compassion. He answers questions with deep respect for the questioner and lovingly guides to accepting within oneself, the need to own the shadow side, so that Light can be poured on it and transform anger, fear or whatever, into Love and compassion. I look forward to every single class.”
- Sophia Tiers
“The first night of the Peacemaking course was too powerful for me to put words around yet. Not particularly from anything James shared in this first talk – more I think just from who he is, and knowing I was in community with others committed to move towards the clearer and more loving space James lives and shares from.”
- Jo Pape
Join the Global Community
The Cultivating Peace Method Course is not only the most advanced form of online training currently available, it’s also a thriving global community of learning and practice.
Join your fellow students and practitioners from across the world in the live interactive conference calls or in the custom online community, to support and learn from each other while you hone your skills to fully embody your ability to create peace wherever you go and become a healing force in the world.
This international community is also at the leading edge of a global movement of people who are committed to manifesting a better world for all beings. This emerging planetary movement is rooted in an open heart and stands for the principles of mutual support, cooperation, harmony and reverence for all of life.
Here’s What You’ll Receive
Seven 90-Minute LIVE Class Sessions with James O’Dea
Experience a rare opportunity to mentor and learn with one of the world’s leading peacebuilding pioneers from the comfort of your own home. Each live class session helps you create the specific skills and abilities to fully step into your ability to create peace and transform conflict.
Seven Audio Recordings of Each Class Session
After each live class, the audio will be available to you to download in high quality MP3 format. This way you’ll never have to worry about missing a session and you can listen anytime and anywhere on your iPod, in your car and at your convenience.
Seven PDF Transcripts of Each Class Session
In addition to the high quality MP3 audios, you’ll also receive the entire class transcription in PDF format after each session is completed. This way you can review, print and highlight the most important insights and practices that you’ll learn.
Seven 30-Minute Interactive Group Practice Sessions
Following each class session there will be a live 30-minute interactive practice session, where you will be placed in an intimate group with several other participants on the conference call to interact, share and do additional practices to help further integrate the weekly lessons.
Interactive Exercises and Questions for Each Lesson
After each lesson you will then have the option to do related exercises and answer questions in order to accelerate your learning and integrate your path as a peacemaker.
Custom Online Community
Our exclusive, custom-built online community is the perfect place to continue your learning after each class. Here you can ask additional questions, interact with your fellow students and get access to additional resources to take your learning experience to an even deeper level.
"The Cultivating Peace Method" BONUS Collection (Total Value $197)
- Bonus #1: “Humanity’s Journey of Transformation & Your Exceptional Role” Audio Training with Dr. Jean Houston
- Bonus #2: “The Power of Partnership: Building Bridges Across Great Divides” Audio Training with Ocean Robbins
- Bonus #3: “Transform Everyday Conflicts into Everyday Peace” Audio Training with Susan Collin Marks
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!
About James O’Dea
James O’Dea is a well-known figure in international social healing who has conducted healing and reconciliation dialogues for 15 years. He is currently the co-director of The Social Healing Project, whose work has led him to Rwanda, Israel/Palestine and Northern Ireland. In addition to teaching at The Shift Network, he is also on the extended faculty of the Institute of Noetic Sciences and is its immediate past president.
The former Washington office director of Amnesty International and CEO of the Seva Foundation, O’Dea is a member of The Evolutionary Leaders Group founded by Deepak Chopra. One of his most recent books, Creative Stress: A Path for Evolving Souls Living through Personal and Planetary Upheaval (2010), was featured and reviewed in dozens of media outlets.
James is committed to dialogue as a practice and is engaged in dialogues at SEED Graduate Institute between native elders, physicists, and thought leaders; between Israeli and Palestinian psychologists and social workers; and contributes to dialogue on systems thinking and government policy making with the Washington, D.C.-based Global Systems Initiatives.
In August 2010, O’Dea was recognized with the honor of “Champion of Peace, Reconciliation and Forgiveness” by the Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance. James lectures and gives workshops all over the world and was a keynote speaker at the Berlin Peace Festival in August 2011. He is also an advisory board member of the Peace Alliance and just published a book called Cultivating Peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a virtual course?
A: It’s a great way to engage live teachings and each other from the comfort of your home! All you need is a phone line (or an equivalent voice service). If there is more than one person in your household taking the course, you will each need your own line. We use MaestroConference to make it just like an in-person event, where you can ask questions, participate in groups, and deepen your exploration of the course themes.
Please note that dialing MaestroConference from your phone is a regular toll call to California, and your telephone service provider will charge you according to your existing long-distance calling plan. You can also use Skype credit/subscription or Google Voice to dial in to MaestroConference, and you’ll need to use your virtual keypad to enter your PIN and to indicate that you want to ask a question. Other options include calling cards and discount long-distance carriers, and we also have a webcast which is free to use from anywhere in the world.
Q: Can I get benefit from the course if I miss the live classes?
A: Absolutely! You can download the recordings and transcripts of all course sessions from our online media archive, so you never need to worry about missing live calls. You can also engage the full community and leaders on our private community website.
Q: Can you tell me about the Private Course Group?
A: We will have a private community group for all course participants on our Shift Movement that will support you in making connections with others, sharing insights, engaging in discussions, completing homework assignments and exchanging information about events and other activities that can supplement your transformational journey. You’ll have the ability to share your experiences, projects, and growth throughout the Course.
Q: Are there scholarships available for this Training?
A: Yes, we always make a certain percentage of spaces available for partial scholarships, giving preference to those in developing countries or doing important but underpaid work to which they can apply the training material immediately. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please review our guidelines, which include a link to our online application form.
Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Your satisfaction with The Shift Network and this course is our highest priority! If you find that the course is not meeting your needs, please visit our support site and submit a request at support.theshiftnetwork.com so that we can address your concerns. We offer a satisfaction guarantee for a full two weeks so that you can try out the course risk-free. The deadline to receive a full refund is before the start of the third class on March 6, 2013. Submit refund requests at support.theshiftnetwork.com with the subject "Refund request".
Q: How can I reach Customer Support?
A: Please visit our Customer Support Center, where you should be able to find the answer to your question or the solution to a problem. And if you can’t, you can submit an online request form and we’ll get right back to you.
Q: What are the benefits of telling my friends to join the program?
A: You can sign up as an Affiliate of The Shift Network and receive 20% for anyone that you introduce who registers for the virtual event. If you bring five friends into the event, you can cover your own! Register at theshiftnetwork.com/affiliate and you’ll receive a promotional link to use.
