Satish Kumar refuses to succumb to despair, both for himself and for others.
He firmly believes that love, hope, faith, and determination are powerful enough to defeat despair. He urges us to acknowledge the harm we inflict on each other and the Earth, to feel remorse for our actions, and to choose peace and understanding as the only way to break the cycle of violence and destruction.
Resolved
Kumar understands our deep yearning for peace and through his life and writings offers us hope and the drive to achieve it. There are indeed pathways to peace, as evidenced by recent history.
For over five centuries, Ireland experienced conflict, colonization, and oppression, culminating in a war of independence known as ‘the troubles.’ This civil war was marked by extreme bitterness. Hate and fear fueled prolonged violence in Northern Ireland and Britain, making reconciliation seem impossible. The wounds ran deep on both sides.
Nevertheless, a strong desire for peace persisted among many, leading to efforts to end the conflict and bring opposing factions to the negotiating table. Now, a peace—albeit imperfect—is in place.
Peace has fostered trust and progress, achieved through the goodwill and efforts of peace-loving individuals.
Similarly, in South Africa, the oppressive apartheid system seemed insurmountable, with both sides suffering immense harm.
Peacemakers
A global conflict for liberation seemed imminent in South Africa until Nelson Mandela, a figure of peace, averted it. His release from long incarceration, his lack of resentment, and his commitment to achieving peace when it seemed unattainable, spared South Africa from immense suffering. His choice of peace, though not perfect, brought trust and progress.
These examples teach us that individuals dedicated to peace inspire others to pursue it, demonstrating that peace is possible in our time in regions like Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, and Kashmir, and that global peace and harmony are within reach.
Satish Kumar has maintained his devotion to peace, setting an example through his teachings and keeping the hope for peace alive worldwide. He recognizes, as do we, that the battle against tyranny and greed continues.
However, Kumar believes, and we are encouraged to believe with him, that war will cease, and the peacemakers will inherit the Earth, leading to a better future.
This Author
Michael Morpurgo is a children’s author with over 150 published books. He has served as Children’s Laureate and received various awards, including the Smarties Prize, the Writers Guild Award, and the Whitbread Award. Alongside his wife, Clare, he co-founded Farms for City Children.
This article originally appeared as the foreword to Satish Kumar’s latest book, Peace is Possible: Selected Works, published by Bloomsbury and available from today. Satish Kumar is part of the management team and the founder of the Resurgence Trust, which owns and publishes The Ecologist online.
