This book is being published posthumously, as Sat Santokh, who worked on the manuscript for many years, died in February 2024. His life’s mission was to help bring an end to war and child abuse by addressing their root causes. Yes, a tall order, yet his broad vision, penetrating insight, and sincere intention gave moral impetus to his endeavors that resounds powerfully in this unmoored time.

A Note to our Readers

Part I

We hope you will be able to sense Sat Santokh’s presence in this narrative chronicle of his life of inquiry, discovery, and service. He poured himself into writing it, and, we believe, has offers here new insights in the lineage of Alice Miller and other pioneers in understanding the pervasive impact of child abuse in its many forms across history, cultures, and generations. Though his contribution is unique, we also acknowledge the exemplary work of Rabbi Tirza Firestone, Thomas Hübl, Peter Levine, Gabor Maté, and other exemplars in this field.

This book explores the connections of child abuse, and its resultant trauma, with systemic violence, including misogyny, racism, xenophobia, and warfare. Drawing on his extensive experience as a peace and social change activist, yogic teacher, healer, and decades of leadership working with individuals and groups, Sat Santokh presents both analysis and practical approaches for healing personal and collective wounds to help create a more peaceful world.

The narrative unfolds across four interconnected Parts. First, the fundamental nature of childhood abuse and its traumatic ripple effects through individuals and societies are explored. This understanding then deepens through examination of historical patterns that have normalized violent treatment of children. Second, we look inside Sat Santokh’s understanding of the deep and lasting wounds that child abuse can imprint in the body and psyche of those affected, and the unique healing process that he developed to address them. Third, Sat Santokh’s vision for Creating Our Future, the youth leadership group he founded, and practical methodologies for addressing healing and social change are presented. Fourth, we follow the author's personal journey of transformation from peace activist to spiritual teacher to healer of the inner wounds that impair our lives.

All together, the many aspects of Sat Santokh’s overall work weave into a compelling life story of love and service and a comprehensive approach for addressing child abuse and individual and collective trauma to help create a more positive future.

We who knew and love him feel blessed to have enjoyed his deeply caring, generous, and cheerful friendship, his well-won wisdom, and the grace with which he moved through the world. He was a brilliant and dedicated soul who integrated an array of gifts, strengths, and talents that have led to the book you hold, which we feel offers a profound contribution to both the literature on child abuse and to our culture at large.