Chapter 1: An Awakening

Explores the foundational questions that shaped the authors path from peace activist to yogic healer. Examines how childhood abuse influences a range of egregious adult behaviors, perpetuating intergenerational cycles of abuse and trauma. Draws on participant experiences and research to demonstrate how corporal and emotional punishment as well as other forms of abuse constrict human potential and contribute to systemic violence.

Chapter 2: Inner Wounds

Identifies common patterns in abuse and trauma responses across family, social, and educational contexts. Examines gender-specific trauma manifestations, particularly regarding sexual trauma during puberty. Distinguishes between direct abuse and 13 circumstantial wounds, introducing contemporary research on Adverse Childhood Experiences. Explores how inner wounds create crippling beliefs that can be overcome through healing work.

Chapter 3: Self-Punishment

Analyzes the spectrum of subconscious wound patterns, using sexual assault as a case study for understanding cycles of self-punishment. Demonstrates how these patterns manifest in business, community life, politics, and society, with special attention to dynamics within privileged families.

Chapter 4: It Can't Happen Here

Examines the historical roots of abusive parenting practices in British and Germanic educational systems. Traces the connection between child-rearing philosophies and the rise of white supremacy, social Darwinism, and fascism. Explores how European immigration influenced American parenting practices and connects historical trauma to contemporary xenophobia and economic decline.

The foundation of social change presented in this book lies in understanding how childhood abuse and consequent trauma shape both individual lives and collective consciousness. These opening chapters examine the mechanisms through which early experiences create lasting patterns in individual human behavior and in society.

Chapter 5: The Work Is Clear

Examines the United States' position as the only nation that hasn't ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Details the Convention's definition of corporal punishment and discusses global progress in child protection. Envisions a children's rights movement with impact comparable to the Civil Rights and Feminist movements.

Part I: The Global Impact of Child Abuse

Part I

Chapter 6: Wound Stories

Presents firsthand accounts of trauma experiences, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, peer trauma, and circumstantial wounds. Reveals the disturbing nature of these accounts, their pervasiveness in human experience, and their role in shaping personal and societal perspectives.

Chapter 7: Self Worth and Healing the Wounds of Life

Details the structure and methodology of Self-Worth workshops, following a complete participant journey while maintaining anonymity. Explains the unique dynamic between Guide and Journeyer, emphasizing the intuitive nature of affirmational truth-speaking. Contrasts large festival workshops with intimate weekend processes and documents success in training new workshop leaders.

Part II: Inner Wounds and Their Healing

Part II

These chapters provide a 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.

Chapter 8: The Work Before Us

Proposes reviving the Creating Our Future (COF) youth organization through a comprehensive Whole Being Training curriculum. Outlines a three-year program combining personal healing, community building, and activist training to advance children's rights and end child abuse.

Chapter 9: Working Effectively for Change

Synthesizes lessons learned from the revival of COF at the millennium. Integrates established models of community organizing and organizational process. Emphasizes the dual importance of personal healing work and spiritual practice for effective activism. Explores Satyagraha principles through examples from Joanna Macy and Gandhi's campaigns, demonstrating how universal compassion can align with strategic effectiveness.

Part III: A Way Forward

Part III

Understanding alone is insufficient, for transformation requires practical methodologies and sustained action. These chapters present tested approaches for both personal healing and social change, demonstrating how individual transformation can catalyze collective evolution.

Chapter 10: My Roots

Chronicles the author's early life in New York through his arrival in San Francisco. The narrative weaves together his Jewish family life in the Bronx, influential relationships with family members, the critical impact of the Holocaust in forming his life’s mission, early romantic relationships, and receiving mentorship in the Peace movement. Places personal development within historical context, focusing on educational experiences and emerging commitment to peace work.

Chapter 11: Social Activism to the Grateful Dead To Spiritual Practice

Traces spiritual and geographical journey through San Francisco peace movement involvement, Haight-Ashbury community participation, and Summer of Love experiences. Documents the search for collective living opportunities, evolution of spiritual practice, and significant relationships, culminating in meeting his longtime spiritual teacher.

Part IV: How I Came to This Work

Part IV

Here Sat Santokh’s journey from awareness through healing to transformative action is depicted. His experiences illuminate both the challenges and possibilities inherent in this work.

Chapter 12: How I Became a Spiritual Teacher and a Healer

Chronicles key life transitions including Bay Area ashram leadership, recovery from a severe car accident, marriage changes, and family blending. Describes navigation of financial challenges and professional evolution, including development of a youth mentorship role. Traces evolution from dharma teacher to trauma healer through work with young people, leading to creation of Self Worth workshops.

Chapter 13: Rainforest Cereals and Creating Our Future

Explores the intersection of activism, music, and social enterprise through deep friendship with Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead's support of Creating Our Future. Details the Madison Square Garden Rainforest Benefit and collaborations with environmental and social justice organizations. Demonstrates how peace work evolved through youth engagement and organizational partnerships.

Chapter 14: About Myself as a Healer

Examines Sat Santokh’s personal spiritual journey including wrestling with divine justice regarding historical atrocities and transformative experience with Ma Jaya's AIDS ministry. Chronicles the confrontation of personal anger and trust issues through his own Self Worth healing journey. Concludes with a powerful case study of an East German woman's trauma healing, illustrating the transformative power of trust arising out of deep vulnerability.