James Twyman: How to Find Peace in Divisiveness – Part 1

Do you find yourself with opposing viewpoints and arguing with your family, friends, or neighbors? Do people seem more hostile? Are you tired of all of the division in this world? Is it possible to “agree to disagree”?

According to today’s guest James Twyman, there IS a way to get along. James is known as a “Peace Troubadour” as he has united millions of people around the world with his music and messages of peace. His latest book is “I Don’t Know, Maybe, I Love You: How to De-Polarize Your Family, Business, Country and the World.” The title came about when he was arguing with his brother on the phone during Covid. At a particularly heated moment, James said to his brother, “I don’t know. Maybe. I love you, brother.” He realized this could be a way to de-escalate the disagreement.

James talks about attending an international Peace Conference held by the Pope in which many different religious leaders were invited to express their own prayers of peace from their faith. James then turned each of the prayers into songs. He explains that there is a magic when you combine prayers with music. He’s written 24 books and numerous songs and albums for the past several decades.

He talks about the “pandemic of being right” and how difficult it is to communicate. It seems so challenging to “talk to the other side,” but if we go into compassion and love, it becomes possible. We cannot allow differing opinions to separate us. If we can just listen to one another, maybe we can come to an understanding. We are here to love one another. We can let go of the addiction to being right.

He also talks about the teachings of Saint Francis, as he himself is an Episcopal Franciscan and Anglican priest. During the time of Saint Francis, it was also highly divisive. Saint Francis talked about how the real message of Christ is to love one another. He learned from the Islamic religious leaders and brought that back to Italy. We don’t have to make people wrong just because their beliefs and opinions are different from ours. We can be genuinely curious and listen to one another. He asks us to consider the possibility that we can actually learn from one another. We have a choice and can be kind to each other. We can always find things that we agree upon. This is Part 1 of the interview.

Info: www.worldpeacepulse.com and www.de-polarize.com