In a faith-based approach, we expand the collaboration model. We not only seek to satisfy our interests and the interests of the other party, we also seek to satisfy God’s interests — typically referred to as “the Will of God.”

All conflict is the result of one False Self becoming entangled in opposition to another False Self. Each False Self is comprised of ego traits and swirling clouds of intentions desires. There is one way to de-escalate conflict: Vanish the clusters of False Self traits. Peace arrives after we scrub away ego personality.

Peacemakers encounter a clash of two primary worldviews: The dominant secular culture advances Materialism. The other worldview, a spiritual worldview, rests on the philosophy of Idealism.

Large institutions, such as universities, typically employ ombudspersons. But the Catholic Church lacks such a program.

At Christmas we celebrate not only the birth of the baby Jesus, but also a major supernatural event — the Incarnation. Caught up in celebrating the birth, we forget to reflect on the Incarnation, on the idea expressed in John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…”

Peacemakers must offset destructive Catholic tribalism by promoting widespread catechism in Benedict XVI's theology of relationship.

The False Self brings about habitual responses to conflict. Thus, for us to reconcile we must strip away the False Self, a cluster of destructive ego traits.

All conflicts are the result of two or more False Selves becoming entangled in opposing intentions. The False Self is a cluster of ego traits that do not reflect divine nature. In spiritual direction we sculpt away the layers of false self that taint our interests.

When you find yourself managing a conflict, slow up and ask the question — what do people really want? What interest are they really trying to satisfy? Do I really know what they want?

Spiritual direction, an ancient tradition, focuses on reconciling relationships with God. Catholic spiritual direction seeks to bring about mystical union with Christ.