Waking Up from War A Better Way Home for Veterans and Nations

Voices and stories of veterans, their families, and their care providers, reveal what is necessary for postwar healing

This book argues that the elements that contribute to healing war trauma—including safety, connection, community, dialogue, mutual respect, diversity, and compassion—can help build a stronger nation. But this message comes with a warning and a challenge not just for caregivers, veterans service organizations, governmental departments, Congress, and the White House, but for all Americans. War creates incalculable suffering—not only among those on the front lines, but also among those left behind. For every soldier killed or injured on the battlefield, countless others are affected—particularly relatives and friends—often in isolation and silence. As a nation, the U.S. must do everything it can to repair the injuries caused by war, whether physical, emotional, or moral, both for those who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, and for the country itself. Only after the nation provides the top-quality care our veterans have earned will we be able to begin to end our reliance on war and truly build a durable peace.

Joseph Bobrow is a psychoanalyst, Zen master, and author of Zen and Psychotherapy: Partners in Liberation. He is the founding director of Coming Home Project, whose evidence-based programs for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, families, and care providers have served thousands nationwide. He teaches extensively, and lives in Santa Barbara. The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the world's foremost Buddhist leader. He travels extensively, speaking eloquently in favor of ecumenical understanding, kindness, and compassion, respect for the environment, and, above all, world peace.