Beyond Systems: Achieving Peace Through Our Shared Humanity

The Systems inscribed on our psyches as accidents of birth, geography, ethnicity, gender, religion and nationality can operate to divide us, one from another-if we allow them to do so. Moreover, we tend not simply to be born into these Systems and to have them taught to us by all that surrounds us, but we also tend to study and learn these actively-often avidly. These Systems are solidified by three essential drivers: obedience, conformity, and loyalty. These drivers are often regarded as absolutely sacrosanct, not to be challenged in any way. The power of these drivers, however, has led humankind at times into the most hideous wars. The thesis of Beyond Systems is that all three of these drivers must be challenged if we are to learn to live in peace. In place of blind obedience, conformity, or loyalty there is demanded a different loyalty, one to the interconnection of us all, and the caring and compassion that this demands. This is a radical concept, yet as old-and as fundamental-as mankind itself. That it has been buried under the weight of all the loyalties that divide us, in no way means that it is an impossible dream. Indeed, there are signs on our planet that we no longer want to live by the old divisions, the old hatreds, the old subjugations of one group by another, the old wars that have afflicted us.

Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Dr. Ostrowski was educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood partly there, and partly at the University of Louvain, Belgium, from which he holds a Bachelor's and Master's in Sacred Theology, and where he was ordained in 1956.

He served as a priest in the Archdiocese of St. Paul for eleven years, seven years in a parish, and for two and a half years studied in Rome, getting degrees (a Licentiate in Sacred Theology, and Batchelor's in Sacred Scripture), He taught at the College (now University) of St. Thomas in St. Paul for about a year and a half.

He left the priesthood in 1967, and started his studies in psychology at the University of Florida. He married Sarah Lopez in 1968, and they are still together and leading very full and rich lives. They have two sons, both of whom live in the Los Angeles area, and two granddaughters, eight and five.

He received his Ph.D. in psychology in 1972, worked in mental health centers in Brevard County, Florida, and in Clayton County, Georgia (they moved to Atlanta in 1974) for five years, and then went into full-time private clinical practice until his retirement at age 70 in the year 2000.

His psychotherapy practice was almost exclusively with adults, and he also began an organization for spouse abusers.

Besides his work for peace in his daily practice of psychotherapy, he has worked with and led the local chapter of Psychologists for Social Responsibility in Atlanta in the 80s, and served on the national executive committee of that organization in the 90s. He has been a member also of the American Psychological Association's Division 48, the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence, and since 2000, has been representative to the United Nations for the Fellowship (since 2003 the International Fellowship) of Reconciliation. He has taken part in demonstrations for the closing of the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia, has supported the creation of a Department of Peace, and has been on the ground floor of the creation of the Nonviolent Peaceforce.

Dr. Ostrowski has refrained during his lifetime from the writing of books, believing that living peace is more important than words about it.

However, he felt compelled at least once in his life to gather into a book form his thoughts about a very rich Odyssey, which might serve as an ethical legacy to those who would take the time to read it--and might give them heart to follow a similar path.