How can people respond constructively to a world marked by conflict, ecological pressures and political division? That question sits at the centre of Serge Beddington-Behrens’s new book, Regenerating an Unravelling World: The Sacred Challenges of the Warrior Activist, scheduled for publication by Umbria Press in 2026. Addressed to established activists and readers unsure where to begin, the book connects public engagement with personal reflection and ethical responsibility.
Beddington-Behrens draws on his experience as a soul-centred psychotherapist and retreat teacher to explore what he calls “spiritual warriorhood”. His use of the term is explicitly nonviolent: rather than defeating or destroying other people, the spiritual warrior seeks to confront injustice while cultivating courage, compassion and self-awareness. The author argues that working towards a healthier society requires attention both to social structures and to the attitudes people bring to changing them.
The book is divided into two sections, “Inner Activism” and “Outer Activism”. Early chapters examine qualities such as discipline, discernment, humility and open-heartedness, while later chapters address subjects including war, fascism and the possibilities for a regenerated society. Reflective exercises invite readers to consider their strengths, motivations and areas for personal development.
Developed from lectures delivered over several years, the book retains a conversational style. Its central invitation is to move beyond anxiety or disengagement and identify a meaningful way to contribute. For Beddington-Behrens, activism need not begin with a prominent public role: it can start with recognising one’s abilities and choosing how to put them to use.
