The scenario

It’s 2022. Europe tensions are rising. Joe Biden leads the US and Kim Yo-jong has taken leadership of North Korea. Power shifts continue to disrupt, and measures for conflict prevention and human rights continue to be impaired. Conflict is inevitable!

Protracted conflicts rush leaders into making significant decisions, while spot-fires of internal conflict spark emotionally charged reactions that might further prolong the conflict.

In a future where conflict is inevitable, how can mindfulness and calm be maintained?

Breathing, mindfulness, and minimising tension

Just as the boots of troops fall into a rhythm as they march toward conflict, so too can the hearts of leaders and citizens of conflicting states fall into synch and contribute to tension minimisation.

Controlled breathing can strengthen leaders’ and citizens’ capacity to make calm and grounded decisions by filtering out the emotional distraction of rising tensions. Controlled breathing clears the bloodstream of the stress hormone cortisol while increasing the vitality hormone DHEA; reduces anxiety and blood pressure; allows us to control our emotional state; and fosters strong cognitive performance. [1][2]

1. Williams, M. The Science Behind BreathSync.

2. Zaccaro, A., & Piarulli, A. How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life.

The design fiction

As the world accepts conflict is inevitable, an approach is taken to focus on minimising the tension.

The One Heart Treaty uses common smartphone heart monitor technology, a breathing app, and rituals, to connect the hearts of citizens with their leaders’—and with the citizens and leaders of the states they are in conflict with—by synching them to the one controlled breathing rhythm. While also providing a symbol of their one shared heart—that users can hold in their hand—the One Heart must be kept strong by all involved in the conflict that connects them.

How does the treaty work?

Leaders maintain peace with mindfulness by syncing their hearts through controlled breathing

Leaders and citizens maintain mindfulness throughout the conflict cycle to minimise tension