As you know, PEP is what they promote in prisons: soft indoctrination in the form of... a curriculum.

I have no idea what inner peace is.  After decades of having a generally positive view of such a concept and pursuit, I'm left with thoughts of selfishness, isolation, escapism, customizable spirituality, infantilism, fairy dust -- so many things other than real, tangible, grounded and consistent. 

As Jethro said in his own words, how can inner peace or inner anything without vigorous action have any bearing on the circumstances that surround us?  That's been on my mind a lot lately.  Sometimes passivity and not speaking/acting is the cause or amplifier of much larger problems.   

I'm reminded of your notion that we're all born with a basic happiness quotient that may fluctuate somewhat but remains relatively constant throughout our lives... our basic disposition.  No amount of searching or efforts towards inner peace ever changed me in that regard. 

In support of the author's premise, I see cultural barriers to being accepted when just moving from one area of a single country (or even a state) to another.  Given that I'm "from away," I have to accept that the indigenous population will never truly accept me as one of their own.  It's a very subtle, but strong, condition... wall.

And there I go, even as I criticize others lately for backseat pontificating!