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Acting for Others:

The spiritual transformation as the basis for compassionate living. ...

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Acting for Others:

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    Slide 1:Acting for Others: The Voice of Twelve Nobel Laureates for Peace

    Arthur Zajonc Amherst College

    Slide 2:PeaceJam

    Started 10 years ago… 12 Nobel laureates with high school aged youth 12 curricula to promote peace, human rights, environmental sanity, arms control, … 200 at a time, 200,000 total International: US, Costa Rica, South Africa, India, Italy,…

    Slide 3:The Nobel Laureates

    Slide 4:The Nobel Laureates

    Slide 5:The Nobel Laureates

    Slide 6:From the interviews

    Root sources of conflict and wellsprings of healing. Community and interdependence of people and planet. The power of nonviolence The spiritual transformation as the basis for compassionate living. [Go through these one-by-one] Having offered this brief overview of four major themes developed by twelve Nobel laureates, I would like to step into the background, as it were, and allow these themes to sound in their voices. I will focus especially on the first and the last, on root sources of conflict and the wellsprings of healing, and on the spiritual perspectives the Nobels bring to their work. [Go through these one-by-one] Having offered this brief overview of four major themes developed by twelve Nobel laureates, I would like to step into the background, as it were, and allow these themes to sound in their voices. I will focus especially on the first and the last, on root sources of conflict and the wellsprings of healing, and on the spiritual perspectives the Nobels bring to their work.

    Slide 7:Root sources of suffering…

    Aung San Suu Kyi: “I don’t think that there is such a thing as evil, but I think there is such a thing as ignorance…” “So one would say that they have no inner confidence, no inner serenity. It's a lack of spiritual development.” “It is not power that corrupts but fear…” I once listened to a radio program about Karl Popper and he was asked the question, "Do you believe in evil?" and he said, "No, but I believe in stupidity." (smiles) And I agree very much with him there. I don't think that there is such a thing as evil, but I think there is such a thing as ignorance and the root of all evil is ignorance. The more you understand, the broader your vision, the broader your understanding is of the world around you, the less room there is for evil. So I do not believe in evil. I think there are such things as stupidity, as Karl Popper put it, or ignorance, as the Buddhists would put it ignorance of what is right and what is wrong. Also, the ignorance of other people's feelings. I suppose you could call it a lack of empathy. If you could feel for others as you would feel for yourself, then there's very little room for evil, because mostly, evil is what you do to others. I think that those who abhor each other are basically those who feel insecure. They feel threatened by what is different, whether it's a different color, or a different religion, or a different belief. So one would say that they have no inner confidence, no inner serenity. It's a lack of spiritual development. People who are spiritually developed do not think of others in terms of their differences, but in terms of what they have in common. It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it. I once listened to a radio program about Karl Popper and he was asked the question, "Do you believe in evil?" and he said, "No, but I believe in stupidity." (smiles) And I agree very much with him there. I don't think that there is such a thing as evil, but I think there is such a thing as ignorance and the root of all evil is ignorance. The more you understand, the broader your vision, the broader your understanding is of the world around you, the less room there is for evil. So I do not believe in evil. I think there are such things as stupidity, as Karl Popper put it, or ignorance, as the Buddhists would put it ignorance of what is right and what is wrong. Also, the ignorance of other people's feelings. I suppose you could call it a lack of empathy. If you could feel for others as you would feel for yourself, then there's very little room for evil, because mostly, evil is what you do to others. I think that those who abhor each other are basically those who feel insecure. They feel threatened by what is different, whether it's a different color, or a different religion, or a different belief. So one would say that they have no inner confidence, no inner serenity. It's a lack of spiritual development. People who are spiritually developed do not think of others in terms of their differences, but in terms of what they have in common. It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.

    Slide 8:Root sources of suffering…

    Dalai Lama: “"I believe that suffering is caused by ignorance, and that people inflict pain on others in pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction...” "I believe that suffering is caused by ignorance, and that people inflict pain on others in pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through cultivation of altruism, of love, of compassion, and through the elimination of anger, selfishness and greed. "I believe that suffering is caused by ignorance, and that people inflict pain on others in pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through cultivation of altruism, of love, of compassion, and through the elimination of anger, selfishness and greed.

    Slide 9:Root sources of suffering…

    Shirin Ebadi: “If we would do away with ignorance and prejudice, I believe we can solve many of our problems.” Jody Williams: “Well, I think it’s greed. I think it’s lust for power…. Ignorance. Willful ignorance, I think, is one of the biggest threats to our future.” SE: I see the root cause of these problems in basically two things: first, ignorance, and second, prejudice. We're not conscious of different religions and civilizations and as a result we think that we are the only ones who are right. If we would do away with ignorance and prejudice, I believe we can solve many of our problems. JW: Well, I think it’s greed. I think it’s lust for power. You combine those (and when I say greed, I mean not just personal greed – political greed, governmental greed for control of the resources of the world in order to have the most power. SE: I see the root cause of these problems in basically two things: first, ignorance, and second, prejudice. We're not conscious of different religions and civilizations and as a result we think that we are the only ones who are right. If we would do away with ignorance and prejudice, I believe we can solve many of our problems. JW: Well, I think it’s greed. I think it’s lust for power. You combine those (and when I say greed, I mean not just personal greed – political greed, governmental greed for control of the resources of the world in order to have the most power.

    Slide 10:Overcoming fear

    Shirin Ebadi: “Any person who pursues human rights in Iran must live with fear from birth to death, but I have learned to overcome my fear” In the late nineties dozens of Iranian intellectuals had been murdered and the government had admitted partial complicity in their deaths. As attorney for the family of two of the victims, Shirin Ebadi was permitted a brief ten days to study the entire dossier of the judiciary’s investigation. Over many pages, she read about brutal slayings and the plans for more. Strangulations, stabbings, and shootings were described as acts all done in the name of God. Late on her first day of reading she came to the transcript of a conversation between a death squad member and a government investigator. The passage she read next, the words of an assassin, haunted her for years. “The next person to be killed is Shirin Ebadi.” The minister of intelligence had replied to the assassin’s declaration, “Not during Ramadan, but anytime thereafter.”[i] Here she sat, seeking justice for the death of fellow Iranians who had been slain following the utterance of those same words, but without Ramadanor an international reputation to protect them. [i] Shirin Ebadi, Iran Awakening (N.Y.: Random House, 2006), p. xv.In the late nineties dozens of Iranian intellectuals had been murdered and the government had admitted partial complicity in their deaths. As attorney for the family of two of the victims, Shirin Ebadi was permitted a brief ten days to study the entire dossier of the judiciary’s investigation. Over many pages, she read about brutal slayings and the plans for more. Strangulations, stabbings, and shootings were described as acts all done in the name of God. Late on her first day of reading she came to the transcript of a conversation between a death squad member and a government investigator. The passage she read next, the words of an assassin, haunted her for years. “The next person to be killed is Shirin Ebadi.” The minister of intelligence had replied to the assassin’s declaration, “Not during Ramadan, but anytime thereafter.”[i] Here she sat, seeking justice for the death of fellow Iranians who had been slain following the utterance of those same words, but without Ramadanor an international reputation to protect them.

    Slide 11:Give up fear for love

    Mairead Corrigan Maguire: “Don’t be afraid! Give up your fear…” “I would say to young people today, …” Mairead: Don’t be afraid! Give up your fear. When I started I was afraid, but fear blocks us from doing things and believing in ourselves and believing in each other. We’re all born to love and be loved. We all need each other. Don’t be afraid to go out and be happy and show affection and show love and forgive and ask forgiveness because we all make mistakes. I would say to young people today, don’t be afraid of anything. Lose your fear and give it away – throw it away and start loving.Mairead: Don’t be afraid! Give up your fear. When I started I was afraid, but fear blocks us from doing things and believing in ourselves and believing in each other. We’re all born to love and be loved. We all need each other. Don’t be afraid to go out and be happy and show affection and show love and forgive and ask forgiveness because we all make mistakes. I would say to young people today, don’t be afraid of anything. Lose your fear and give it away – throw it away and start loving.

    Slide 12:Security through community

    Adolfo Pérez Esquivel and Mairead “I feel that the safety of mankind begins in the community…” Mairead “I agree with you that security really starts within the community, within the family.” From a living room dialogue Adolfo Pérez Esquivel Adolfo: In my opinion, I feel that the safety of mankind begins in the community. We are not human beings alone; we are human beings socially, spiritually, politically and economically, in concert with each other. I believe that it is through the community, the community of the family, the community of our villages, of our religious beliefs -- this is what enables us to have security and to grow as persons. We cannot stay in the mind-set of "individualism". Mairead:I agree with you that security really starts within the community, within the family. It is how we build solidarity. We are social animals, we all need each other; we need each other for that sense of love, that sense of support, that sense of belonging. Adolfo: In my opinion, I feel that the safety of mankind begins in the community. We are not human beings alone; we are human beings socially, spiritually, politically and economically, in concert with each other. I believe that it is through the community, the community of the family, the community of our villages, of our religious beliefs -- this is what enables us to have security and to grow as persons. We cannot stay in the mind-set of "individualism". Mairead:I agree with you that security really starts within the community, within the family. It is how we build solidarity. We are social animals, we all need each other; we need each other for that sense of love, that sense of support, that sense of belonging.

    Slide 13:Education for peace

    Oscar Arias “Education… must shape the attitudes and beliefs essential to ensure the benevolent application of that knowledge.” Adolfo “When one speaks of disarming consciousness, of ridding consciousness of violence, it has to start from childhood up to adulthood.” Arias: Education for the twenty-first century must therefore not only teach the skills and knowledge necessary to lead, but also shape the attitudes and beliefs essential to ensure the benevolent application of that knowledge. Adolfo:When one speaks of disarming consciousness, of ridding consciousness of violence, it has to start from childhood up to adulthood. Educators would say that in order to educate one child we need an entire community. It’s a cultural change. It’s a change of thought and attitudes... If we don’t manage to disarm our “armed consciousness” we shall only make more profound the violence in which humanity lives today.Arias: Education for the twenty-first century must therefore not only teach the skills and knowledge necessary to lead, but also shape the attitudes and beliefs essential to ensure the benevolent application of that knowledge. Adolfo:When one speaks of disarming consciousness, of ridding consciousness of violence, it has to start from childhood up to adulthood. Educators would say that in order to educate one child we need an entire community. It’s a cultural change. It’s a change of thought and attitudes... If we don’t manage to disarm our “armed consciousness” we shall only make more profound the violence in which humanity lives today.

    Slide 14:Women and participation

    Rigoberta Menchú Tum “I believe that participation is very important…” Shirin Ebadi “I see the entire world as a theater. The women were always behind the scene,…” Rigoberta: I believe that participation is very important. If there is a woman sitting at home lamenting what is going on out in the streets, she is surely not going to be contributing anything. But if there is a woman who gets together with others and tries to struggle alongside them, surely she can make an impact. Shirin: I see the entire world as a theater. The women were always behind the scene, but they were always important and were never recognized. Over time they found confidence, and now they are on the stage. The first woman who appeared on the stage also enabled all other women to get the courage to come on stage, and therefore have confidence. and as more women appear in the theater, they have to raise the screen so more women appear on the stage. And this is the obligation of women who are on the stage, to assure that other women have equal access and equal right to participate in their stage, and we start that from here today. Rigoberta: I believe that participation is very important. If there is a woman sitting at home lamenting what is going on out in the streets, she is surely not going to be contributing anything. But if there is a woman who gets together with others and tries to struggle alongside them, surely she can make an impact. Shirin: I see the entire world as a theater. The women were always behind the scene, but they were always important and were never recognized. Over time they found confidence, and now they are on the stage. The first woman who appeared on the stage also enabled all other women to get the courage to come on stage, and therefore have confidence. and as more women appear in the theater, they have to raise the screen so more women appear on the stage. And this is the obligation of women who are on the stage, to assure that other women have equal access and equal right to participate in their stage, and we start that from here today.

    Slide 15:Spiritual Change

    Mairead: “A positive approach to change gives us the confidence in ourselves…” “the shift in consciousness must be from the excuses we make for the use of violence,…” Mairead: A positive approach to change gives us the confidence in ourselves to let go of fear, to reach out to others, and to be open to the creative possibilities which change can bring in the future. I think the shift in consciousness must be from the excuses we make for the use of violence, militarism and war to a consciousness that every human life is sacred, and we are each special and we have a right to life and a right to the good things in life for us to be happy. There’s enough in the world to go around to make a fair and equal world, particularly for the children. That consciousness that we are special, we are unique, we are human beings with the right to life and the right to justice, we are also human beings who have a responsibility to start looking after Mother Earth. If we don’t take more responsibility for the Earth, we’re going to destroy our home. Mairead: A positive approach to change gives us the confidence in ourselves to let go of fear, to reach out to others, and to be open to the creative possibilities which change can bring in the future. I think the shift in consciousness must be from the excuses we make for the use of violence, militarism and war to a consciousness that every human life is sacred, and we are each special and we have a right to life and a right to the good things in life for us to be happy. There’s enough in the world to go around to make a fair and equal world, particularly for the children. That consciousness that we are special, we are unique, we are human beings with the right to life and the right to justice, we are also human beings who have a responsibility to start looking after Mother Earth. If we don’t take more responsibility for the Earth, we’re going to destroy our home.

    Slide 16:Even forgiveness

    Desmond Tutu: the story of Fulbright scholar and anti-apartheid activist, Amy Biehl … Tutu: Tutu illustrates the power of forgiveness in the story of Any Biehl, a Fulbright scholar from California who was working tirelessly against apartheid during her stay in South Africa. [i] She was caught in a race riot. Youths stoned the car and when Amy and her passengers got out, the mob chased them, stoning and stabbing her. She who was so committed to justice was ironically killed by people whose cause she had espoused. Her family were obviously shattered. Yet instead of being embittered and seeking revenge, quite remarkably they did not oppose the amnesty applications of those who had killed their child so brutally. Mr. Peter and Mrs. Linda Biehl attended the amnesty application hearing and said that they supported the entire process of reconciliation and amnesty. They embraced the families of the murderers of their child. But what is more remarkable is that they have established the Amy Biehl Foundation with the objective of uplifting the youth in the very township where their daughter was killed, helping residents who could very well have been involved in Amy’s murder. The Biehls return to South Africa regularly to oversee the operations of the foundation and they frequently pass the spot where their child met her gruesome death. [i] Tutu, No Future without Forgiveness, pp.152-153.Tutu: Tutu illustrates the power of forgiveness in the story of Any Biehl, a Fulbright scholar from California who was working tirelessly against apartheid during her stay in South Africa. [i] She was caught in a race riot. Youths stoned the car and when Amy and her passengers got out, the mob chased them, stoning and stabbing her. She who was so committed to justice was ironically killed by people whose cause she had espoused. Her family were obviously shattered. Yet instead of being embittered and seeking revenge, quite remarkably they did not oppose the amnesty applications of those who had killed their child so brutally. Mr. Peter and Mrs. Linda Biehl attended the amnesty application hearing and said that they supported the entire process of reconciliation and amnesty. They embraced the families of the murderers of their child. But what is more remarkable is that they have established the Amy Biehl Foundation with the objective of uplifting the youth in the very township where their daughter was killed, helping residents who could very well have been involved in Amy’s murder. The Biehls return to South Africa regularly to oversee the operations of the foundation and they frequently pass the spot where their child met her gruesome death.

    Slide 17:Sounding one’s spiritual depth

    ASSK: ““The man stripped of all props except that of his spirit is sounding…” “Of the words of wisdom I gathered during that journey across central Burma, those of a ninety-one-year-old Hsayadaw of Sagaing are particularly memorable…” “Some have questioned the appropriateness of talking about such matters a metta (loving-kindness) and thissa (truth) in the political context. “The man stripped of all props except that of his spirit is sounding not only the depths he is capable of plumbing, but also testing the heights that he can scale. An individual who appears weak turns out to possess adamantine qualities. The easy-going ‘featherweight’ demonstrates a solid capacity for self-sacrifice and integrity.” In her Letters from Bhurma ASSK writes about her travels before house arrest. “Of the words of wisdom I gathered during that journey across central Burma, those of a ninety-one-year-old Hsayadaw of Sagaing are particularly memorable. He sketched out for me tersely how it would work for democracy in Burma. ‘You will be attacked and reviled for engaging in honest politics,’ pronounced the Hsayadaw, but you must persevere. Lay down an investment in dukka [suffering] and you will gain sukka [bliss].” ASSK traveled to Thamanya and saw the good governance of a district powerfully influenced by the Buddhist holy man or Hsayadaw named U. Vinayal. ASSK gained an important insight into human nature from the visit: “Some have questioned the appropriateness of talking about such matters a metta (loving-kindness) and thissa (truth) in the political context. But politics is about people and what we had seen in Thamanya proved that love and truth can move people more strongly than any form of coercion.” [concerning her visit to the Hsayadaw (holy man)of Thamanya, U Vinaya] p. 17, Letters from Burma“The man stripped of all props except that of his spirit is sounding not only the depths he is capable of plumbing, but also testing the heights that he can scale. An individual who appears weak turns out to possess adamantine qualities. The easy-going ‘featherweight’ demonstrates a solid capacity for self-sacrifice and integrity.” In her Letters from Bhurma ASSK writes about her travels before house arrest. “Of the words of wisdom I gathered during that journey across central Burma, those of a ninety-one-year-old Hsayadaw of Sagaing are particularly memorable. He sketched out for me tersely how it would work for democracy in Burma. ‘You will be attacked and reviled for engaging in honest politics,’ pronounced the Hsayadaw, but you must persevere. Lay down an investment in dukka [suffering] and you will gain sukka [bliss].” ASSK traveled to Thamanya and saw the good governance of a district powerfully influenced by the Buddhist holy man or Hsayadaw named U. Vinayal. ASSK gained an important insight into human nature from the visit: “Some have questioned the appropriateness of talking about such matters a metta (loving-kindness) and thissa (truth) in the political context. But politics is about people and what we had seen in Thamanya proved that love and truth can move people more strongly than any form of coercion.” [concerning her visit to the Hsayadaw (holy man)of Thamanya, U Vinaya] p. 17, Letters from Burma

    Slide 18:Revolution of spirit needed

    ASSK: “The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit, born of an intellectual conviction of the need for change in those mental attitudes and values which shape the course of a nation’s development. A revolution which aims merely at changing official policies and institutions with a view to an improvement in material conditions has little chance of genuine success. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative…” ASSK The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit, born of an intellectual conviction of the need for change in those mental attitudes and values which shape the course of a nation’s development. A revolution which aims merely at changing official policies and institutions with a view to an improvement in material conditions has little chance of genuine success. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to the process of reform and regeneration. It is not enough merely to call for freedom, democracy and human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill will, ignorance and fear.ASSK The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit, born of an intellectual conviction of the need for change in those mental attitudes and values which shape the course of a nation’s development. A revolution which aims merely at changing official policies and institutions with a view to an improvement in material conditions has little chance of genuine success. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to the process of reform and regeneration. It is not enough merely to call for freedom, democracy and human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill will, ignorance and fear.

    Slide 19:Easter in “the pipe”

    Adolfo Pérez Esquivel: “I was arrested on April 4—the Monday of Holy Week. It was the anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., too. So I had quite a special Holy Week that year….” St John of the Cross: “In the evening of your life you’ll be judged on your love.” See the printout of Chapter 5. If time.See the printout of Chapter 5. If time.

    Slide 20:God in me and in you

    Wangari Maathai: I don't really know why I care so much. I just have something inside me that tells me that there is a problem, … I don't really know why I care so much. I just have something inside me that tells me that there is a problem, and I have got to do something about it. I think that is what I would call the God in me. All of us have a God in us, and that God is the spirit that unites all life, everything that is on this planet. It must be this voice that is telling me to do something, and I am sure it's the same voice that is speaking to everybody on this planet— at least everybody who seems to be concerned about the fate of the world, the fate of this planet. I don't really know why I care so much. I just have something inside me that tells me that there is a problem, and I have got to do something about it. I think that is what I would call the God in me.All of us have a God in us, and that God is the spirit that unites all life, everything that is on this planet. It must be this voice that is telling me to do something, and I am sure it's the same voice that is speaking to everybody on this planet— at least everybody who seems to be concerned about the fate of the world, the fate of this planet.

    Slide 21:Indigenous Spirituality

    Rigoberta: “But also, spirituality is a personal attitude of human beings, and that’s the reason why women need to spend a lot of time with their daughters and sons….” “The Mayans are great grandparents, transparent grandparents, and wise grandparents. And that wisdom is not dead….” RMT: But also, spirituality is a personal attitude of human beings, and that’s the reason why women need to spend a lot of time with their daughters and sons. If women teach their children the value of water, the value of air, the value of the sun, the moon, the light we all need, surely those children will think in a holistic way about the future. But this is not only idealistic - I think this is already happening. In many places in the world where there are people who are once again harkening to their ancestral values, their dignity, their identity, and that is why they feel happy. They have self-esteem. And if a group of people has self-esteem it radiates joy to others. Her Mayan spirituality is core to everything she has done… “The Mayans are great grandparents, transparent grandparents, and wise grandparents. And that wisdom is not dead. It is within us. It is in the rocks, in the volcanoes, in the rivers, and I would like to be part of this millenary Mayan culture experience. Not only in my life, but in the lives of others, by which I would like to be a light of Mayan spirituality. “RMT: But also, spirituality is a personal attitude of human beings, and that’s the reason why women need to spend a lot of time with their daughters and sons. If women teach their children the value of water, the value of air, the value of the sun, the moon, the light we all need, surely those children will think in a holistic way about the future. But this is not only idealistic - I think this is already happening. In many places in the world where there are people who are once again harkening to their ancestral values, their dignity, their identity, and that is why they feel happy. They have self-esteem. And if a group of people has self-esteem it radiates joy to others. Her Mayan spirituality is core to everything she has done… “The Mayans are great grandparents, transparent grandparents, and wise grandparents. And that wisdom is not dead. It is within us. It is in the rocks, in the volcanoes, in the rivers, and I would like to be part of this millenary Mayan culture experience. Not only in my life, but in the lives of others, by which I would like to be a light of Mayan spirituality. “

    Slide 22:Mental Peace

    Dalai Lama: “Thus it is worthwhile adopting certain methods to increase mental peace, and in order to do that it is important to know more about the mind.…The key point is to have a genuine sense of universal responsibility, based on love and compassion, and clear awareness." DL: “Everyone wants happiness and pleasure, but if we compare physical pleasure and physical pain with mental pleasure and mental pain, we find that the mind is more effective, predominant, and superior. Thus it is worthwhile adopting certain methods to increase mental peace, and in order to do that it is important to know more about the mind. When we talk about preservation of the environment, it is related to many other things. Ultimately the decision must come from the human heart. The key point is to have a genuine sense of universal responsibility, based on love and compassion, and clear awareness."DL: “Everyone wants happiness and pleasure, but if we compare physical pleasure and physical pain with mental pleasure and mental pain, we find that the mind is more effective, predominant, and superior. Thus it is worthwhile adopting certain methods to increase mental peace, and in order to do that it is important to know more about the mind. When we talk about preservation of the environment, it is related to many other things. Ultimately the decision must come from the human heart. The key point is to have a genuine sense of universal responsibility, based on love and compassion, and clear awareness."

    Slide 23:What they knew…

    From ignorance to insight Transformation: a shift in consciousness From isolation to empathy, connection and community Environment as part of our enlarged interdependency Beyond political and intellectual revolution to a spiritual revolution.

    Slide 24:MAIREAD CORRIGAN MAGUIRE: Well, we’re all born, I think, with the capacity to love. It’s a mystery of life, this thing… MAIREAD CORRIGAN MAGUIRE: Well, we’re all born, I think, with the capacity to love. It’s a mystery of life, this thing. We meet people and we fall in love and we have different kinds of love, but it’s just such a wonderful thing. When political scientists and other scientists discover that love is science and love can change the world without militaries and war, we’ll have a new politics. In the meantime, learning to love and loving each other, not being afraid to reach out to people, and not being afraid to be human [that is our work] … We all cry, we’re all very human, we all feel the pain of life. We also feel the joy of life. To not be afraid to take risks for love, to me that is a great hope in our world today. MAIREAD CORRIGAN MAGUIRE: Well, we’re all born, I think, with the capacity to love. It’s a mystery of life, this thing. We meet people and we fall in love and we have different kinds of love, but it’s just such a wonderful thing. When political scientists and other scientists discover that love is science and love can change the world without militaries and war, we’ll have a new politics. In the meantime, learning to love and loving each other, not being afraid to reach out to people, and not being afraid to be human [that is our work] … We all cry, we’re all very human, we all feel the pain of life. We also feel the joy of life. To not be afraid to take risks for love, to me that is a great hope in our world today.

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