In order to rally people, governments need enemies... if they do not have a real enemy, they will invent one in order to mobilize us.

I am you and you are me; it is obvious we inter-are.

If we take the time to look deeply, we see that understanding and compassion arise from suffering. Understanding is the understanding of suffering, and compassion is the kind of energy that can transform suffering. If suffering is not there, we have no means to cultivate our understanding and our compassion. This is something quite simple to see

When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.

We may think of peace as the absence of war, that if the great powers would reduce their weapons arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we will see our own minds - our own prejudices, fears, and ignorance.

We try many ways to be awake, but our society still keeps us forgetful. Meditation is to help us remember.

Nonviolent action, born of the awareness of suffering and nurtured by love, is the most effective way to confront adversity.