I like the way that American has become a kind of spiritual home even for people who have never seen it. American dreams are strongest of all in the hearts of people who have only seen America in their dreams. I think it's refreshing and reviving to go around the world and see how America still occupies this special place.
Pico IyerQuitting, for me, means not giving up, but moving on; changing direction not because something doesnโt agree with you, but because you donโt agree with something. Itโs not a complaint, in other words, but a positive choice, and not a stop in oneโs journey, but a step in a better direction. Quitting-whether a job or a habit-means taking a turn so as to be sure youโre still moving in the direction of your dreams.
Pico IyerDalai Lama is transforming those criteria - and the whole way of conducting politics. He's conducting politics in a much deeper way than most politicians are able to. He's the only politician I know of who's a monk. The Pope, of course, is in a similar position, but the Pope isn't in the same way leading a country of many million people.
Pico IyerWe may be joined these days more by the questions we have in common than by the answers we share.
Pico Iyer