Our Endangered Values
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
In Chinese the word “crisis” is made of two characters: one meaning “danger,” and the other meaning “opportunity.”
These are dangerous times for all of us. Our most cherished and admired values—the ones that were achieved through long-fought struggles of brave women and men and that brought about a more courteous, gentle, compassionate and enlightened society—are endangered. Division, bigotry, racism, xenophobia, intolerance, hatred, lack of civility, and aggressiveness have received an influx of energy, and some people, through their discriminatory and violent behavior, are bringing to light the worst in us.
At the same time, these attacks on our values and civil liberties motivate us to engage in initiatives aimed at protecting them. Crises allow us to look deeply at the systems in place, see what is not working, and come up with better ways of organizing ourselves to live together. We can see this movement unfolding right now: people are reflecting on values, cherishing them, and showing willingness to protect them with renewed commitment.
Our democracy, which has been kidnapped by a few, will inevitably be reclaimed by the majority of the people of this nation through increased participation in the democratic process, increased overseeing of the politicians and bureaucrats, and increased collaboration to create a more perfect union. Meanwhile, we will be growing our ability to deal with tense situations lovingly and nonviolently. The final result of this crisis will be positive, I believe.
Now, thinking more broadly about what is needed to improve the quality of life for all, I am convinced that love is and will always be the right answer. If we want to bring about a more peaceful, just, and united society, we ourselves need to cultivate and spread kindness, compassion, generosity, tolerance, and solidarity. I am convinced that the personal inner work that leads to the transformation of our hearts and minds and allows us to move from selfishness to selflessness continues to be the most powerful form of political activism for our times, and for all times.
Based on this belief, and based on my experiences and the type of person that I came to be, I have decided that the best contribution I can give to make life better on this planet at this stage of my life is to keep working on my own self, while encouraging others to engage in this personal work of transformation from the inside out. For me, that’s where the creation of a just society begins: with enlightened women and men constructing solid moral foundations upon which it shall rest. I have decided to give my support to those who want to begin, or who already are on honest and committed journeys of personal transformation. I have decided to join the ranks of those who nonviolently and actively resist the dark forces that try to delay what I believe is inevitable: the manifestation of Heaven right here on Earth.
Piero Falci teaches Mindfulness Meditation and Mindful Living and the acclaimed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. He leads Insight Meditation Silent Retreats and organizes Silent Peace Walks. Piero is an educator who believes that the inner work that leads to personal awakening and transformation is indispensable to create a wholesome world. He is a promoter of peace who believes in advancing the idea that Heaven is here if we want it to be. "A Better Life in a Better World: Can Mindfulness Save Us from Ourselves?" is his latest book. For more information, visit his website www.pierofalci.com