In the course of one's existence, one is constantly striving to achieve the pinnacle of their abilities, a certain excellence within themselves, and a balance between themselves and their society.
Unfortunately, as we near the end of the millenium, society is failing to provide us with the appropriate means in order to realize that goal. So as we prepare for the next century, we must recognize that there are many problems that we must alleviate before this world can become a better place.
It may well be that the nation cannot survive--as a decent place to live, as a world-class power or even as a democracy--with such high rates of children growing into adulthood unprepared to parent, unprepared to be productively employed and unprepared to share in the mainstream aspirations.
Various programs are springing up to help children. However, like the welfare program, for the most part these programs are aimed at alleviating symptoms rather than correcting the cause of the problems.
More prisons, more policemen, gun control, the FBI, and V-chips to block violent programs on TV will never stop crime and violence. When we devote time, money and effort toward problems and symptoms -- without correcting the cause -- the problems and symptoms grow and spread like creeping crab grass.
But as an individual, what can one do? The answer is simple. All one has to do is love. Love is the solution to all of the social problems in our society. Adequate love will eliminate evil, crime, violence, mental suffering, the suffering of innocent children, dysfunctional families, the break-up of families, restlessness, discontent, unhappiness--all that is ugly, deplorable, and destructive.
But before one can love others, one must learn to love himself. One cannot love himself until he frees himself from fear and false beliefs. One...