Angeles Arrien

Civilization’s Cross-Roads

by Mikhail Gorbachev

“The world is truly at a cross-roads. We face many complex problems whose solutions will take more than just physical resources and financial expenditures. To meet these challenges the rules of international behavior will have to be changed. The roots of the current crisis of civilization lie within humanity itself. Our intellectual and moral development is lagging behind the rapidly changing conditions of our existence, and we are finding it difficult to adjust psychologically to the pace of change. Only by renouncing selfishness and attempts to outsmart one another to gain an advantage at the expense of others can we hope to ensure the survival of humankind and the further development of our civilization. “

—Mikhail Gorbachev in Architects of Peace, edited by Michael Collopy

 

Monthly Practice:

• For October, take a selfless, anonymous, daily action that truly helps your family, friends, work environment, community, and makes the world a better place. 
• Avoid any tendencies “to gain any advantage at the expense of others”.

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