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The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.
We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the center of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.
We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community. @font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
Christine Macdonald 
What a powerful message, a peaceful global community, can it ever happen? I pray that it will, for my children…I worry about how things will be for them when they grow up…..
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You are my hero. I was a stripper (in a way) as a Chicago HoneBear and a Chicago Luvabull. Also, similar to you, we're the same age, have jobs and write, with a passion. And we're both beautiful. I started magazine publications ten years ago. Unlike you, I don't yet have a literary agent to back my close to finished memoir.Seriously though, if you're looking for a student to teach, I've got my hand raised the highest, with enthusiasm. If nothing else, following your blog and reading your memoir will teach.sheila.cull@sbcglobal.net
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Thanks for the comments ladies. I must have watched this video ten times yesterday with tears running down my cheeks. I think the date (9/11) made more of an impact on me yesterday than I cared to realize. @Sheila – You, my friend are MY hero! I love that you found me and that you are telling your story also.I do not have an agent (yet) or publisher (yet). I am simply a gal who is dreaming big with an extraordinary story to tell. I am emailing you now. 🙂
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My morning subway commute was interrupted this morning by a medical emergency on one of the other cars. Most of the passengers were pissed off, complaining, rolling their eyes. The thought never seemed to cross their minds that the person having a medical emergency may be having a worse day than them.Would be nice if compassion could make its way back to us.
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I agree completely. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
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I love you, Lady, so much, for this and every other bit of light you bring to me and this world. This? was remarkable and extraordinary and inspiring and it is the credo by which I try to humbly live my life by. If we all could do just that.
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A lot of those people do a very good job speaking but the lady at the beginning in the peach shirt does a really bad job. Just thought it was out of place.
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