Together*

“It has become clear that over the course of human history, despite the many and varied ways in which we have advanced our understanding of the physical universe, as a society we continue to cling to what can only be seen as antiquated ways of thinking. A great conflict is stirring that will soon be upon us. And, it appears, we find ourselves now at a junction – a pivotal point in time that will inevitably shape our future history. We have, now, the ability to determine the course of our evolution. It comes, simply, to a decision. I speak of a mutation of the spirit. We must dismantle the relationship between wealth and power and begin to view real power as existing in the bonds that unite us and move us forward intellectually and spiritually as a species. Even today, we must compete with each other merely to survive. Therefore, that individual who is capable of enabling or restricting access to resources necessary for our survival holds the greatest power. It is evident, quantifiable, and measured by degree. I believe that, upon the conclusion of this conflict, power will be redefined, and it is because, as a species, we have this one necessary adaptation to make. Like any other adaptation, this shift will prove its usefulness by the ultimate endurance of our species. For if we fail to adapt, make no mistake, we will suffer extinction. When wealth equates to power we have in place a formula that inherently generates inequality. It is a very simple principle; one that is not a mystery and which we accept as simply the way things are. What I say to you today is this: that it need not be. We require nothing more than the impulse to serve our brethren to remove inequality from every corner of the globe. When we laud the power of the individual who hands us our bread and not the system that pays his wages none of us will ever go hungry again. There are two types of individuals who will say that I have been stricken with an incurable madness. The first are those who have wealth and power and are desperate not to lose it. The second, are those who see what wealth can attain, reach for it, and never quite realize the futility of their struggle. They see things as they are, wish they could change, but say, ‘It is human nature’. Wealth and power, competitiveness, and survival of the fittest are not human nature. They are nothing more than mere adaptations – mutations of our society which at one time were necessary for the survival of the species. But they have outlived their usefulness. There is a third individual. I see in their eyes that they believe that it is more important that they themselves go hungry in support of a cause that seeks to ensure that all are fed. I feel in their beating hearts the vision of a tomorrow that includes them in a world of plenty. O’ to every dreamer who sees the vision of a happier tomorrow, hear my words and understand that together we form an army. We have no guns. We do not rob, or pillage, or make to suffer our enemy. We need not form into columns or prepare the field of battle for our strategy is merely to join hands and advance. We seek only what is self-evident: the liberty to live our dream, to share the grain of the field, breathe fresh air, and drink clear water. But like good soldiers, we will stand our ground believing firmly in the righteousness of our cause. We will never surrender and should they bring the sword and the arrow to the front of our lines we will offer them our hands – for faith in our fellow man, this wondrous brotherhood, is the most powerful weapon we possess. We will make our enemies see that love shall endure any hardship, that the sound of laughter will one day ring louder than the din of the war drum, and that peace will shine brighter than the radiance of a thousand suns. Together, we are Krishna. In victory, we will extend our many arms and say, ‘We have become life, creator of worlds'”.

* Years ago, when I started working as an audio professional, it was my job to comb through a vast network of websites and audio libraries for compelling snippets of sound that could be repurposed for various projects. One day, I came across a library of the most mysterious fragments of old analog recordings many of which were in languages that I could not understand. Among them was a series of short formal addresses, mainly on intellectual topics like philosophy and metaphysics, and this one passionately delivered speech in English by a man who I surmised from his accent, as well as his reference to the Bhagavad Gita, must have been born somewhere on the Indian subcontinent and educated at university abroad in England or the United States of America. The recording was old and crackly but he spoke clearly and with such intensity that I was tremendously moved by his unique message. In his speech were thoughts and feelings that I had felt for a long time but lacked the words to express. More than just the words of his speech that captured my imagination, was the impassioned way in which he delivered them. His tone of hopeful urgency sent shivers up my spine and the themes and motifs he spoke of seem as relevant and needed now more so than ever. I held onto that short piece of audio for many years and listened to it more than a hundred times. Sadly, that small piece of digital information has disappeared from my audio library and I cannot recall where I found the recording. His words have lived with me ever since I first heard them and they continue to echo through my spirit. In this text, I have tried to capture the essence of that message.