1. 10/29/12, 12:57 am

Says: " Lucas, it was such a pleasure to read your mid-semester letter. Through your writing you convey the characteristics of both a passionate and delicate spirit – of both a fierce and compassionate soul. I resonate with much of your desire and concern. For instance, that “At the core of my heart and soul exists a powerful drive to offer my life in service to making the world a more loving, conscious, sustainable, just, and equal place for us all.” I appreciate your attention to that which resides at “the core” of your heart, as I believe that “core” is the greatest source of the love and life energy necessary to withstand the trials and uncertainties that come with walking one’s path. I wonder what depths live in that core for you, as I can see that relationship and interconnectedness are central to your worldview. I think a great deal about the relationships between all things. Ubuntu: “I am because you are” – a concept you speak to in your letter – expresses, in my opinion, the deepest truth about relationships. Ubuntu is not a metaphor. It is quite literal. Everything we know emerges out of our relationships with others – other beings, plants, animals, objects, et c. Further, we come to have a concept of a “self” only in relationship with others. In the Constructive-Developmental branch of psychology this is referred to as differentiation. In order for a “self” to differentiate it must distinguish between a subject and an object – in other words, in must be in relationship with an “other.” Thus, “I am because you are.” Literally. I also share your plight with inaction. Cruelty, ignorance, carelessness seem mountainous, at times. It is difficult to know where exactly to dive in, as we take everything in at once. For me, the most paralyzing is learning about the unspeakable injustices brought to bear on citizens of Africa and the Middle East. I recall reading a piece of news concerning a little boy about half a year ago that took everything out of me. Everything seemed to escape me. I could not hold the atrocity in my mind. It seemed too much for me. The evil I was suddenly aware of was too great. Knowledge of this reality – the reality of what I call evil – is a powerful force for inaction for me. It can make me feel isolated, as well. I don’t know if this is the case for you - if you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the magnitude of human atrocities. I think this is an important area in working for peace, albeit a difficult one. We need to talk about the worst of atrocities, and to feel that others share in our own pain and suffering, in order to transcend shock, paralysis, and inaction. I think that feeling the support of community is one of the greatest anecdotes to inaction, as well as the support of intimate relationships, both of which ultimately nourish the support of one’s own being – of one’s “core.” The Paul Roget Loeb quote you use speaks further to this issue, and so eloquently: “There is no perfect time to get involved in social causes, no ideal circumstances for voicing our convictions. Instead, each of us faces a lifelong series of imperfect moments in which we must decide what to stand for.” What a statement. It gives me chills because this quote can apply to many, if not all areas of one’s life. There is an undeniable element of faith to action, and it resides right within that gap between certainty and uncertainty - within “a lifelong series of imperfect moments”, wherein we are called to make choices and take stands. Thank you for such an honest and well thought-out letter, Lucas. I think you are destined for great work. "