I maintain the conviction that human nature is basically affectionate and good. If our behaviour follows our kind and loving nature, then, quite naturally, immense benefits will result, not only for oneself but also for the society to which we belong. I generally qualify this love and affection as a universal religion. Everyone needs it, believers as much as non-believers. This attitude constitutes the very basis of morality. This unique and important book records the visions and beliefs of one of the greatest men of our time. In a series of wide-ranging discussions he speaks freely on matters affecting the entire world and all the individuals who inhabit it, revealing his profound wisdom and enlightened sense of responsibility as he talks knowledgeably about issues as diverse as birth control, the role of the media and the nature of compassion. All those seeking to make sense of our troubled world will find new insights in the Dalai Lama's thoughts on our current social problems, the repercussions of the spiritual domain in the political and social arena, the points of contact among the world's religions, the concept of individual responsibility and the idea of interdependence in science and the environment. He talks simply but movingly about the path to world peace and the future of the planet, seeking to show that true enlightenment can come only from within each one of us. Recorded during a visit to the West when the Dalai Lama met people from all walks of life, this wonderful book makes an outstanding contribution to mutual understanding among people of all races and creeds.