Live 8
3rd July 2005

I have heard comments about the recent Live 8 concert suggesting that it should not only be about raising awareness but also about raising money.

I'm glad that Live 8 is only about raising awareness.

Whilst money can be helpful, the way to resolve issues, from global to molecular, is to understand what is actually at the core of the problem and deal with that. Money can too often be used as a sticking plaster. Money alone is not 'the' solution, only part of the mechanics that can help bring about the desired solution.

There are two realisations that I have found very useful in helping me to see a world moving in the direction of joy, happiness and love. Firstly, in accepting responsibility for the world I see around me, I have the power to take part in creating a different world. If I deny my responsiblity, I allow myself to be a victim of my world. Secondly, instead of feeling that we must operate under a win-lose ethos, it is not only possible, but highly beneficial to all, to operate under a win-win ethos.

Because I see too heavy an imbalance in the direction of raising money whereby people feel that they've done their bit and need not think any further about how to create a happy, harmonious world, a concert focussed on raising awareness helps to redress that balance.

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