We’re living through turbulent times. A welcome aspect of that experience is that it makes it easier to pose deeper questions, because everything is shifting and there is less to lose.

The main source of the cyclone is the fact that the United States is walking away of the system of agreements and, more importantly, the system of values that guided it. Europe, the other major stalwart of these agreements and values, is internally fractured and might politically follow the US soon.

This led me to ask myself: what social and political values do I stand for? If I could respond that question, I could more objectively determine what I will miss from the previous state of affairs, and what will I seek in the new alternatives.

If I had to boil it down to three values, I would go with these:

1. The freedom to challenge and know by yourself. This is the bedrock of science. It is also the bedrock of democracy. It’s the power of having the right to question authority and understand its source. Interestingly enough, this works for both knowledge and politics. Systems that are open to challenge and still manage to stand are better, in every conceivable measure, than those who do not grant this space.
2. Considering humans as humans first, rather than by their rank, function or belief. There where humans are considered enemies, tools, or inferiors, the soul withers. There where humans are treated with humanity, without regard to their relationship with power, the soul flourishes. There is incredible power in kindness – we’re just (re)learning how to tap into it on a large scale.
3. Taking care of yourself and what is around you. In my experience, a place is beautiful in proportion to how much people take care of it. A naturally beautiful spot can be destroyed by lack of care that levels it or fills it of trash. A child, no matter how gifted or wealthy, can be irreparably harmed through lack of care. Care is the active removal of one’s indifference. It projects light onto whatever it perceives. And when you are surrounded by people who care, you feel like caring too.

Buddhism speaks about the three poisons: attachment, aggression and ignorance. In a way, each value is about going beyond each of the poisons. By challenging the given, you’re going beyond your love for what’s convenient and established. By considers others as humans, you’re going beyond your hate for those who you think stand in your way. By taking care of yourself and what’s around you, you go beyond your impulse to not be bothered.

This is what I stand for, I think. And I’m happy to be challenged. I firmly believe that, sooner or later, we’ll be able to create a new age of permanent peace and prosperity in this planet. To help bring it about, I’ll do my best to look at each and everyone in the eye and ask: what do you really think? How do you really feel?