One part of the Trilateral Global Summit in London included a conference and banquet in the Parlour of the Mayor of Croydon.  For the sake of networking, the seating arrangements were designed to bring together dignitaries from several of the 24 represented nations at each table, rather than one nation per table.

I was directed to take my seat between a cheerful East Asian executive and the chair of the United Nations World Arts and Culture Council.  The executive congratulated me on the speech I had given earlier that day on "Investing in Humanity" and candidly began to share his own experiences.

"When I completed my doctorate at Princeton University," he said, "I felt so happy.  But that happiness lasted only for a few days, then I felt empty.  Later, I become a professor of international finance at Harvard University.  I thought it was a great achievement for two days, but then again I felt emptiness. I was not at peace.

"After some time, I became the CEO of the World Bank.  I was so happy for two days.  But then, nothing.  I realized that I was striving for things that have no enduring value. Of all the speakers here, you are the only one telling the truth about life.

"My wife is a medical doctor in a private hospital I have built.  I often go there to visit the ward of the critically ill patients.  I have seen very wealthy and successful people who were always busy in so many activities, but in the end they say that they are just empty. No thoughts come in their mind except the fear of death.

"This is the real problem. How to find peace and understand our spirit.  I want to learn from you about the soul and God.  I think this is the real path to peace and happiness.  It is my experience that worldly achievements are hollow."

It was a pleasure to pass the evening explaining to such a sincere and receptive soul that the only worthwhile and lasting achievement in life is the attainment of perfect love for Sri Krsna, the transcendental personality of Godhead.  Everything else is folly and vanity.

(Photo: (background left to right) Vasant Rajkumar (National President of Police, Nepal), Patricia Medina (U.N. Nuclear Proliferation expert), Dr. Sheikh Ramzy (Oxford Islamic Centre) (foreground) Ali Alderazi (MP Bahrain), Fassi Fihri MP (Minister of Education, Morocco), Angelina Teny MP (Minister of Energy and Mining, South Sudan).

 

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