On the 27th of April, 2015, Civitatis International, a dedicated international forum for the promotion of peace and cooperation between nations, hosted an interview with Radhanath Swami at Goodenough College in London on the topic “Peace and Prosperity in the 21st Century”. The event was attended by more than one hundred esteemed guests, including lords, professors and thirty-seven plenipotentiary representatives and ambassadors of various nations. All were eager to hear the unique perspective of a globally renowned spiritual leader of the 21st century.
The event began with a warm welcome for Radhanath Swami from the Director of Goodenough College, Major General Andrew Ritchie CBE. The interview itself was conducted by the preeminent author, journalist and fellow of All Souls College Oxford, Edward Mortimer CMG. With his wealth of experience as a Director of Communications in the Executive Office for the United Nations Secretary-General and as a former columnist and leader writer for the Financial Times, Mr Mortimer was well equipped to ignite from the Swami his wholesome perspective on the topic of international harmony in the stormy climate of the modern age.
Radhanath Swami responded to a wide range questions, extolling the practical virtues of spiritual knowledge in a modern context. He emphasized the inherent prosperity of love and internal peace, key tools in the cultivation of global peace and cooperation. He called upon the wisdom of sages of bygone ages and the modern era alike, citing both Mother Teresa and ancient books of knowledge such as the Bhagavad-gita. In response to a query regarding world conflicts and discrimination he shared from the Gita a verse which argued that true wisdom is not a function of information but rather the capacity to see all beings equally, and that true maturity was not measured by one’s ability to tolerate differences but rather one’s capacity to respect and appreciate them. This remained a prominent theme in the Swami’s responses.
The natural rapport between Radhanath Swami and Edward Mortimer was captivating to witness, and the audience deeply appreciated the Swami’s unwavering conviction that international peace was not merely a dream but an accessible reality that could be achieved through the assimilation of essential spiritual truths. The evening ended with heartfelt appreciation and renewed inspiration for all, with a number of state representatives inviting Radhanath Swami to be their guest in their respective countries.
