Book excerpt: Are we naturally brutish or collaborative? The West has consistently argued for the former and imposed ‘civilization’ onto the world. But that was simply a convenient argument based on their immediate environs and to feed their insatiable greed. The East was always much more harmonious, just like human societies that survived 50,000 years. But look where it got them? Who were the ‘savages’ by the way? We lost morality and succumbed to an individualistic life of comfort, which has resulted in gross inequalities (to their benefit) and unprecedented environmental destruction. Is this ‘progress?’ This decision will fundamentally determine our choices for the future. Do we continue up the path of restlessness (or recklessness) or go back down the road of peacefulness (within ourselves) and harmony (with our environment)? The latter will not be easy, though, and the cynic in me says, “Why bother?” The hopeful in me, “Why not?” But the latter continues to prevail, and that is my single most important reason for writing this book – to leave a legacy for my children. I continue to hope that they may find a life of meaning rather than be swept away in one of indulgence.