Talent for Humanity: Stories of Creativity, Compassion, and Courage

We are all born with the power to imagine what does not yet exist. What if we used that power to create the world we all dream of living in--for ourselves and others?

Meet seven inspiring people--Reza, Sherry and Bob Jason, Aliza Hava, Deeyah Khan, Yarrow Kraner, and Daniele Finzi Pasca--who used their passion and creativity in the arts to reach out and infuse others with values and understanding that are vital for their community and our common future.

As you dive into their stories and allow them to take you on exceptional journeys, do realize that this book stands incomplete without your own contribution. Indeed, a few pages at the end are left blank. The final story, if you accept, can be yours… How would you put into words your wishes for the world and your aspirations to do something to bring change? Now imagine a million new friends just waiting to hear from you!

Our world today is in a state of deep uncertainty and turmoil.

Often we feel hopeless, powerless, frustrated and afraid.

Is there really anything we can do? Can one person make a difference? Can we actually change the world—by changing ourselves?

The seven men and women in this book have done just that. What their life stories show is that any human being who is inspired and motivated can do incredible and creative things that can help transform the lives of others.

Our story-tellers are ordinary people, who achieved exceptional things.

Let them take you on a journey of compassion and creativity, from revolutionary Iran to Skid Row in Los Angeles, from a Native American reservation in Montana to Norway and Great Britain, from Palestine and Israel to the slums of Calcutta and the Sochi Olympics.

The message of their stories? That each and every one of us can make a difference, and give someone hope, courage, love and vision.

Could your story be next?    

As you allow them to take you on their exceptional journeys please realize that this book stands incomplete without your own contribution. Indeed, a few pages at the end are left blank so the final story, if you accept, can be yours. How would you put into words your wishes for the world and your aspirations to do something to bring change? And don’t forget some words on what you plan to do! 

Patrick Gaffney has played a key role since the 1970’s in bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West. Born in the UK, he serves as one of the main directors of Rigpa—the international network of Buddhist centers and groups founded by Sogyal Rinpoche. He is responsible for editing Rinpoche’s teachings for publication, and was co-editor of his groundbreaking The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Patrick has also edited two of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s books,Dzogchen—The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection, and Mind in Comfort and Ease: The Vision of Enlightenment in the Great Perfection, and acts as an advisor for a number of Rigpa’s major international projects.

Thierry Sanchez is a deeply humanistic and visionary author, driven by a passion for exploration, discovery, and understanding human experiences. His journey is marked by periods of questioning, searching for meaning, challenges, and transformations. He firmly believes in the idea that every individual has a role to play in creating a better world and aspires to inspire others to recognize and utilize their own potential for a positive impact. His life is a testament to his resilience, courage, and ability to transform and evolve.

Patrick Gaffney a joué un rôle clé depuis les années 1970 dans la présentation du bouddhisme tibétain à l'Occident. Né au Royaume-Uni, il sert comme l'un des principaux directeurs de Rigpa — le réseau international de centres et de groupes bouddhistes fondé par Sogyal Rinpoche. Il est responsable de l'édition des enseignements de Rinpoche pour publication, et a été co-éditeur de son ouvrage révolutionnaire "Le Livre Tibétain de la Vie et de la Mort". Patrick a également édité deux des livres de Sa Sainteté le Dalaï-Lama, "Dzogchen — L'Essence du Cœur de la Grande Perfection", et "Esprit en Confort et en Aise : La Vision de l'Éveil dans la Grande Perfection", et agit comme conseiller pour un certain nombre des principaux projets internationaux de Rigpa.

Thierry Sanchez est un auteur profondément humaniste et visionnaire, animé par une passion pour l'exploration, la découverte et la compréhension des expériences humaines. Son parcours est marqué par des périodes de questionnement, de recherche de sens, de défis et de transformations. Il croit fermement à l'idée que chaque individu a un rôle à jouer dans la création d'un monde meilleur et aspire à inspirer les autres à reconnaître et à utiliser leur propre potentiel pour un impact positif. Sa vie est un témoignage de sa résilience, de son courage et de sa capacité à se transformer et à évoluer.