Notes from Nasser Zaghi, founder and congregation leader of Love Is the Solution, and author of Love Is the Solution—Peace Is Possible, to be released Fall 2008.

I grew up in the turmoil of a third-world country—Iran—and witnessed first-hand the terror born of generations-long hatred. As I witnessed this at a young age in Iran, I became increasingly aware of the deep human suffering and unhappiness in my life and in the lives of those around me. I believed there must be some way to recapture love within ourselves and among our communities. This belief was the foundation of my personal quest for conflict resolution and long-lasting harmony based in a deep perception of love. My intention in writing Love Is the Solution has been to arrive at a description of love that encompasses all people of earth, no matter their background, ideology, or faith.

"As I began to consider this during my more contemplative moments, I formed the principles that I thought would, in combination, inspire a more essential conflict resolution. "

While talking to religious leaders, historians, sociologists, politicians, and a rich amalgam of ordinary, informed people from many nations, I began to realize that the convictions of love taught in all religions and ethics teachings were being laid aside or applied only within the group, and not outside the group. This was not a new revelation, but as I began to consider this during my more contemplative moments, I formed the principles that I thought would, in combination, inspire a more essential conflict resolution. Those principles are acceptance, fairness, doing one’s best, and love.

These principles are expressed in Love is the Solution, a book that I hope will inspire reflection upon some of the most important dimensions of life that we often take for granted. These four principles and my reflections on the nature of hatred may awaken a sense of dedication to practice “love is the solution” within yourself and within the communities in which you are most involved.

Love Is the Solution is a stepping stone toward world peace. Peace in the world begins with peace within the individual. Each one of us is a stepping stone for peace, or a stepping stone for conflict—from subtle to cataclysmic. My perception is that peace is an outcome of deeply understanding of what love is, and then practicing it consciously every moment of our lives. I believe that fostering love and peace in the individual is the first step in a three-step process on the path to global peace. The second step is to cultivate love and peace within one’s immediate family. The third step is to extend these qualities to all families, communities, nations and, ultimately, the world. In my personal life, I have been striving to fulfill the first two steps, and now I am dedicated to making a key contribution to reaching the third—in part by writing Love Is the Solution. The book is a testimony to my practice of the principles of Love is the Solution, and perhaps will become an inspiration to your own.

Nasser Zaghi

February 2007

www.loveisthesolution.org