Michael, for more than 50 years you have been a strong, brave voice bringing spiritual values of love and purpose into the political arena. Your leadership of Tikkun Magazine, your ten books, and your countless articles, speeches, and interviews steadily and consistently expose the shallowness of corporate commercial culture and traditional politics and support the full expression ofthe human impulses for caring and connection. And you have been heardbecoming one of the leading voices for progressive spiritual activism in this country and founding the wonderfully ambitious national spiritual activism organization, the Network of Spiritual Progressives.
We salute you for these accomplishments. But that is not the reason for this Sullivan Ballou award. Most of our other 80 recipients are unknown outside the close circles in which they serve. They are advocates for the homeless, small shop owners, student human rights activists, someone who carries out groceries at the supermarket, and other unsung heroes. What they all share is that they have touched the wellspring of love in their hearts and chosen to express it in service to those around them. You may be world famous, Michael, but today we honor you simply as someone who acts from the heart-someone who showers affection on his friends and colleagues, who finds sympathy and understanding for those who disagree with him, and who cares deeply for the sufferings of the earth and the many struggling people who inhabit it.
We firmly believe that it is this love-filled heart and the commitment to follow its urgings that has produced all the good work you have been able to do around the world. And we also know that the commitments of the heart are powerful enough to weather the kind of hardships you have encountered-prison, lifelong financial sacrifice, public criticism, and even dangerous attacks by militants on your home.
Sullivan Ballou was someone who looked deeply into his heart and chose to freely give up his life out of love for his country. He followed the guidance of his heart. You have done the same, and that is the most and the finest that can be expected of any person. We are honored to be able to recognize you in this small way.
On a more personal note, we are deeply grateful for the guidance and clarity you have given us in our political and spiritual evolution from observers to activists. You have taught us that our spirituality and our politics need not be separate.
Congratulations!
Elissa and Bruce Peterson, Founding Members