I just finished reading the book "Presence" and I can already tell that it will have a profound and lasting impact on the way I think.

The book is very profound and it will take months, possibly years to fully digest but it is one of the single most important books that I have read in a long time because it addresses some of the biggest challenges facing all of us and it really expanded my understanding of what we are up against and what is required to change the world for the better. 

Some key learnings that I took away:

1) The world and science is too fragmented and we must learn to think of the entire systems and "the whole." 
2) We must focus on the fundamental problems and stop "shifting the burden" and stop applying quick fixes.
3) Creative breakthroughs and deeper understandings can easier emerge when we learn to quiet the mind (meditate) and lead from the heart
4) We must continue to develop our awareness of the problems that we face and make the right choices as individuals

The last point also reminds me of a conversation that I had with a friend over lunch last week.  Why do so many 'smart' and educated people continue to fail to make the right decisions that would be in the best interest?

Examples:
* How many educated people don't recycle?
* How many educated people continue eating junk food even though they would never fill up their car with junk fuel?
* How many educated people keep driving SUVs even while global warming is a real problem facing all of us?

It is not for a lack of awareness that educated people continue to do all of the above...