We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place — or not to bother - Jane Goodall

And so began one of the most exciting periods of my life, the time of discovery.

Of course, a great deal of our onslaught on Mother Nature is not really lack of intelligence but a lack of compassion for future generations and the health of the planet: sheer selfish greed for short-term benefits to increase the wealth and power of individuals, corporations and governments. The rest is due to thoughtlessness, lack of education, and poverty. In other words, there seems to be a disconnect between our clever brain and our compassionate heart. True wisdom requires both thinking with our head and understanding with our heart.

The Buddhists believe that we can be reincarnated as animals-it depends on where we are on the path toward enlightenment. And, of course, both Hinduism and Buddhism believe in karma-if you suffer misfortune, you are paying for sins you did in a previous life.