I had an enlightening conversation with Pei Su, the author of “Life of Pei: The Battle for Compassion.” This episode delves into Pei’s motivations for writing her book, her personal journey, and her advocacy for animal rights, social justice, and environmental protection. Pei shares her experiences growing up, the challenges she faced, and the importance of community in effecting change. Here, we break down the key insights and actionable advice from the episode to guide listeners and readers in their own advocacy efforts.
Listen to the episode:
Understanding the Motivation Behind “Life of Pei”
The Vision of a Compassionate World
Pei’s book is driven by her vision of a compassionate world for animals, people, and the environment. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of issues like animal abuse, human conflict, and environmental crises. Often, society seeks quick fixes or views problems in isolation, but Pei encourages readers to see the bigger picture and understand the interconnectedness of these issues.
The Title: “The Battle for Compassion”
The title of Pei’s book reflects her challenging childhood and the struggles she faced. Witnessing her mother fight for their family’s survival and losing both parents at a young age instilled in her a deep empathy for the voiceless and vulnerable. This empathy extends to women facing domestic violence and animals lacking justice and care. Pei’s current work involves fighting for funding and facing challenges from corporations, highlighting that life often feels like a battleground.
The Role of Buddhism in Pei’s Journey
Finding Solace in the Buddhist Community
Pei found solace in the Buddhist community, which teaches compassion and empathy. However, her journey has been unique. Losing her parents before turning 17 led to significant depression, and Buddhism helped her find meaning in life. While the Asian Buddhist community emphasizes compassion, it often manifests as personal change rather than collective activism. Pei’s advocacy for animals began later, inspired by a female monk who campaigned for animal rights in the 1980s.
The Challenges of Activism
Conducting Investigations and Protests
Pei recounts the terrifying experience of conducting investigations and protests over 30 years ago in Taiwan, a time when the country was still under martial law. Protesting was risky, and the fear of repercussions was real. Despite the fear, Pei and her group pressed on, believing in their cause and having the courage to speak out.
Advice for Aspiring Activists
Pei emphasizes the importance of perseverance and belief in one’s cause. She also highlights the power of collaboration, as individuals and organizations perpetuating injustice often work together. Building a community around your cause is essential, and celebrating small victories can help maintain motivation.
The Importance of Education in Advocacy
ActAsia and the Caring for Life Program
Pei founded ActAsia in 2006, focusing on education as a means to create lasting change. The Caring for Life program teaches children aged 6 to 12 about kindness, respect, and global responsibility. By educating children about empathy and compassion towards animals, Pei believes they can make informed choices and foster a more compassionate future.
Longitudinal Study and Positive Results
ActAsia conducted a longitudinal study with the City University of New York to evaluate the impact of the Caring for Life education. The study followed the same group of children for three years, observing changes in their attitudes and behaviors. While anecdotal evidence of success exists, the formal results of the study are eagerly anticipated.
The Power of Community and Collaboration
Building Relationships and Partnerships
Pei emphasizes the importance of relationships and friendships in advocacy work. Success is rarely the result of one person’s efforts; it’s about the collective. Communicating the need for help and recognizing that everyone can contribute in various ways is crucial. Partnerships are vital, as highlighted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which emphasize collaboration across different stakeholders and beliefs.
Addressing Cultural Differences
Pei’s international experience has given her a unique perspective on cultural differences. She notes that approaches to issues can vary significantly between cultures. Understanding the cultural and socio-political contexts when working in different countries is essential. Viewing movements through a historical lens can also provide valuable insights and prevent the reinvention of the wheel.
Personal Resilience and Compassion
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Pei shares her personal experience with cancer, revealing that she was diagnosed shortly after completing her manuscript. Despite the challenges, she emphasizes the importance of compassion, both for oneself and for others. The support she received during her treatment deepened her understanding of compassion and resilience.
Encouraging Self-Compassion
Pei concludes by encouraging listeners to recognize their own capacity for change, even in difficult times. She shares a poignant lesson from a nutritionist during her treatment: to be kind to oneself and take things one step at a time.
Conclusion
Pei’s journey and insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring activists and advocates. Her emphasis on education, community, and collaboration provides a roadmap for creating meaningful change. By understanding the root causes of issues, persevering in the face of challenges, and fostering compassion in future generations, we can work towards a more compassionate world.
6 Simple Ideas to Make a Difference:
- Understand the Bigger Picture: Recognize the interconnectedness of issues like animal abuse, human conflict, and environmental crises.
- Persevere and Believe in Your Cause: Stay motivated and believe in the importance of your advocacy work.
- Build a Community: Collaborate with others and celebrate small victories to maintain motivation.
- Focus on Education: Educate future generations about empathy and compassion to create lasting change.
- Recognize Cultural Differences: Understand the cultural and socio-political contexts when working in different countries.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and take things one step at a time, especially during challenging times.
By following these actionable takeaways, we can all contribute to a more compassionate and just world. Pei’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and education in driving meaningful change.
Buy the Book & Contact Pei:
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Pei-Battle-Compassion-Feng/dp/1590567285
- Email: PeiSu@ACTAsia.org
- ACTAsia Website: www.ACTAsia.org
- Instagram: @ACTAsia
- Facebook: @ACTAsiaEducation
- LinkedIn: @ACTAsia
- Donate: www.ACTAsia.org/donate/
Watch the episode:
Closed captioning transcript included in video. Subscribe on YouTube.
About Pei Su:
Pei, the founder and CEO of ACTAsia, is a Chinese sociologist and has nearly 30 years’ international experience in the field of human well-being, animal welfare, veterinary education, wildlife legislation and environmental science.
ACTAsia is a multifaceted charity that believes in education to drive long term sustainable change. We focus on the need to educate Asian children, consumers and professionals to be kinder towards animals, to show respect for people and to protect the environment.
