Ultimately the essence of who we are is spiritual. We are all connected. To reiterate, we are 'meaning-seeking' beings who like to make sense of what happens to us. If we are prevented from doing this, or are unable to find meaning, this can be a root of stress, distress and unhappiness and can ultimately lead to a sense of alienation and ill health. When we look at the critical issues facing us in more detail, the issues outlined below appear to be some of the most important. They provide a starting point for a dialogue and for the actions I suggest we take: