John Sherman spoke of fearlessness and compassion at the most recent Year of Service event on Feb. 25 at Moorpark College.
His talk focused on looking in one’s self to find the better “you.”
“It’s a fact that’s it’s in our nature to be affected by the suffering of others,” said Sherman. “But when we help a fellow human it’s also to help ourselves to avoid us suffering through the suffering of others.”
The Year of Service (YOS) is this year’s theme for Moorpark College. It is meant to acknowledge those who serve humanity within our students and faculty according to English professor Kathryn Adams, co-chair of YOS, and Sherman is no exception.
The former inmate was once on the FBI’s 10 most wanted list when he escaped from a 30-year sentence with the help of his wife. After his recapture, and another 15 years in prison, Sherman said he discovered his inner peace and learned how to love without condition. It was then that he decided to teach others.
Students who attended the lecture found that it gave them something to think about.
“His view to help others in order to help yourself is not a bad idea. Ultimately, we do everything we can to better ourselves,” said Alicia Rodriguez, a 20-year-old mathematics major at Moorpark. “Overall I saw another point of view and enjoyed it.”
More information on John Sherman and his unique ideology can be found at his website: www.riverganga.org.