The Politics of Meaning is a movement that blends politics with spirituality. Started by Michael Lerner, editor of the progressive Jewish journal Tikkun and founder of the Foundation for Ethics and Meaning, the Politics of Meaning movement attempts to provide a response to the growing skepticism and alienation that American citizens feel in a society that worships profit and in a culture where a sense of shared responsibility and community is eroding. This week, over a thousand people are attending the first national conference here in Washington D.C. Here’s an excerpt of a speech by Michael Lerner in which he explains his concept of a politics of meaning and its importance in this era of conservative domination.