Beach Boys Singer Reveals How The Band Taught Him Gratitude In ORIGIN Magazine

The following is an excerpt from ORIGIN Magazine.

Interviewer: Maranda Pleasant

Maranda Pleasant: What makes you come most alive?

Mike Love: The joy on the faces of our audience. Watching young children sharing the love of our music with their parents and grandparents is the ultimate reward for our efforts. Very humbling.

MP: If you could say something to everyone on the planet, what would it be?

ML: Keep a cool head and a warm heart. A mantra that became a song, inspired by the wise words of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. If we all take the time to listen and love each other, this world would be a better place.

MP: How do you keep your center in the middle of chaos?

ML: Since learning Transcendental Meditation from Maharishi in December 1967, it has been a valuable practice which has enabled me to go through some very stressful life experiences while remaining centered.

MP: What makes you vulnerable?

ML: Because of the inherent challenges of life on the earth, all of humanity is vulnerable. This is all the more reason to seek the kingdom of heaven within and find the peace that leads to understanding.

MP: What's your biggest passion or project right now?

ML: For years, I have been writing and recording music that has never been released. Lately, I have been motivated to share with everyone. As a songwriter, your songs are, in a way, like your children -- you want them to be appreciated.

MP: What causes are you most involved with? Why?

ML: Beginning this summer, I have decided to spotlight the efforts of City Year, an organization that mentors kids who are at risk of dropping out of school and never reaching their full potential. I’m making a year-long commitment to City Year. The service that city year volunteers provide is of enormous value to our society. I applaud all organizations involved in the service of education.

I’ve always been very involved with environmental issues. I was fortunate to be one of the speakers at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero some years back, and Bruce Johnson and I served on the board of the Surfrider Foundation here at home. Locally and globally, we need to be doing everything we can to help Mother Earth.

MP: What's one of the biggest lessons you've learned from being a part of a legendary band?

ML: I learned that when you do the best job that you can do, some people will idolize you, others won't care and some will vilify you. I believe it is important to remain humble and thankful for the blessings in our lives, for the tremendous opportunities that are a result of our musical success.

MP: What's been your greatest struggle?

ML: To coexist while watching the people I love choose less than life-supporting paths via drugs, alcohol or poor lifestyle decisions. There is so much to life; my heart breaks watching someone held captive by addiction.

MP: What would you like your personal legacy to be?

ML: On a personal level, I would like my loved ones to know that I have always done the best that I could to demonstrate my love, and worked hard to provide them with a sense of security. On a more global level, I would like to see that my efforts, whether with the Beach Boys or as an individual, achieve as much benefit to humanity as possible during my lifetime. Peace and love!

ORIGIN is the conscious culture national print magazine bringing together art, yoga, music, humanitarianism, and sustainability to shift the planet for good. Twenty percent of our editorial is donated to nonprofits impacting the planet. You can find ORIGIN in Whole Foods, Barnes and Noble, Pharmacas, Central Markets and 15+ other National retailers.