SPROUTS FROM THE SEEDS OF COMPASSION
Programs inspired by the Seeds of Compassion event
Many programs have sprouted out of the Seeds of Compassion event,inspired ny and carrying on the goals and ideals that brought us all together. We will be highlingting them here on this page.
Think about Compassionate Action Network as the "sprouts of compassion." Compassion is much more than feelings of empathy toward others. Compassion is an entirely different way of acting. CAN aims to focus attention on what we do in the world, in all of our institutions – schools, families, neighborhoods, foundations, community organizations and other nonprofits, small businesses and corporations, hospitals, unions and professional associations, prisons and halfway houses, faith and spiritual communities, government (city councils, state legislatures and legislators, Congress and national lawmakers), and the military – to adopt and promote compassion as our guiding principle.
Bellingham Compassion Movement
The Bellingham Compassion Movement grew out of the Seeds of Compassion event which drew over 150,000 people to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other spiritual leaders talk about compassion. Seeds planted in April 2008 took root and have grown into a bounteous harvest of programs and offerings for the Bellingham community and beyond.
Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression among school children by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy.
The Wisdom Commons is an interactive website that seeks to elevate our shared moral core, sometimes called universal ethics. It is a place to find and discuss information about virtues that human beings generally agree are important like generosity, compassion and courage. As a user or member, you can search or input quotes, proverbs, meditations, stories, and essays from many traditions.
Daniel Bagley Elementary, K-1 Public Montessori class
"My students waited silently for close to an hour and a half for the Dalai Lama to arrive on stage. They were awe struck when he appeared... I was blown away by their patience and serenity. They walked out of the event with a genuine understanding of their responsibility as the appointed "Seeds of Compassion"... My students now use "compassion" as a daily word in their vocabulary, along with empathy, honesty, cooperation, love, etc."
—Robin Norton, Teacher
