Last week I attended a talk given by the Dalai Lama on the subject of facing challenges with compassion and wisdom. What an amazing story this man has! As leader of the Tibetan people, he was exiled from his homeland while in his twenties, yet he has handled his life with grace. He says, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
According to the dictionary, compassion means “to suffer with,” in other words to identify with another so much that we have a desire to alleviate any suffering they may have. Practicing compassion is about kindness, understanding, and forgiveness. It is similar to the Golden Rule, which is at the heart of all religious traditions.Karen Armstrong is a winner of the 2008 TED prize, which grants wishes big enough to change the world. She has used her prize to start a global movement called the Charter for Compassion, aiming to spread kindness throughout the world. The actual Charter is a one page document calling us to restore compassion to the center of morality and religion.Lensmaster lizberesford has written a thoughtful article on the Charter for Compassion. She asks, “Could it be that individuals practicing compassion might stem the flow of evil in the world?” Besides asking thoughtful questions, Liz gives some background on Karen Armstrong, her journey to developing the Charter and what she hopes to accomplish. The Charter for Compassion has a website where people can affirm the Charter and share their acts of compassion. So far, more than 45,000 people have signed on and, not surprisingly, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, is one of them.Compassion is closely related to empathy. Yesterday on Twitter I read a quote which has stuck with me since. “Empathy is the invisible hand.” How are you practicing compassion and empathy?Visit: The Charter for Compassion
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ReplyDeleteGreat review of an incredible lens! I'm familiar with the lens and with Karen Armstrong and I totally agree with the spread of kindness and compassion around the world. I really do think that if we all stopped and responded to people and situations with compassion, understanding, kindness and forgiveness (rather than reacting in anger, ego, defensiveness, etc.), we could completely change the world.
ReplyDeleteAnd compassion follows from appreciation, right Leanne?
ReplyDeleteKim, what wonderful thoughts you present in your review and the article about the Charter For Compassion just moved me to tears. What a remarkable woman!
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Than you for featuring my Lens and thereby helping to spread the word on this initiative. I was surprised to hear that my Lens was featured- you made my day!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Compassion is a gift that everyone can give. It's a gift that gives a sense of well-being and happiness to both the giver and the receiver. If we operate on the notion that all of us are fighting our own battle, it makes it so easy to be loving and kind. ...Love The Charter For Compassion, Kim. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of the Charter For Compassion -- if there is one thing the world cannot have enough of, it surely must be compassion. And what an experience it must have been to be present at a talk by the Dalai Lama himself. Someone who is compassion personified.
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine the thrill of listening to the Dalai Lama speak, simply wonderful you have shared your experience here and also found a lens that spotlights compassion. Thank you Kim.
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