Toward a Compassionate Society
By The Left Shue
Tue Mar 04, 2008 at 11:01:59 AM PST
Section: Diary
Topic: Peace
As Progressives we are hoping to see a world that no longer chooses war over diplomacy, corporate profits over the health and well being of the people, or individual convenience over the health and well being of the very planet we all share. And while many are working in a variety of ways to achieve these goals, I would suggest that the one common thread that must be woven through all that we do is the promotion of a compassionate society. And obviously the most important element of promoting a compassionate society is reaching out to the children and exposing them to the possibility of inheriting and maintaining such a future. To this end I am truly excited to pass along news of an upcoming event that should be on the calendar of all who seek a compassionate society:
Dalai Lama to Launch Global Compassion Movement
April 11- 15 in Seattle
SEATTLE - Jan. 23, 2008 - Seeds of Compassion, an initiative dedicated to focusing
world attention on the importance of social and emotional development of children, today
announced that it has arranged to add an extra day to His Holiness the 14th Dalai
Lama's visit to Seattle in April.
For five days, from April 11-15, 2008, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will join other global
dignitaries to participate in a series of events that will engage the hearts and minds of
our community by highlighting the vision, science, and programs of early social,
emotional, and cognitive learning.
The five-day Seattle visit by the Dalai Lama is unprecedented. It is the Dalai Lama's
only scheduled event dedicated solely to the future of America's children and his only
planned visit to the West Coast in 2008.
For a complete list of the trainings over the five days of this historic even can be found
here. Below, I present a brief summary of the schedule:
FRIDAY, APRIL 11 - DAY OF REVIEW AND LEARNING
9:00 - 11:00 am, Location
The Scientific Basis for Compassion: What We Know Now & What We All Can Do
His Holiness the Dalai Lama joins a panel of leading researchers to discuss the quantitative benefits of compassion.
12:30 - 2:30 pm, Location TBD
From Knowledge to Compassion Action: What We All Can Do
Leaders in the area of compassion and empathy will be joined by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in a wide ranging discussion of how parents and educators can bring compassion into the lives of children and families.
Saturday, April 12 - Compassion in Action
11:00 am -3:00 pm, Qwest Field West Plaza
Resource Fair
Visit 120 resource booths that explore the vision, science and programs of early social, emotional and cognitive learning. Area organizations and programs will have booths so you can learn more about compassion and how to bring positive energy to your community.
11:00 am -12:30 am, WaMu Theater
Workshop: Compassion at Home, in Schools and the Community
Leading experts discuss compassion's role in the home, school, and community.
1:00 pm, The Procession of Cultures
1:30 - 3:00 pm, Qwest Field
Compassion in Action at Qwest Field
Join His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other luminaries at Qwest Field for a celebration of Compassion in action.
Communities are invited to join at QWEST field for a celebration of compassion. Experience a full day of compassionate activities including wide array of cultural expressions of compassion through music, art, dance, spoken word, movement and the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is a day of connection, education and sharing with others to broaden our understanding of compassion and gathering the tools to share it with others.
Sunday, April 13 - Compassion in Action Workshops & Dialogues
10:00 am - 7:30 pm, Seattle Center Northwest Rooms and other facilities
Twenty-five workshops to bring together individuals dedicated to promoting compassion. Topics include workshops on parenting, education, and public policy.
10:30 am - 12:00 pm, Bagley Wright Theater
Compassion in Giving: The Importance of Philanthropic Support of Social and Emotional & Early Childhood Learning
Join His Holiness the Dalai Lama and fellow luminaries for a discussion of the role that philanthropy plays in supporting the emotional and intellectual growth of children. Learn how your contributions, especially time and expertise, make a significant difference in the community.
Monday, April 14 - Children & Youth Day
10:45 am - 12:00 pm, Key Arena
Children & Youth Day
A day specifically for children and youth, created by children and youth. Over 16,000 children and youth, along with teachers and chaperones, will be bused from their schools to the Seattle Center. Participants will enter the Seattle Center together and spend the day sharing expressions of the What Does Compassion Looks LikeTM campaign, attending youth performances and programs, visiting booths created by children and youth, and learning about compassion from leaders including His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
11:30 am - 12:45 pm, Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center
Business Leaders and Policy Makers Luncheon
This is a first-of-its-kind luncheon as business and public policy leaders are invited to learn how businesses can successfully implement compassionate practices in the workplace and how those actions benefit to clients, employees, investors as well as the community. Rajendra Sisodia, author of Firms of Endearment and Howard Behar, author of It' Not About the Coffee are the scheduled speakers.
1:00 - 2:30 pm, McCaw Hall
Discussion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Results of Compassion Forums and Business and Policy Luncheon
Immediately following the luncheon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will engage the audience, sharing his perspective on how to foster compassion in the workplace and community.
Tuesday, April 15 - Youth and Spiritual Connection Day
10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Bank of America Pavilion, University of Washington
InterSpiritual Panel Discussion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Concluding the five days of the Seeds of Compassion event, this session focuses on the common theme of compassion that lies at the heart of the world's spiritual traditions. This special panel discussion will feature His Holiness the Dalai Lama and several other leading spiritual leaders as they talk about the themes common to all spiritual traditions.
InterSpirituality Panel Discussion, 2nd Session
Following the final session with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, several local and national spiritual and religious leaders will join Rabbi David Rosen and other key spiritual leaders continuing a discussion on the most practical ways to implement compassion in our daily lives.
2:00 - 6:00 pm, Seattle Center Northwest Rooms
Compassion Workshops and Forums
To further the exploration of spirituality and compassion, a series of workshops, forums and roundtable discussions will be held. These varying dialogues will enable the community to come together in a full discussion as to how to implement spirituality and compassion in our lives and communities. Participants will have opportunities to exchange ideas and develop plans on how to increase mutual understanding while putting compassionate goals into practice.
While all of the activities over the five days of training and sharing are free to the general public, tickets are required. You may obtain tickets here.
Oh, did I mention the Dave Matthews concert?
A CONCERT FOR COMPASSION
An Acoustic Evening with Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds
On April 11, 2008, please join us for an inspirational evening of dialogue and acoustic music to benefit Seeds of Compassion.
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds will be performing in celebration of the historic visit to Seattle of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other compassion leaders to bring global attention to the importance of nurturing kindness and compassion in the world, starting with children and all those who touch their lives.
Prior to the concert, Dave Matthews will be joined by His Holiness for an intimate dialogue on the role of music in building bridges between cultures, races and religions They will discuss how the emotions experienced through music can unify people and generate compassion worldwide. All ticket holders for the benefit concert can also attend the dialogue.
Get your tickets to the Concert for Compassion by becoming a Compassion Ambassador and sponsoring Seeds of Compassion!
Sponsorship packages start at $1,000 and include many benefits, including select floor seating at the Concert for Compassion, an invitation to a backstage reception before the concert and passes to other select Seeds of Compassion events.
This unprecedented experience will truly be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many. I hope that all who read this will join me and be a part of this historic event.
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue