Washblog || Toward a Compassionate Society

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 Like^TM 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

< Seattle Port profits from environment, neighborhoods | Amazed that so many Democrats are willing to get rid of caucuses >

Toward a Compassionate Society | 2 comments (2 topical)

Thanks very much for this.

I submitted a request for tickets to 2 events, Maybe I will get lucky.

by dinazina on Tue Mar 04, 2008 at 09:38:13 PM PST

* 1 none 0 *

need for more compassion, less politics as usual

It is often easy to forget the need for compassion when we get too wrapped up in politics of the moment.

MrSandman has a great diary on dKos tonight titled "In Jesus' Name, Just Help Me Get Some Food" about a well dressed older man he met on the streets of New York, who he thought was panhandling, but didn't want money because he was desperately hungry and just wanted and needed food.

As MrSandman notes, "I'm sick of knowing that being hungry is a reality for far too many people. I'm sick of hearing Hillary-bashing and Obama-baiting when there are so many problems to be solved. I didn't ask if the man supported Obama or Clinton or was outraged at racist photo-manipulations and sexist barriers. I didn't ask whether he needed healthcare or wanted NAFTA reshaped. I did what I could. I bought him a meal."

Kind of says it all, doesn't it....

by Cherisse on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 06:36:57 PM PST

* 2 none 0 *

Toward a Compassionate Society | 2 comments (2 topical)

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