In a world where mind is so important, heart has to be even stronger! I would like to offer strong heart training to the world:) and design a curriculum of practical compassion for adults and children. How to, in essence navigate life and relationships in all our contexts, personal, social and professional in loving ways. What do you think should be part of such a curriculum?
If we, want to get serious about solving global issues of loneliness, injustice, poverty, oppression and violence, we must start teaching Compassion everywhere. Compassion is mentioned in every religion, yet when the religion is taught, compassion becomes the last focus. It comes out as: “o yeah, and he was a very kind man..” thus religion’s identity creation potential is used most to create upstanding and socially obedient children. Same within the context of the school and college system. We learn all kinds of facts and critical thinking skills except emotional mastery. That is sort of assumed as part of the journey. But, what if we could teach compassion, how to practice it and how to strengthen ourselves from inside as part of a traditional school curriculum?
Practical compassion is the essence of all spiritual paths, thus it is not a new discovery at all, however human beings have paid far too more attention to factual knowledge rather than functional wisdom–i.e., how to exist as a human being in society and have a happy and successful life.
Compassion is a common thread among all wisdom on the planet and some consider it the hallmark of a just and peaceful society. It is considered sacred in all parts of the world, yet it is taught differently. In some parts of the world it is not taught as a personal practice, but within a collective identity. This makes practicing compassion towards all a little more challenging. Because you aren’t just responsible for your own behaviour, you are now responsible for everyone else’s problems also. It is hard to compassionate if you aren’t even sure if you are allowed to be you. First you have to know who you are, practice compassion towards yourself, then you can start to practice compassion towards others.
In some other social contexts, compassion is about giving donations or alms, rather than a living practice for human growth and happiness. I’ve seen compassion being considered a weakness and its opposite meanness being considered a strength–because meanness creates distance between people whereas compassion creates connection. Even if we aspire for independence and self-reliance, or power and success, the path of power is compassion and a clear mind.
Being compassionate in fact opens up more possibilities, more solutions than its opposite–fear. Fear based social transactions and exchanges create stress responses and lowers trust. In organizations especially, environments that lack compassion, create distrust and ultimately sabotage the objectives of the organization. Whether large or small, the key to success in any endeavour is compassion. Bullying does not in any way lead to success in controlling others. The only thing that happens is that people stop speaking the truth.
Choosing the path of fear, anger and misery just to keep in control cannot possibly lead to success at the end of the road. The road most likely is endless and leads to more of the same.
For adults, how do we unlearn what we have learnt? how do we tap into the power of compassion instead of the power of fear? how long will it take to find happiness once we start practicing compassion? what are the benefits of this way? And for children, how can they practice compassion around adults who are not compassionate towards them?
Practical compassion–i.e., how to practice compassion should be a course available everywhere. It should be an integrated practice that draws from many great scholars and writers who have studied compassion psychologically, spiritually, mystics, practically or within the social sciences. I also would like to look at societies and cultures where compassion is more important than competition and how they live and solve everyday problems. But most interestingly, the course would offer practical, functional training in compassion.
I can see that it may be of benefit to teach meditation as part of this course and to facilitate the exploration the psyche in more depth through guided visualizations and hypnosis where needed.