Speakers Series: Living Compassion Inside and Out
Last month, the Dalai Lama Center concluded its spring Speakers Series. With six different speakers, each with a unique background and perspective, we saw many variations on the theme of "Living Compassion Inside and Out." From the home to the classroom to the office, we explored the countless ways we can bring compassion into our lives. Participation and support of the events has been truly appreciated, and we are happy to bring you the audio and video podcasts of these engaging dialogues. We hope that you will join us for our fall-winter series.
- Lynn Green
President and CEO
Dr. Mark Greenberg opened the season with his talk "Developing Mindfulness in Families, Schools and Youth". The evening brought Dr. Greenberg together with his wife Christa Turksma and local educator Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl to talk about how mindful training can play an important role in youth development.
“Development processes are important and the earlier you start to build a sense of caring and compassion, the more likely people are to carry that with them throughout their lives,” he says.
In his talk, Dr. Greenberg shared how mindful practices, such as meditation or yoga, can help children handle their negative thoughts and battle anxiety or depression.
Jack Miller came to Vancouver in March for his talk "Educating for Wisdom and Compassion". For Miller, the development of wisdom and compassion should become a central aim in education through a holistic curriculum. Through this development, children can begin to see that all things, and all people, are connected.
"For me, living compassion inside and out means seeing how we are all connected. By 'we', I mean all sentient beings," says Miller. "When we see this connectedness, a natural compassion arises and we become deeply concerned for the well-being of others. This concern leads then to compassionate action to relieve suffering."
The Speakers Series then turned its gaze to the inner workings of community and its role in developing compassion. Rev. Ric Matthews and Jannet Ann Nordemann shared their vast experience of working with people whose lives have been changed by sharing a "sacred space" with people who make up their community.
Their talk, "Living Compassion in Community" allowed Rev. Matthews to share the work he does in the Downtown Eastside at First United Church, and Nordemann was able to discuss her "Canadians for Compassion" project, which is uniting Canadians from coast to coast by showing them the power of compassion.
For "The Power of Giving, Compassion and Hope", the Dalai Lama Center welcomed back Dr. Stephen Post, who had first participated in the Speaker Series back in 2008.
"It was wonderful to return after three long years and discover that the Dalai Lama Center, Victor Chan and all the staff there are still going strong in bringing a message of compassion, forgiveness and peace to the world," says Dr. Post.
He brought his own message to the event. He shared the power of what he calls "the giver's glow", or that feeling we get when we contribute to the well-being of someone else. He showed that all the evidence suggests that when we're helping others, we're actually helping ourselves.
"It was wonderful to return after three long years and discover that the Dalai Lama Center, Victor Chan and all the staff there are still going strong in bringing a message of compassion, forgiveness and peace to the world," says Dr. Post.
He brought his own message to the event. He shared the power of what he calls "the giver's glow", or that feeling we get when we contribute to the well-being of someone else. He showed that all the evidence suggests that when we're helping others, we're actually helping ourselves.
The spring Speakers Series was concluded with Dr. Daniel Siegel speaking at the event "Mindsight: Brain Science and Transformation for You and Your Relationships". He brought his own take on the theme of "Living Compassion Inside and Out".
"Compassion is our kind regard for self, or the inside, and others, the out," says Dr. Siegel. "In many ways, compassion and kindness are integration made visible. What this means is that when we honour the differences in others and then link to them with compassionate concern, we promote interpersonal integration. Harmony arises from integration and fills our life with compassion and kindness from the inside out."
Dr. Siegel explained how Mindsight – the ability for the mind to see itself – can play a crucial role in our lives. He also shared how few people in the medical practice focus on the mind. When the evening opened up for a Q and A with Dr. Siegel, he was delighted to be able to respond to such a knowledgeable audience.
"It was great to have time to interact with the audience, whose questions were very deep, sophisticated, and insightful," says Dr. Siegel. "What a joy! Some of the issues that came up felt quite profound, and I had the inner sense that our conversation was bringing each of us to some new and illuminating places."
"Compassion is our kind regard for self, or the inside, and others, the out," says Dr. Siegel. "In many ways, compassion and kindness are integration made visible. What this means is that when we honour the differences in others and then link to them with compassionate concern, we promote interpersonal integration. Harmony arises from integration and fills our life with compassion and kindness from the inside out."
Dr. Siegel explained how Mindsight – the ability for the mind to see itself – can play a crucial role in our lives. He also shared how few people in the medical practice focus on the mind. When the evening opened up for a Q and A with Dr. Siegel, he was delighted to be able to respond to such a knowledgeable audience.
"It was great to have time to interact with the audience, whose questions were very deep, sophisticated, and insightful," says Dr. Siegel. "What a joy! Some of the issues that came up felt quite profound, and I had the inner sense that our conversation was bringing each of us to some new and illuminating places."
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