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HEART-MIND 2014: We Are All Built For Altruism
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-06-04 13:31

By Matthew ClarkeOne of the highlights at Heart-Mind 2014 was the talk by Felix Warneken. Felix is a German-trained researcher whose work I was very excited to hear about. He is studying the roots of altruism. And most interestingly, he is finding that the prevailing wisdom - that children are innately selfish and must be taught how to be considerate - is wrong. more

Heart-Mind Challenge: Solving Problems Peacefully
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-06-03 10:02

 What is the quality? Learning to solve problems peacefully involves many social and emotional skills and is strongly linked to the quality of “getting along with others.” Unlike conflict avoidance, compliance, disengagement or coercion, solving problems peacefully means using empathy, problem-solving skills, understanding other points of view and actively coming up with strategies to make things right in a fair way. more

HEART-MIND 2014: The Five Ways To Promote Kindness
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-06-02 13:36

By Matthew Clarke more

HEART-MIND 2014: The "Brainstorm"
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-06-01 13:41

By Matthew ClarkeRight before lunchbreak on day 2 of the conference, Dan Siegel dropped by, via the power of technology, to discuss the research in his new book, “Brainstorm” all about the changes in the adolescent brain.  more

HEART-MIND 2014: Kindness' Life-Altering Effects
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-06-01 13:26

By Matthew Clarke  Day Two  of Heart-Mind 2014 opened with a charming video of a bunch of elementary school kids being asked what kindness is. Needless to say, it was adorable, hilarious and poignant. I know all too well the ability of children to accidentally stumble onto a truth that so perfectly captures the essence of a topic. You can watch this great video here. more

HEART-MIND 2014: Setting the Stage
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-05-26 13:22

By Matthew ClarkeThe Conference began on an idyllic Vancouver spring evening. Opening the festivities was a performance by a Vancouver based youth dance collective aptly named, “The Heart Mind Body Collective.” They gave a passionate performance to a spoken word piece called “Instructions For a Bad Day” by acclaimed and ever-inspiring spoken word poet, Shane Koyczan, which was underscored by a driving, uplifting musical score.  more

Heart-Mind Challenge: Compassionate and Kind
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-05-26 09:10

What does it mean to be “Compassionate and Kind?”  Etymologically, compassion means ‘to suffer together’. From this sharing in suffering comes the motivation to help relieve the suffering of others. By taking action in some way, for example, wishing it were different for someone, sitting with someone who has just received bad news or providing a meal to someone in need, we are less likely to become overwhelmed by seeing the distress of others. As we enhance our ability to really see and feel what is around us, our ability to experience compassion grows. more

HEART-MIND 2014: The ...Science of Kindness?
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-05-21 13:11

By Matthew ClarkeHeart-Mind 2014: The Science of Kindness. I was already looking forward to returning to this year’s conference, as I had attended the 2013 version and loved it. But the theme of this year’s event grabbed my interest especially. There was a wonderful juxtaposition to it. Kindness is not something I immediately think of as a scientific concept. It’s something that feels better left to art or philosophy and much less at home in a laboratory. more

Heart-Mind Challenge: Getting Along With Others
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-05-16 11:23

What is the quality “Gets Along with Others”? When children get along with others they demonstrate the ability to form positive and healthy relationships with peers and adults.  As they interact and play with others, children learn the skills (such as managing their emotions) needed to develop and maintain successful relationships. more

HEART-MIND 2014: In Your Own Words
Posted by Dalai Lama Center on 2014-05-14 09:59

This year’s Heart-Mind 2014 conference attendees definitely connected with the importance of Heart-Mind Learning (Social and Emotional Learning) conveying that it is more than just a teachable concept or theory, but a movement. @tjvbeaton tweeted, “...Most powerful conference of my year once again #HeartMind2014”. more