Seeds of Compassion with the Dalai Lama - Recommended by Katie Davis

This morning, I would like to draw your attention to an extraordinary program that is based in Washington State. In April, they are gathering 15,000 school children, educators statewide, parents, caregivers, and civic leaders at Qwest Field with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This program with be broadcast on the internet in 24 languages worldwide.

A second Children's Day at Seattle Center's Key Arena will gather thousands of children to dialogue on kindness, empathy, and compassion.

Another day follows, Science Day, when the Dalai Lama and leading researchers will be presenting the proven brain science showing that nurturing kindness and compassion throughout childhood can have a profound and positive impact on the lives of our children, families, schools, communities, and society at large and how it can be incorporated every day of our lives in simple ways.

Seeds of Compassion is based on an award winning, evidence based classroom program named Roots of Empathy that was launched in Canada in 1996 by Mary Gordon that scientically proved the dramatic impact that compassion has on reducing violence and agression while developing social/emotional competence. Roots of Empathy was launced this fall in 10 classrooms grades 1-6 in the Seattle and Kent School Districts, the first in the United States to offer the program.

True and lasting fulfillment is the only answer and it seems Seeds of Compassion is pointing the way.

In my book, Awake Joy, I offer two chapters on the conditioned child and conscious parenting and also point to compassion, gratitude, selfless service, and unconditional love as a powerful practice to turn the mind's life around to the open way of the Heart. A practice that can be offered through simple gestures every day.

I am thrilled to discover this program and the potential that it might have to surrender suffering for ourselves, our families, our schools, the workplace, the world's religions and even the living earth, its creatures and environment.

Please forward this message to anyone who may be interested and go to their website. I notice that are many ways to volunteer for this four day event. I stumbled upon the website by accident today on the internet. As a former secondary school educator, mother of four grown children and two grandchildren who will be soon entering the public school system, I am so grateful to hear of this program.

Katie Davis Website: www.katiedavis.org