Thomas Merton wrote, “Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things.”

Meeting regularly with a spiritual director contributes to building a capacity for compassion in our communities. By nurturing compassion in ourselves and each other, we participate in moving the world toward peace.

On Thursday, November 18, 2010, The Charter for Compassion celebrates a one-year anniversary and features an incredible line-up of speakers with a live webcast of TEDPrize at the United Nations. The webcast will be available on the Charter site to view on demand.

Charter for Compassion
On November 12, 2009, author Karen Armstrong and a global group of collaborators unveiled an international initiative to promote compassion. Armstrong is a TED [Technology, Education, Design] award winner with the following wish, “I wish that you would help with the creation, launch and propagation of a Charter for Compassion, crafted by a group of leading inspirational thinkers from the three Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and based on the fundamental principles of universal justice and respect.”

Please join Spiritual Directors International in raising the global awareness of spiritual direction as a powerful way to cultivate compassion.

Join SDI at "Cultivating Compassion" educational events in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, April 28 - May 2, 1011.

What does compassion mean to you? Share your stories of how spiritual direction cultivates compassion by replying in the comment field below.