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Spiritual direction cultivates compassion << Previous Next >>
Guest author: Liz Budd Ellmann, MDiv
Thomas Merton wrote, “Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things.” What does compassion mean to you?
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 November 12, author Karen Armstrong and a global group of collaborators, unveils 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.
Share your stories of how spiritual direction cultivates compassion by replying in the comment field below.
11/11,2009, at 08:01
This is awesome. I am going to share with everyone I know.
11/11,2009, at 18:14
Every time I watch one of the videos related to the Charter of Compassion I get goose-bumps. God-goose-bumps, I call them. To say I feel moved and inspired is to understate my response. I am firing e-mails to everyone I know about the Charter of Compassion and Spiritual Directors International's connection with it. Jinks H.
11/12,2009, at 15:28
What inspiration! I feel wrapped in hope by this charter. It would add to our world if it were included in all meetings of so many kinds! Ahh!
11/12,2009, at 15:43
Ravishing! My heart aches to share, to give, to love, to serve more. The tears in my eyes and this ache in my heart confirm for me the Truth from which this messgage came. We must transcend our differences with reverence and an understanding born from a commitment to hold a space of dignity for all people. Compassion is the hand of the Creator holding all of humanity as One. Use my hands, oh Source. Turn this ache into action, and these tears into a touch of love for all those in need. The need is truly Universal. I am in need of giving as much as another is in need of receipt. Let those needs meet as the union of your will.
11/12,2009, at 15:55
This is an amazing initiative on the part of world religions. I have gathered people in the Rochester, NY area to create a network of Compassionate People to carry on this mission here, in our hometown, and with each one of us individually. It is the flame within us that will burn more brightly when we can light it also in others.
11/12,2009, at 21:05
I watched the video and as my heart calmed down I came away with that "...each religion has the language and heart of compassion...we need to return to that...a global golden rule..." so I then, with a deep renewed sense of purpose, in my role as a spiritual counselor, in listening to others, and letting them them tell their story, their and my own humanity can be enriched. The Charter of Compassion is powerful!
11/13,2009, at 04:39
I deeply agree that the heart of all religions is compassion. As a spiritual director I try to promote compassion with your self and others, and in a group we meditate about compassion in the letters and art of Vincent van Gogh. Here in the Netherlands, with a strong trend towards anti-islamic thinking, it is important to stress that al abrahamic religions belief in the One God of compassion.
11/13,2009, at 10:15
Thank you. This is beautiful, deeply moving and true. The stories are heartwarming . . .
11/13,2009, at 12:09
My heart is full as I watch the video, full of hope, and full of gratitude for Karen Armstrong and the Charter of Compassion and for Spiritual Directors International. Compassion is the very heart of the Divine. When we respond with that deep and sure knowledge that others are as I am, that they want and need the very same love and care as I do and my family does, then peace and well-being flourish, people are happy and safe, and the Holy One smiles. May this Charter and the efforts of all the spiritual guides and all the compassionate ones everywhere be blessed and multiplied.
11/13,2009, at 16:07
I am so grateful Karen's voice is being heard through SDI....we have such an important network and now the word of Compassion will ripple out further..........Thank you.
11/13,2009, at 17:04
I was very moved by the stories of compassion expressed and experienced. Thank you for this video and the hope for a compassionate world.
11/17,2009, at 20:34
Beautifully stated, the words cut to the heart of the matter. Living the spiritual life is about living compassionately. Compassion is expressed is so many ways, some small and some immense. If we could just live this way everyday throughout the world, we would be at peace.
11/19,2009, at 10:41
Great discussion here. Thanks for supporting the Charter and its messaging to inspire ACTS of compassion. Best, Will (helping to get the word out)
12/02,2009, at 12:25
Such a powerful and necessary Charter to move us out of judgment. Thank you, thank you, thank you.