Seeds of Compassion

Seeds of Compassion
April 8, 2021

First, From the Heart

This week we celebrate several members of our community who spread seeds of compassion far and wide around the globe. Cheers to Lacey Ahern and Bruce Compton, both graduates of the initial cohort of Compassionate Leadership and Resilience Training for Global Health Leaders, for orchestrating a powerful learning opportunity in partnership with Notre Dame and The Focus Area for Compassion and Ethics (FACE) at the Task Force for Global Health. Guest speakers, also from this cohort included Shams Syed of WHO and Sedem Adiabu from Emory University. David Addiss, our faculty colleague and director of FACE, rounded out the panel to share his perspective. Kudos to all!

While this particular idea to bring more compassion forward was a substantial undertaking, it is just as important to plant whatever seeds we can in any given moment. The small gestures may ripple out just as powerfully. Every move counts and contributes to the larger field. What seeds might we each put into the ground today?

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Seeds of Compassion

As the days get longer in the northern hemisphere, the signs of new life emerge all over. Farmers and gardeners turn their attention to planting new seeds as the first step to a rich harvest. Let’s align ourselves with the seasonal cycle of the planet and plant seeds of compassion for a harvest of healing and flourishing. These seeds are readily available, and with patience and wisdom, will return many times over the effort they require to plant. Read more.

Practice Matters

We Yearn to Expand

Out beyond the edges of our planet and our universe, the nature of expansion changes the scale of space. Now, notice each time a new in-breath follows the exhale. If we listen closely to the inner workings of our physical home, we feel areas of expansion throughout the body beyond the lungs. Our deep desire to evolve is yet another expression of the natural force of expansion. We are the seeds of our future selves, and we yearn to blossom into our full expression.

We expand into our potential by acknowledging our inner longing and responding with a willingness to challenge our comfort zone. Trust in yourself, trust in the process, and trust in the goodness of life. Show up with fierce compassion for yourself when times are tough, and know you are not alone. Let in the support of others and the support of your practice to lift you up. Replenish often. Stay true to your deeper knowing and the power of love. This is how we grow.

When can we practice? Always!

First, From the Heart

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Practice Matters

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