7 Universal Steps to Help Create a Compassionate Culture

a non-denominational and taught by Pam Cayton, author of  Compassion in Education: An Introduction to Creating Compassionate Cultures

Thursdays … continuing to  May 3rd,
7:00-8:30pm

Join Pam Cayton to review 7 universal steps we can take to unlock our inner wisdom, transform emotions, and gain new skills and learning tools to make a positive difference.

“Creating Compassionate Cultures” offers an approach to awakening and nurturing a more compassionate, altruistic attitude.  Although based on ancient wisdom it reflects recent discoveries in neuroscience.  Emphasizing intention, interconnection, change, perception, empathy and compassion, this program provides a guide to empowering you and the people in your life to make a positive difference in the world.

There is a systematic step-by-step process called the ‘Seven Steps’.  This process leads participants along a journey of discovery, beginning with the question, “What do I really want?” and concluding with an inquiry of “How can we put compassion into action”.   The journey follows a logical sequence of steps that engages one’s own wisdom and experience by employing logical reasoning, dialogue and reflection.   Although the approaches have been developed primarily for children, they are easily adapted for any age group and are suitable for everyone.  Everyone is invited!

“I believe that at every level of society, the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.”
-His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Series of talks to include: 

Self – Awareness: What do I/we really want? (Step 1)
An in-depth exploration into the dynamic psychology of our daily lives and the impact of developing our awareness of what we really want, how we can get it, and the often unconscious psychology that thwarts our efforts.

Interconnection: Everything is connected (Step 2)
An exploration into the nature of our world and how this reflects our inner psychology and experience. Approached from two perspectives, implications of interconnection sets the stage for further development of the knowledge that ultimately leads to a happier life for ourselves and others.

Change: Everything changes. (Step 3)
A growing sense of self-awareness and responsibility, rooted in an interconnected world, often welcomes the freedom that comes with an understanding of the pervasive nature of change. This highlights the dynamic aspect of interconnectedness and the psychological implications of change. Neuro-plasticity, the ability of our neuropathways to develop and change, further informs our exploration into our ability to bring positive transformation into the world.

Perception: My mind creates my reality. (Step 4)
This focuses on the role of perception and its impact on our co-creation of belief systems/values, our relationships, our understanding of the way the world exists, and of course, ourselves. The emphasis here is on familiarizing ourselves with the nature of perception, our own obvious and hidden perceptions, and how they relate to our everyday experience.

Transformation: Transforming Harmful Emotions (Step 5)
This describes the neuroscience behind the method and material, an overview of the Seven Colors, and how they are used to help develop self-awareness, logical reasoning and helpful language to express emotions and experiences with grace. This is done through the use of color and symbolism that children and adults can easily integrate into conflict resolution strategies, art, imagination, and their environment.

Empathy: Extend your understanding to others (Step 6)
This is built on the foundation and practice applied throughout the Seven Steps so far. As one begins to see the universal wish for all beings to be happy, the impact and power the individual has as a part of this interconnected dynamic world becomes evident. Here we explore how to maintain this understanding daily in practical ways.

Compassion: Put your compassion into action! (Step 7)
This concludes the Seven Steps and focuses on putting our sense of inspiration and empowerment into positive beneficial action towards oneself and others, while maintaining the rationale and understanding that makes the behavior logical and natural, and sustainable.

About Pam:
Pam Cayton spent 10 years in Nepal studying Asian philosophy and religion and teaching English to Buddhist monks.  During this time Pam also organized courses in Buddhist philosophy and meditation for Western students and co-founded The Himalayan Yogic Institute in Kathmandu, Nepal.  In 1988 Pam moved to the United States where she completed her Montessori training at Montessori World Education Institute and the ECE department of Cabrillo College.  In 1989 she started Tara Redwood School with the aim of educating the whole child: to convey the joy of learning and also to provide a foundation for the emotional and inner development of each child.  The success of Tara Redwood School encouraged Pam to found Creating Compassionate Cultures to develop training programs, tools and resources and share them with educators around the world.

Welcome to all or any of the talks.  Drop-ins welcome.  No one turned away due to lack of funds.  For more information:  Registration & Check-in

Suggested donation:  $15 per talk, no one turned away due to lack of funds

About the book:  Compassion in Education

About the program:  Institute for Creating Compassionate Cultures