“A Mindful Heart” is a 12-week course, developed by the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW) and inspired by the Creating Compassionate Cultures program.

This course is designed to help participants develop a deeper understanding of how the mind works. The aim is to gradually let go of destructive patterns of thought and behavior while cultivating a healthy sense of self-confidence and a deep, compassionate connection with others.

Participants are invited to reflect on their attitudes, perceptions, and emotional patterns. By exploring the workings of our own minds and the nature of our interdependence with others and the world around us, we begin to see how deeply connected our inner and outer realities truly are. We examine both logical and scientific perspectives on the nature of the self and our relationships with others.

To deepen the learning, participants are encouraged to reflect between sessions, pausing to notice their inner experiences and reconnect with their deepest values. This supports the integration of insights and ways to act with greater mindfulness and wisdom.

Ultimately, the transformation we foster in ourselves contributes to building more compassionate cultures. How can one person influence a whole culture? The answer lies in understanding interdependence. Every action we take, every choice, interaction, and intention, affects others and the broader environment. This principle of cause and effect lies at the heart of all life, reminding us that our individual transformation ripples outward in meaningful ways.

The course is organized into twelve one hour sessions:

1. The Pursuit of Happiness
2. Understanding How Things Exist
3. Developing Healthy Self-Confidence
4. Compassion — Opening the Heart
5. Mindfulness, Reflection and Critical Thinking
6. Mindful Intention — What do I really want?
7. Interconnection
8. Embracing Change
9. Perception
10. Transforming Harmful Emotions
11. Empathy
12. Cultivating Compassion

A typical session includes:

• Introduction and motivation
• Settling meditation
• Introduction of meditation topic
• Participants' sharing their experiences
• Guided meditation
• Closing and dedication

The content and methods in this 12 week course are inspired by the Creating Compassionate Cultures program (“CCC”), which is grounded in three core pathways of learning: Knowledge, Strength, and Compassion. These pathways guide participants toward a happier, more meaningful life by fostering inner growth and a warmer connection with others.

Pam Cayton, the founder of the CCC program and the Tara Redwood School in California, began with a simple yet profound inquiry: “What do I really want in this life? What do I want for my children?” She realized that at the core, we all wish for happiness, for ourselves and those we love. True happiness involves not only personal well-being but also contributing meaningfully to the lives of others. With that vision, she created a framework to help children and adults alike cultivate happy, successful, and purpose-driven lives.

Pam's framework follows a 7 step process.

Step 1 is Mindful Intention: What do I really want? During this step we explore the dynamic psychology of our daily lives and the impact of developing our awareness of what we really want, how we can achieve it, and how to avoid habitual behaviors that prevent our happiness.

Step 2 is Interconnection. Here we examine the interconnected nature of our world, how the global impacts the personal, and the ways our thoughts and actions directly affect ourselves, others, and the environment.

Step 3 is Change: We embrace the freedom that comes from understanding the pervasive nature of change and the opportunity of endless possibilities available to us in every moment.

Step 4 is Perception: My mind creates my reality. We examine how we perceive ourselves and events around us through exploring neuroscience, psychology and ancient wisdom.

Step 5 is Transforming Harmful Emotions: using freedom to choose responses that will impact our mind and lives in a positive way.

Step 6 is Empathy: We can awaken and nurture our natural empathy for a happier life.

Step 7 is Compassion: We are inspired to take action to use our new found wisdom, inspiration and power in positive and beneficial acts towards others and ourselves.

To learn more about the CCC training and program, please visit: https://oiccctraining.org/