Compassion School

(Video length: 9 min, 58 sec)

In this introductory video, Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson and Rev. Katey Zeh say “hello” and discuss:

1. What sparked the idea for RCRC’s Compassion School and what role the pandemic played in this;
2. If Compassion School solely focuses on the issue of reproductive freedom or if it includes other social justice issues;
3. Who we hope will participate on Compassion School and what students may think and do differently as a result of learning more about compassion.

RCRC Blog Post — Compassion: Toward A More Just Society 

(Video length: 22 min, 37 sec)

Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson and Rev. Katey Zeh kick off the first week of Compassion School by discussing:

1. What relationship compassion has (or doesn’t have) with organized religion;
2. Compassion as a moral principle and framework for society.

Blog — “Is There a Difference between Compassion vs Empathy?” 

Video — Compassion In Action

Video — Charter for Compassion 

Video — Character Education: Compassion  

(For Kids) Video — The Compassion Experience   

1. This week, pay attention to when you extend compassion:  to whom and under what circumstances .
2. Share, repost, or retweet at least one of the quotes, videos or articles that speak to you most!

(Video length: 14 min, 26 sec)

This week, Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson and Rev. Katey Zeh discuss the questions:

1. What are the differences and similarities between empathy and compassion?
2. How and why is compassion critical to justice?

Article —  “Compassion is Better Than Empathy” by Tara Well PhD    

Video – Where Does Compassion Really Come From? 

Video — Human: The Circle of Compassion 

(FOR KIDS) Article — “Social Justice in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” by Stacey Shaneyfelt  

(FOR KIDS) Video — “Compassion in Action” by Stephanie Bierman 

1. Draw (preferably with your non-dominant hand) what compassion looks like. If you have children, do this with them!
2. Share, repost, or retweet at least one of the quotes, videos or articles that speak to you most.

(Video length: 22 min, 17 sec)

This week, Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson and Rev. Katey Zeh discuss the questions:

1. Given that research shows tremendous social, economic and health benefits of compassion, why is there not more focus on compassion in our society?
2. What are the most common barriers to compassion?
3. How do stress and anxiety get in the way of compassion?

1. Draw (preferably with your non-dominant hand) what compassion looks like. If you have children, do this with them!
2. Think of a time you chose – or wish you had chosen – to extend compassion instead of expressing hurtful anger at others.

(Video length: 24 min, 9 sec)

This week, Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson and Rev. Katey Zeh discuss the questions:

1. What difference would it make if voters’ assessment of political candidates includes a focus on the expressed principles and track record of policies guided by compassion?
2. President George W. Bush talked about the importance of compassionate conservatism – a political philosophy that stresses using conservative techniques and concepts to improve the general welfare of society.  Why have we moved so far away from this political principle?
3. What are indicators of compassion voters should look for in candidates for any elected position at federal, state and local levels?
4. Quizzes designed to help voters discern which candidates are most aligned with what individual voters value focus on policy issues. What do you recommend be included in such quizzes to highlight values of compassion?
5. We have seen an increasing number of Republican leaders endorse the Biden-Harris ticket. What does this signal to you about the value of compassion?

• Britannica 2020 Candidate Quiz 
• Book: How the South Won the Civil War by Heather Cox Richardson 

1. Draw (preferably with your non-dominant hand) what compassion looks like. If you have children, do this with them!
2. List 2-3 political leaders you have most respected: In what ways has their leadership reflected a high value compassion even when they were confronted with great opposition or attack?

(Video length: 13 min, 47 sec)

This week, Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson asks the following of Rev. Katey Zeh:

1. You are a fitness trainer. Is there anything from fitness training that might be applied to strengthening compassion – not just as something we feel but action we take?
2. How do we build our compassion muscles?
3. Continuing with the exercise or fitness metaphor, what do you say to people who feel they don’t have time for compassionate because of all they are dealing with in their own lives?

• Book: The Art of Happiness by HH Dalai Lama

1. Start each day with the intention of building your compassion muscle with your loved ones and strangers.
2. Re-post at least 1 of the quotes, videos or articles that speak to you most.

(Video length: 7 min, 21 sec)

This week of Compassion School features a guest speaker whose work you may recognize from our previous units: Dr. James R. Doty, professor of neurosurgery at Stanford University and founder and director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education.

Dr. Doty discusses how self-compassion leads to compassion for others, and shares his experiences with identity, belonging, and personal aspirations.

1. Start each day with the intention of building your compassion muscle with your loved ones and strangers.
2. Record a short video of yourself talking about a time you have felt more compassionate to others when you have given compassion to yourself, and share it in your social media.

(Video length: 24 min, 7 sec)

This week, Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson and Rev. Katey Zeh explore the following questions:

1. What does it mean to think of racism as a public health crisis?
2. If compassion were the guide for approaches and policies about reproductive health care, how would it impact maternal mortality–particular among BIWOC (Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color)?
3. Discussions about reproductive health, rights and justice are often framed as pro-life and pro-choice. These terms often place greater value on the life of a potential, unborn person or on the current life of an actual person. How might compassion impact how we talk about abortion and all aspects of reproductive decisions and loss?

1. Re-post at least 1 of the quotes, videos or articles that speak to you most

(Video length: 22 min, 56 sec)

This week, we discuss:

1. Typically, we focus on justice issues in ways that overlook their intersections. What has this election season revealed about the intersections of various justice issues?
2. “Essential workers” during COVID-19 have often been people of color, women, and individuals who are being paid minimum wage. What has the COVID-19 pandemic revealed about intersections of income equity, public health, affordable housing, reproductive freedom, childcare, and public education, etc?
3. How might compassion be a resource for helping us to advocate for justice – racial, economic, environmental, gender, disability, and so on – in ways that are more comprehensive and holistic?
4. How can we spread the principles of compassion to help heal our world?

1. Re-post at least 1 of the quotes, videos or articles that speak to you most

(Video length: 11min, 54 sec)

This week, Rev. Dr. Jackson speaks with Dr. James R. Doty, professor of neurosurgery at Stanford University and founder and director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education.

They discuss ways to bring people together and promote understanding by focus on commonalities across groups, and Dr. Doty also shares his experience working with the Dalai Lama on compassion.

1. Re-post at least 1 of the quotes, videos or articles that speak to you most