Tags
Compassion, Ideas Worth Spreading, Imam, layperson, Rabbi, Reverend, Swami, TED, Tenzin
A Swami, a Rabbi, an Imam, a Tenzin, a layperson, and a Reverend walk into a bar…
Sounds like the beginning of a joke!
But no.
TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an organisation dedicated to Ideas Worth Spreading. And this idea is very cool.
What they’ve assembled are six different perspectives on the topic of compassion. With – you guessed it – a Swami, a Rabbi, an Imam, a Tenzin, a layperson, and a Reverend.
- Swami Dayananda Saraswati: The profound journey of compassion
- Rabbi Jackie Tabick: The balancing act of compassion
- Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf: Lose your ego, find your compassion
- Tenzin Robert Thurman: Expanding your circle of compassion
- Robert Wright: The evolution of compassion
- Reverend James Forbes: Compassion at the dinner table
Some I found easier to relate to than others, but they are all wonderful discussions on compassion.
Of course, compassion has to start with ourselves. True compassion becomes a part of who you are, not like a jacket you clothe yourself in at will, applied sporadically.
But as Swami Dayananda puts it (paraphrased)… to learn to swim you must swim… in order to be compassionate you must act with compassion… and you fake it til you make it!
Also, check out the Charter for Compassion – a brand new inter-faith initiative looking at how to develop world-wide compassion…
The Charter seeks to change the conversation so that compassion becomes a key word in public and private discourse, making it clear that any ideology that breeds hatred or contempt ~ be it religious or secular ~ has failed the test of our time.
This is all good stuff for contemplating how we treat ourselves and others. And hopefully, a little more ammunition for learning to make peace with ourselves. 🙂
~Svasti
Svasti: A Journey From Assault To Wholeness 
Thanks, Svasti. I’ll check them out.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Ou! Thanks for sharing this, I’m excited to listen. TED talks are often fantastic. 🙂
Hey my friend–how interesting that you wrote this post because just this morning, I wrote a rough draft of a post that is in a similar vein (although not exactly the same).
One of the best things I ever heard the Dalai Lama say was, “The highest form of intelligence is treating others with kindness” and I really do believe that is true. We all–throughout the entire world–need to remember that as humans, we are much more alike than different and that we need to treat each other with kindness.
Wonderful reminder–and thank you.
Melinda
@Bob – Enjoy! And let me know what you think.
@EcoYogini – TED talks are usually pretty cool. They are having a local TED event this month, and I can’t wait to attend!
@Melinda – Yes, I just read your post, will head over to comment soon. 🙂
You’re right, the more kindness we can generate for ourselves and others, the better off we’ll all be!
Hi, Svasti –
Wow! That is great news! I love it when things just come together in an enjoyable way! Good for you!
I’m celebrating a bit of the same type of news . . . I was going to have to move and pay a lot more money because my current arrangement of living space (one part of the house) and working space (another part of the house in the shared area) was not working out (living space good, working space not good) . . . however, I received news today that we likely found a way to solve the work space/noise issue and I might not have to move or pay much more money for the extra PRIVATE work space that is still in the same house. I am buzzing with hopeful joy today!
– Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)
Greetings!
I’ve always known I am my very worst enemy. At times I like to blame others for my anger,unhappiness,fear – you name it. But at the end of the day, I know I must look inward to create a peace treaty.
Through help of the pros and tons of inner reflection, I can at least see the signs coming when the the treaty is danger of being breached.
It seems like a lot of work to be kind to myself, but I now accept and believe that I’m worth it.
Cheers!
Melissa
@mfast – Thank you for dropping by to comment! And I agree. Most people are their own worst enemy. Keep up the good work with your own peace treaty! Its definitely worth it in the long run 🙂