Catalyzing Compassion

Dacher Keltner is the pioneer of awe research. And I love when solid science is conveyed in widely read publications like The Atlantic! Where are you seeing awe in your ordinary moments?

The Quiet Profundity of Everyday Awe

While it did not win the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film, it is still an incredible story about how kindness and hospitality can be the actions of compassion that transform suffering. If you have not already seen "Stranger at the G*te" - take 30 minutes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPbbl1S6foM

Stranger at the G*te | 2023 Oscar-Nominated Short | The New Yorker Documentary A former Marine with P.T.S.D. planned to attack Muslims in Indiana—until an unexpected encounter with faith. Joshua Seftel’s documentary “Stranger at the G*t...

Celebrate International Women's Day 2023 by taking a moment to reflect on the women who have supported you in your life and the women you have supported. May both lists be long and a source of gratitude and inspiration as we continue to support one another.

Sometimes there is a gap between research and application, however these researchers were intentional about making that connection - here are 7 things you can do today to increase compassion in your workplace (and life).

You can read their recent article in the Harvard Business Review - . https://hbr.org/2023/02/leading-with-compassion-has-research-backed-benefits?fbclid=IwAR2QAiKbypXu_EfbopZmMG-l8CbdNdbaYFDyhPN9jhiW8V_4t2HmAlTuB8U

Feeling self-critical, isolated or lonely?? Focus on boosting your connections, not only with others but also positive connections with yourself, to support your mental health and wellbeing. Compassion for self is an important part of all this.

Loving Yourself and Others: The Impact of Compassion on Mental Health and Wellness By Dina Weinstein   Love isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s hard.   Taylor Crouch, a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, is an expert on how physical pain affects emotional pain.....

"Awe" inspired my PhD research on compassion - we need more of it in our life! Find out more about this incredible emotion, and if you haven't seen the film "Soul" - check it out!

How the Science of Awe Shaped Pixar’s “Soul” A scientist and an artist explain how the new animated film uses visuals and music to bring awe to life.

This is compassion - addressing the suffering of loneliness and also the needs of those who need a quick in and out and maybe don’t feel so chatty! And, from a business perspective it has no significant costs, might even increase cart values as people add an item from the checkout temptations or want to shop here more. I love it. Have you seen any similar initiatives as you’ve been scrolling or out and about? Please share in the comments.

We decided to introduce a Social SLOW checkout when we discovered some people enjoy chatting while paying for their groceries. 😊 The added personal touch is helping many people, especially the elderly, deal with loneliness. 🥰

Belmont Sobeys
13504 Victoria trail
Edmonton, Alberta

I’m not a fan of darkness—literal or metaphorical places of darkness or shadow. I’m always looking for the light, for the piece that transforms darkness into greater meaning, effect, liberation—the thing that is lifegiving. I love the long days of summer. Time seems expansive. The warmth brings with it an openness of the body unconstricted by layers or contracted by the cold. And yet, where I live in Calgary, the contrast to those long days is long nights. There is a symmetry to this relationship, and yet my embrace of this balance is hardly symmetrical with my natural tendency to welcome one half and resist the other.

And yet, the thing about natural tendencies is that they are malleable – you can shape and reshape them. Self-compassion is a powerful tool for reshaping and reframing our behaviour and outlook. And a long night brings the quiet and stillness for exploration, for honesty about what is and is not working, for what you want more of and less of.

So tonight, on this longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere – I invite you into a practice of self-compassion.
1) Create a setting of comfort – a comfortable chair, a cozy blanket, a place where you are warm, undisturbed, and can let your guard down. You might want to light a candle or another soft light. Choose silence or music that enhances your exploration.
2) Bring to mind a compassionate image, someone or something that instills in you a sense of unconditional support, steadfast kindness, generous provision, or abundant goodwill. Notice how this attention and action unfold and how this recollection makes you feel.
3) Name one element of challenge or difficulty you are currently traversing. For this reflection, choose a medium challenge, not the most difficult thing in your life. Offer yourself a source of comfort by resting your palm just below your collarbone. Feel the weight and warmth of your hand on your body. Be curious about this challenge—how would you describe it, how does it make you feel?
4) Begin to build a compassionate bridge toward transformation. Describe what it would look and feel like if this difficulty was resolved. What is one step you can take toward the transformation you described? What would you say to a good friend facing this challenge? What or who could help you along this way?
5) When you feel the fullness of this exploration, conclude with a moment of gratitude for the space of darkness to be curious and receive the compassion available to you from self and others.

The Fall Cohort of Compassion Cultivation Training starts on Wednesday, Oct 13 - 7-9pm. Register now (catalyzingcompassion.com/compassion-training) to join this dynamic group of individuals who want to strengthen compassion for themselves and others in this 8-week journey of discovery and action. Sure you already have compassion, but what if I told you it could be braver and stronger and require less effort - science and spirituality help us make that possible. Don't wait for someday, join us for this session!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It is my hope that you have much to be thankful for. I'm grateful for you and thank you for sharing this journey of compassion together.