Compassion Cultivation Training

Compassion is a feeling that arises from witnessing a being’s suffering, which then ignites an intention to bring relief to that suffering. As such, it is also an expression of the capacity to care. Compassion has the power to transform suffering. It can fuel our efforts to improve ourselves, our surroundings, and the world. By wisely applying compassion in our specific circumstances, we can use suffering as a tool to raise our consciousness.

In this course, talking about compassion is important — how to unfold it, apply it, and share experiences — but this is just a map. While this map will help us plan our direction, stay aware of where we are on the path, and avoid getting lost, the journey itself is made by moving forward — by experiencing, trying, doing, and reflecting. In other words, by practicing. The weekly two-hour group sessions are designed with this in mind.

Overview:

• Weekly 2-hour session — including lecture, discussion, and in-class exercises
• Daily meditation practices
• Real-world assignments for practicing compassionate thoughts and actions

We’ll follow a step-by-step “training plan” and experiment with its various elements:

The 8-Week CCT Journey:

• Week 1 — Settling and focusing the mind
• Week 2 — Loving-kindness & compassion for a loved one
• Week 3 — Compassion for oneself
• Week 4 — Loving-kindness for oneself
• Week 5 — Embracing shared common humanity and developing an appreciation for others
• Week 6 — Cultivating compassion for others
• Week 7 — Active compassion practice
• Week 8 — Integrated daily compassion cultivation practice

While everyone will have their own unique experience, research has shown CCT™ can lead to:

Increased: Happiness, Calmness, acceptance of emotions, self-acceptance, job satisfaction, self-caring behavior, compassion for self and others, and openness to receiving compassion from others.

Decreased: Worry and anxiety, anger, wandering mind, emotional suppression, reports of chronic pain severity.

Compassion Cultivation Training™ (CCT™) was developed at Stanford University under the guidance of Geshe Thupten Jinpa. Jinpa trained as a monk at Shartse College and holds the prestigious Geshe Lharampa degree. He also earned a B.A. in philosophy and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Cambridge University. Since 1985, Jinpa has served as the principal English translator for H.H. the Dalai Lama and has collaborated on numerous works with him. Jinpa has been working on translating the Ocean of Definitive Meaning by Jonang Master Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen.

This course is an experiential introduction to compassion. All 8 sessions will be recorded and will be accessible for later viewing. However, due to the guided experiential nature of this course, if you will be unable to attend the majority of live sessions, we generally do not recommend your participation. The recordings are only intended for those who absolutely cannot avoid missing one or a few sessions.

Additional session: after the completion of the 8 main sessions, an additional optional session will be offered. This session will provide an orientation on how to move forward should you want further perspective or advice on how to deepen yourself within this profound subject.

Registration Costs 

We offer flexible offering levels to accommodate participants in different economic, life, and geographical contexts. REGISTER BELOW.

Sangha Supporter Registration Fee: 636,- Euro (by choosing this option, your act of generosity supports other participants who need a reduced registration option.)

Normal Registration Fee: 250,- Euro

Early Bird Reduced Registration Fee (for members of Dzokden Kalapa Association registering until November 10): 215,- Euro 

Scholarship Reduced Registration Fee (choose this option if you have a very reduced income or are currently facing difficult financial challenges: if you need further financial assistance to access this course, please email [email protected] so that together we can see a way to ensure your participation.): 130,- Euro

Note: Registration costs for Dzokden Kalapa do not cover any time and effort of the course teacher Tamás Schieszler. We are very grateful for his kind offer to guide this program. Should you wish to show your gratitude to Tamás during or after the course, you are welcome to make an online donation (Dana) to him. Details on how to do that will be announced after the course starts.