Compassion. Bridging Practice and Science

“In July 2011, I was honored to be invited to an innovative meeting in Berlin, Germany, hosted by Neuroscientist Dr. Tania Singer, of the Max Planck Institute, and held in the studio space of artist Olafur Eliasson. The purpose of the meeting was to present and explore different was of measuring compassion from teachers, scientists, contemplatives, and practitioners from various disciplines. Professor Singer originally called this meeting to help her develop ideas for a secularized compassion-training program for her longitudinal neuroscience research. What emerged from this gathering, in addition to a glorious three days of conversation, presentation, practice, was a deep enthusiasm to share what we learned with others in the service of cultivating compassion. In addition to the research and training that resulted from this effort (and much has!), we agreed to collectively produce some kind of document or book to share with other and commemorate the event.

Olafur Eliasson had already started a film about compassion, in which he interviewed many of the participants about compassion, science, contemplative practice, and art called Raising Compassion (http://www.compassion-training.org/?lang=en&page=movie). In addition, we produced a book, but we did not want it to be just another edited volume that people would have to buy, maybe read, and the shelve. Instead, Prof Singer and Matthias Bolz spearheaded an effort to create a dynamic, multimedia offering. The result was the free, multimedia eBook: Compassion. Bridging Practice and Science, Edited by Tania Singer and Matthias Bolz, which includes original that in various waysdescribe existing secular compassion training programs and empirical research as well as the experiences of practitioners. The state-of-the-art layout of the eBook includes video clips and a selection of original sound collages by Nathalie Singer, and artistic images by Olafur Eliasson. It includes chapters by the meeting participants and their colleagues, including CCARE members Thupten Jinpa, Margaret Cullen, Erika Rosenberg, and Leah Weiss-Ekstrom, who offer chapters on compassion training with the Compassion Cultivation Training Program.”

– Erika Rosenberg, Ph.D.

CCARE Compassion Cultivation Teacher and Teacher Trainer