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Cultivating Compassion

Learn about the first of the five elements of compassion: recognizing suffering.

 

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Cultivating Compassion

Course Overview

In this course you will join Anissa in her journey in the first of the five elements of compassion: recognizing suffering. Already shaken by her studies of the Civil Rights Movement, Anissa is shocked as she discovers more about South African history, and her own grandmother's experience in the American South. Along with Anissa, learners will begin to build their emotional vocabulary as they discover the meaning behind the words sympathy, empathy and compassion.

 

Module

1

Anissa's Open eyes

In this first section, learners will get to know the terms sympathy and empathy. In order to build a foundation for compassion, learners will consider the things our family members do for us, and explore the suffering or hardship of those close to us.

Module

2

About Grandma Dee Dee

In this section, learners will explore suffering and hardship that people faced in the US in recent history, and recognize hard-to-notice hardships, They will consider the nature of suffering and interview a familiar older person to learn about their hardships.

Module

3

A Shaky Start

In this section, learners will discover difficult childhood experiences and consider how certain working conditions can cause hardship or suffering. They will learn about obstacles to empathy, and take a peek at European child labor practices in the past.

Module

4

When Michael Was a Shrub

In this course's final section, learners will examine the suffering caused by teasing and bullying. They will learn about what makes a compassionate act, and consider the difference between wanting and needing.

Meet Course Creator, Ajay Meswani

I am an internationally minded, passionate educator with more than 20 years of teaching experience in Finland, USA, Denmark, Mozambique, and Angola. I have a deep knowledge of Finnish education which I have successfully integrated with my international background and experience. During my years in education, I have specialized in teaching multicultural and multilingual students from all over the world.

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