Introduce Yourself

Please tell us your name, affiliation, and why you're interested in Seeds of Compassion. Choose 'Add Comment' at the bottom of the page.   

1. Anil Singh-Molares, InterSpiritual Co-Chair for Seeds of Compassion: I have a deep and abiding interest in spirituality, based on my degrees in Philosophy and Theology, my experience as an apprentice Zen monk, and as the child of a Roman Catholic mother and a Hindu father. I also put together major interspiritual conferences in the late 1980s for the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders.
2. Valerie Tarico, Wisdomcommons.org: It has been said that compassion is one of the three highest moral virtues, along with humility (seeing ourselves as just one among many, no more, no less) and veracity (truth seeking and truth speaking).  Compassion is at the heart of our shared moral core. It is built into our very bodies in the moral emotion of empathy, and it is expressed across cultures in various forms of the golden rule. My deep hope is that by elevating and celebrating this shared moral core we can move beyond tribalism to embrace something greater than any one of our individual traditions or communities.   
3. Sarah Weir, Provider Services Coordinator for Child Care Resources: My life's work is to improve the quality of child care so that every child gets a great start.  Please visit our website at http://www.childcare.org.
4. Dr. Sanaa Joy Carey, IMAN Islamic Center: (I) had the blessing of receiving the Kalichakra initiation from the Dalai Lama in the early 1980's. His purity and wisdom are profound and, I believe, what the world needs. I am 100% behind the intention of these five days and of the Dalai Lama. I have organized interfaith events since 1996 and I honor all of you for the vision and scope of Seeds of Compassion. My intention for being involved is to bring more Muslims into the conversation and, God willing, be a advocate of DEPTH, as well as breadth.
5. Susan Partnow, Compassionate Listening Project: For over 15 years, I have been devoted to the cultivation of compassionate listening especially through the study, practice, and teaching of compassionate listening in conjunction with The Compassionate Listening Project. It has changed my life. This conference is a wonderful way to share this powerful practice with others. ...most of all I have been a devoted peacemaker for my whole life! Gratitude for all you are doing!   
6. Rabbi Ted Falcon, Bet Alef: An Inclusive Spiritual Synagogue: Seeds of Compassion speaks to the very heart of what individuals and the world need most deeply in order to heal the anguish of personal struggles and global crises. For spiritual traditions, this calls us to the very highest in our faiths; for those outside formal religious or spiritual organizations, this calls us to the very finest in ourselves and in each other. This is a unique opportunity to share with others in learning more effective ways to translate the ideals of compassion into practical action in the world. Please visit our website at http://www.betalef.org.
7. Sita Vashee, InterSpiritual Day Executive Committee Member and Sponsor: I think that our children need some form of spirituality in their lives, and that is something that is not always provided to them. It gives them tremendous strength and a place to go to (inside themselves) when times are tough. It also teaches them how to be gentle and kind and accepting of others.
8. Julie Welch, Northwest Dharma Association: As President of the Northwest Dharma Association, I can connect Seeds of Compassion with Buddhist practitioners throughout the Northwest. As a practicing Buddhist, the cultivation of compassion and loving kindness for all beings is part of my daily aspiration. Please visit our website at http://www.nwdharma.org.
9. Bruno Alabiso, Seeds of Compassion Committee Member: I work to aid in overcoming the dark side of faith-based communities and practices, to foster a durable and tribal-free universal sense of compassion in children without contradictions.
10. John Hale, InterSpiritual Day Co-Chair: I am a co-founder of our local interfaith organization, NICO (Northwest Interfaith Community Outreach). For five years we have promoted spiritual practices, celebrating spirituality, facilitating interreligious dialogue, and promoting compassion in action in our region. The Seeds program complements and expands our mission and will help us scale the momentum to a much higher level. I could not "not" be involved.
11. Anonymous: I am very interested in dialogue among interfaith groups and have participated in several interfaith gatherings, retreats, classes. As an adjunct professor at the School of Theology and Ministry the mission of Seeds of Compassion is very much part of the ministerial training and expression of the School. My hope is that Seeds of Compassion can teach children and adults to reach out to others who are different, as well as similar, and find ways to communicate and work together. Our world is in dire need of compassion and caring for all.
12. Reverend Michael Ingersoll, Center For Spiritual Living, Partner Sponsor and KING TV Broadcast Sponsor: A global initiative like this is very important; building consciousness globally is very important; creating discussion and bridges of understanding amongst ourselves and others is very important; instilling in our children values and understanding is very important. Coming together collectively, regardless of background, religious tradition, or culture around a global issue is powerful, transformative, and necessary. Please visit our website at http://www.SpiritualLiving.org.
13. Darrell Hillaire, Lummi Tribe: I have been asked to participate and since joining the Seeds of Compassion family, I have made great friendships and have seen our Lummi children share an interest in learning about other peoples. I look forward to learning the 1,000 ways to say thank you from the many cultures that are going to be present at the event.
14. Merna Ann Hecht, Seeds of Compassion Workshop Leader: I applied (to be a workshop presenter) because of my deep commitment as a teacher, poet, and storyteller to working with young people to link up their imaginative capacities with their capacities for empathy and compassion. I believe that our power lies in our ability to extend a deep understanding of what it is like to be in another's shoes and to stand present and reverent with them, embracing as best we can their point of view, sensibility, pain, struggle, anguish, and joy. I approach poetry as the place where our deepest sorrows, our mystery, the ground of our humanity can be explored, expressed, questioned, and celebrated. I love the intention and mission of this conference and I would be honored to bring my work as a storyteller and poet with young people to others as a way to engage them in integrating art with the teaching of social justice and compassion. I believe this is the very least we can do for our young people to help them believe in their power to make positive contributions and changes toward a more humane and sustainable world.
15. Anonymous: There is no doubt that the understanding of true compassion has been lost at the dawn of the 21st century. In effort to rekindle the sublime and genuine heart of the human spirit is more than noble; it is precisely the effort and action needed.
16. Reverend Lisa Domke, Presbyterian Church (USA): I am very excited about diverse communities uniting in both advocating for children and teaching compassion. It is gratifying to see the spiritual included along with the cognitive, physical, and social/emotional needs of children (and adults!).
17. Lora-Ellen McKinney, Mount Zion Baptist Church and Author, African American Faith Practices: I am a person of strong faith who was raised to believe that there is one God and many paths to (Him). Seeds of Compassion is an exemplary project to bring those paths together so that we may allow God's voice to speak through us to one another. Please visit our website at http://judsonpress.com.
18. Monica Wilson, Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism: As the Outreach Coordinator on the Board, and Dharma School Director at Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, I am very much interested in seeing the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a more loving and compassionate world shared with as many people as possible. Please visit our website at http://www.sakya.org.
19. Mike Schaefer, Seeds of Compassion Volunteer: I have a strong belief that "teaching" compassion is lacking in our communities and we need to raise awareness and bring help more effectively to those who need it.
20. Andrea Cohen, Compassionate Listening Workshop Leader: I am very interested in the potential for integrating compassion into the daily lives of children—through helping teachers, parents and older children model these skills in a way that is sustainable over time. Having the Dalai Lama in Seattle to launch this program provides our community with an incredible opportunity to bring popularity to the idea of compassion. As a facilitator in a practice called Compassionate Listening for many years, I know that bringing compassion into one's daily life takes awareness, intention, and specific skills, particularly in the heat of challenging situations. I welcome the opportunity to expose more people to these skills and inform them of models where this is working in schools. Please visit our website at http://www.compassionatelistening.org or contact via email to cohencomm@comcast.net.
21. William Gray, Aikido Academy: I believe working with children is the best way to make the world a better place.  Please visit our website at http://www.aikidoredmond.com.
22. Jim Henderson, InterSpiritual Day Workshop Leader: I want to join with others who are trying to make our world a better place.