Workshop 7: Compassion

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Virtue Ethics: An Ethical Development Program for High School Youth

In This Section

Introduction
From Virtue Ethics

One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion. — Simone de Beauvoir This workshop brings scientific information, religious exploration, and, of course, opportunities for youth to share from their personal…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Virtue Ethics

Activity Minutes Opening 10 Activity 1: Mirror Neurons 10 Activity 2: Ideal vs….
Spiritual Preparation
From Virtue Ethics

Spend a few moments with Handout 1, Prayer for Compassion by Reverend Elizabeth L. Tarbox. Consider how compassion is, or could be, a spiritual practice in your life.
Opening
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Group covenant (Workshop 1) Optional: Bicycle Rack newsprint sheet (Workshop 1) Optional: Alternate Activity 1, Real Life Challenges Preparation for Activity R…
Activity 1: Mirror Neurons
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Computer with Internet access, and digital projector or large monitor Preparation for Activity Optional: Preview a six-minute segment on mirror neurons from the PBS program…
Activity 2: Ideal vs. Reality
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write “Compassion” on a sheet of newsprint, and post. Description of Activity Participants identify positive and negative aspects of the day’s virtue. Ask the group to define…
Activity 3: Story - The Prodigal Son
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “The Prodigal Son” Preparation for Activity Read the story so you can present it effectively. Optional: Copy the story for all participants. Optional: Plan to invite youth to act out the story….
Activity 4: Compassion and Religion
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Who Says?…
Activity 5: Dilemma
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 3, Compassion Dilemmas Preparation for Activity Adapt the Leader Resource to include the dilemmas you plan to use in this activity. If someone in the group has recently experienced the death of a pet, you may prefer to eliminate the…
Activity 6: Practice
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Participants’ journals, and writing instruments Participants’ clipboards with anklets (Workshop 1, Activity 3, Practice) Beads, and waterproof markers and/or other decorations Extra clipboards and string/hemp, and sciss…
Closing
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Adapt the Taking It Home section and copy for all participants. Optional: Print the closing quotation (below) for a volunteer to read. Description of…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Virtue Ethics

Reflect on the workshop with your co-leader. Which activities did the group enjoy most? Were varied learning styles addressed? Are the group dynamics taking shape in a healthy way, or are there issues you should address?…
Faith In Action: Everyday Compassion
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Activity 4, Compassion and Religion Computer with Internet access, and (optional) a digital projector or large monitor Leader Resource 2, Charter for Compassion Optional: A copy of Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong (New York:…
Alternate Activity 1: Real Life Challenges
From Virtue Ethics

Materials for Activity “Bicycle Rack” newsprint sheet from Opening Description of Activity Youth discuss ethical challenges they have faced. If someone shared an experience in check-in or during any workshop activities that the group would like to explore further, do so now. This could be…
Alternate Activity 2: Compassionate Heroes
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity A computer with Internet access and digital projector or a large monitor Preparation for Activity Preview the CNN website you will show the youth. Test equipment and Internet connection before the workshop….
Alternate Activity 3: Compassion as a Spiritual Practice
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Prayer for Compassion Writing paper and pens/pencils Preparation for Activity Copy the handout for all participants. Description of Activity Youth explore making compassion a spiritual practice….
Taking It Home: Compassion
From Virtue Ethics

One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion. — Simone de Beauvoir IN TODAY’S WORKSHOP… we talked about the virtue of compassion and ways to make compassion a spiritual practice. More Stories about…
The Prodigal Son
From Virtue Ethics

From Christian scripture, Luke 15:11-32 (New Revised Standard Version). Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the…
Handout 1: Prayer for Compassion

Elizabeth Tarbox

From Virtue Ethics

Spirit of Life, I give thanks for the opportunities to love that present themselves in the turmoil of life. When the light catches the tears in another’s eyes, where hands are held and there are moments without words, let us be present then, and alive to the possibility of changing….
Leader Resource 1: Who Says
From Virtue Ethics

1. Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men. http://thinkexist.com/quotation/wisdom-compassion-and_courage_are_the_t… (Confucianism) 2. I have observed that religious practice is not a precondition either of ethical conduct or of happiness itself.
Leader Resource 2: Charter for Compassion
From Virtue Ethics

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the…
Leader Resource 3: Compassion Dilemmas
From Virtue Ethics

Dilemma 1 If a person approaches you on the street and asks for money for food, do you give them what money you can spare? Some people are afraid that the person might be addicted and will spend the money on alcohol or other drugs. Therefore, your money is feeding their addictions….
Find Out More
From Virtue Ethics

Religious Tolerance has information and quotations on the Ethics of Reciprocity and the Golden Rule. Buddhism is well known as a religion that calls for compassion….

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 7: Compassion

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