Compassionate Action Network & Charter For Compassion

I was excited to be present for the unveiling of the Charter For Compassion in Seattle last night. It turned out that we were one of 125 sites around the world to participate in the unveiling. Who doesn't like to feel special. When I went on line to affirm the Charter yesterday afternoon there were just over 3,000 people who had affirmed it, checking now there's over 7,800, now it's over 8,000 I feel the rippling effects of the stone cast in the pond.

community aligned with common purpose
remembering the ancients truths of humanity
we see a more peaceful & compassionate world

The charter was read aloud by and we watched the video of the charter being spoken. We were encouraged to listen with our hearts, listen deeply, listen to the silences as well as the words. We were given an opportunity to discuss it, and state what we wished for in the world. The focus of the gathering was not only the unveiling of the charter, but to encourage a focus of compassionate action for the next 50 days.

A woman said she and her daughters text each other everyday. One of the things they include is an act of compassionate they witnessed that day. I love that.

A gentleman, I think his name was Larry, told my favorite story:

There was a boy walking along the shore, picking up starfishes, and throwing them back into the ocean. A gentleman asked what he was doing. When he told him he was helping the starfishes, the gentleman pointed out that there were hundreds of starfishes on the shore so it really wouldn't make a difference. The boy bent over picked up the next starfish, tossed it in the ocean and replied, "It made a difference to that one."

Another sponsor of the event was the Compassionate Listening Project. A woman from this organization lead us in a two person exercise where we listened (deeply and compassionately) to one person speak for 4 minutes without saying anything verbally. Then the other person listened to us. It was a moving experience. I thought about how lucky I am in my life to have people who listen to me. It is sacred.

A third sponsor, Seattle Center for Peace, gave us the gift of a white wrist band to wear the next 50 days. I presume it's a reminder to focus on compassion. I put mine on immediately and hope to wear all 50 days. By synchronicity alone, I managed to tie the knot at a perfect length to allow me to remove it (for bathing probably) and put it back on. Awesome, free bracelet, yeah.

The event was able to be held in a large comfortable room with hot tea thanks to the sponsorship of St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Broadway in Seattle.

The "organization" that I learned about the local event from is CAN(Compassionate Action Network) one of the sponsoring members of this event. Here's info about them from their website:

About the Compassionate Action Network

In 2008, the City of Seattle welcomed His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and other luminaries to an event called Seeds of Compassion. The purpose of the five-day gathering was to nurture kindness and compassion in children and all those who touch their lives. One outcome of the event is the Compassionate Action Network (CAN) that makes it easier for you to make a difference!

What is the Compassionate Action Network?
CAN is a network of self-organizing groups who share a common vision for a compassionate world.

Vision
To Awaken Compassion in Our Children, Ourselves, and Our World.

Mission
To build a global network for self-organizing groups to connect, collaborate, and take action to awaken compassion in our children, ourselves, and our world.

Bless everyone who organized,  and attended the event for The Unveiling of The Charter For Compassion for enriching my life and that of our global family. Namaste.