ing compassion. Joan is a
Zen-Buddhist teacher, anthro-
pologist, ecologist, civil rights
activist, hospice caregiver and
author. She embodies compas-
sion. She begins this TED Talk
by quoting the Dalai Lama,
"Love and compassion are
necessities. They are not luxu-
ries. Without them, humanity
cannot survive."
enhances our immune system
and fosters resiliency. She
describes how compassion ac-
tivates the motor cortex. That
we, as human beings, actually
aspire to transform suffering.
What an amazing awareness
that we, all of us, are able to
transform suffering through
compassion. By being present
with an open heart and mind
we can not only transform
the suffering of others but
also our own. Recently, there
has been a palpable void of
compassion. So much anger
and hostility directed at one
a world, that is paralyzed by
fear. And in that paralysis, of
course, our capacity for com-
passion is also paralyzed."
this, how can we chose to re-
spond differently to our fears
and to the fears of others with
compassion? Blame, shame,
indifference, anger and judge-
ment are responses that grow
fear. Curiosity, compassion,
patience, respect, and valida-
tion of feelings are responses
that grow compassion. We can
choose to become more mind-
ful and more intentional, with
our words and our actions, giv-
ing power to compassion over
fear. Compassion is responsive,
fear is reactive. Let's resolve
to grow compassion in 2017
by engaging in activities that
transform suffering.
ist at Ellen F. Casper, PH.D and
Associates in Beachwood. For
more information she can be
reached at 216.464.4243.