As a nation of educators, parents, children and their family members – how can we come to terms with that event? Is there a response educators and communities could make that would help us all to heal? And is there a way to reduce the number of people in our world who are capable of taking actions like those Adam Lanza took?
These concerns brought me back to the question of whether compassion could be taught. From my spiritual training as a Buddhist in a Tibetan lineage, I knew beyond doubt that the answer is YES. Training in compassion has been practiced in the East for thousands of years. Practices to awaken and strengthen compassion for all beings, in all circumstances, are the foundation of every young monk and nun’s education – and even a middle-class, middle-aged guy like me can benefit significantly from them.
by Scott Cronenweth
