Cultivate compassion for your community and yourself at CU Boulder Days of Compassion
Compassion is a profound and fundamental part of the human experience. Cultivating compassion can be a source of joy and resilience as we take on the important challenges of our world today.
CU Boulder Days of Compassion is a series of events over three days, October 9 through 11, that invite you to contemplate and practice compassion in community. The University Libraries, the Renée Crown Wellness Institute, and the Contemplative Resource Center bring you this series in celebration of the 23-24 Buffs One Read, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World.
Day 1 - Oct 9, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Film Screening of Mission Joy
Mission Joy is a filmed conversation between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who impart lessons gleaned from lived experience, ancient traditions and cutting-edge science regarding how to live with joy, humor and wisdom in the face of life’s challenges. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Thupten Jinpa, the founder and director of the Compassion Institute and principal author of Compassion Cultivation Training. Panelists will discuss the film’s message and how compassion and joy can make us more resilient to tackle the important social and environmental challenges that face us in a changing world. Other panelist and facilitators include:
- Reiland Rabaka: Founder and director of the Center for African & African American Studies and professor of African, African American, and Caribbean Studies in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder
- Sona Dimidjian: Director and founding faculty fellow of the Renée Crown Wellness Institute, professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder.
The panel will be moderated by Michele Simpson, senior instructor, Farrand RAP, research associate and faculty fellow of the Crown Wellness Institute and Holly Gayley, professor of religious studies and founding team member of the Contemplative Resource Center. Registration is required.
Day 2 - Oct 10, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Guided Practice on Norlin Quad with Thupten Jinpa
Thupten Jinpa, the founder and director of the Compassion Institute and principal author of Compassion Cultivation Training, will lead our community in a guided practice. Learn about campus services and offerings that support contemplative practices as well as individual and community well-being. Representatives from campus groups focused on supporting the cultivation of joy, compassion and well-being will be present and available to share information and resources. First-year and transfer students can get a complimentary copy of The Book of Joy.
Day 3, Oct 11, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Open Houses
We invite you to visit a number of open houses across campus. Campus partners focussed on supporting the cultivation of joy, compassion and well-being will welcome you and be available to share information.
Renée Crown Wellness Institute Mindful Campus Program
Join the Renée Crown Wellness Institute from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for opportunities to learn about the Mindful Campus Program and the Crown Institute and for a drop-in mindfulness practice from 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. The Mindful Campus Program offers 8-week mindfulness sessions, weekly community of practices and speaker series.
If you plan to join the mindfulness practice, please register here.
Come to Norlin’s East Entrance to explore the Meditation Room, get info about the Buffs One Read and participate in a zine workshop.
Rec Center
The Rec Center will host its regularly scheduled Breathwork and Meditation class in the Mind Body Studio, adding compassionate journaling to promote compassion for yourself and others through personal journaling. Each participant will receive a journal and pencils, pens and crayons will be available for use. You will learn how to incorporate journaling into your day that includes moments of joy, understanding and compassion.
Meet us at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Humanities building on the Norlin Quad side. We’ll use the lawn for guided mindfulness practice and exercises outdoors. Please join any time. In case of rain, we’ll use the foyer of Humanities.