Compassion Compass

My Compassion Story

Evolution of the Compassion Compass

By Sarah Miller

In 2024 I enrolled in a Compassion Course. It was taught by a friend as part of her training with the Compassion Institute, affiliated with the Medical School at Stanford University, California. From what I gathered, the Compassion Institute studies compassion and its benefits across many aspects of our lives. Although somewhat skeptical, I was happy to help an admired friend. The fact that it was connected to a respected program was a bonus.

I quickly realized that the course involved meditation—something I had tried about ten years prior but felt I never mastered. (It's difficult to meditate when your mind is going in many directions... “Just breathe,” you say... I was lucky to focus for about 15 seconds of a 10-minute meditation. Or worse—I would fall asleep.)

It soon became clear that the course did not just involve meditation, but meditation with purpose. The purpose was to develop compassion for others—and, surprisingly, compassion for myself. I won’t elaborate on the teachings of the course itself, but I will say this: I highly recommend taking a Compassion Course. There are many to choose from.

I would summarize what I personally gained by saying that I learned to look at my own life with compassion, and to view the lives of others with the same lens—those I’m close to, those I struggle with, and even those I barely know.

I continue to follow the guided meditations provided, and yes, I still sometimes fall asleep. As a result, I now listen to the meditations during my very early morning dog walks. It’s a calming and anxiety-free way to start the day.

A few months ago, it occurred to me that I wanted something tangible—something I could keep in my pocket as a reminder to extend compassion to myself and others... to help calm me when the need arises... something smooth... something natural...

That’s how the Compassion Compass was born. It is a polished, tactile wooden disc that symbolizes directing compassion inward, and then extending that same compassion outward—to everyone.

The Maple Leaf Edition of the Compassion Compass carries the same idea but with a uniquely Canadian touch. It represents compassion for ourselves and for our fellow Canadians—even those we may not agree with. In uncertain times, compassion is a valuable commodity.

I keep my Compassion Compass in my other pocket.

If in doubt, lead with compassion.