Evolution of the Compassion Compass
In early 2024, I was 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 and promotes 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 attempted many times 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 ten-minute meditation. Or worse—I would fall asleep.)
It became clear that in this course, there was much more to the meditation than I had experienced. There was more purpose to it. The purpose was to develop compassion for others—and, surprisingly, compassion for myself. I learned to look at my own life with compassion or simply kindness, 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 continued to follow the guided meditations provided, and yes, I was still sometimes falling asleep. As a result, I now listen to the meditations during my early morning dog walks. It’s a calming and anxiety-free way to start the day.
More recently, it occurred to me that I wanted something tangible to hold on to—something I could keep in my pocket (other than my phone which already occupies a pocket) as a reminder to extend compassion to myself and others... to help calm me when the need arises... something smooth... something natural...
What resulted is a finely sanded and polished, tactile wooden disc that symbolizes directing compassion inward, and then extending that same compassion outward—to everyone! And of course it's called the Compassion Compass.
I keep my Compassion Compass close at hand...usually it's in my other pocket.
Sarah
FYI: 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 can be a valuable commodity.