Feelings come and go like clouds... Conscious breathing is my anchor. - Thích Nhất Hạnh
-
Course 1: CCC Philosophy
A Happy Successful, and Meaningful Life through Knowledge, Strength and Compassion
Creating Compassionate Cultures introduces the philosophical foundation for the entire CCC curriculum and approach to creating a happy, successful and meaningful life through Awakening Knowledge, Strength and Compassion. This course explores the origins and inspiration behind the practice. It uncovers the philosophical roots of our program, provides the parallel discoveries in neuroscience that support our work, and introduces the practical application in a real life setting.
-
Course 2: The Guide
If you look in my heart you will, see a good thing to be.
- Brigg, 7 yrs old, Tara Redwood School StudentThis course provides a foundation in supporting teachers and parents as guides for their children through developing awareness of ourselves: our thoughts, attitudes, language, actions, etc. and the impact they have on the child. A critical look at social psychology, human development, psychology, and education, over the past few generations gives participants perspective on where we have been, how far we have come, and which misunderstandings of the past still impact our relationships to ourselves and others today. This course also introduces the neuroscience in relation to our role as guides, as well as an introduction to the pioneers in these fields and how they have informed the CCC curriculum.
-
Course 3: Mindful Intention
Step One
What do I really want?
An in-depth exploration into the dynamic experience of our daily lives and the impact of developing our awareness of what we really want, how we can get it, and the often unconscious psychology and practice that thwarts our efforts.
-
Course 4: Interconnection
Step Two
Everything comes from something. Everything is connected.
At the core of this course is an inquiry into the significance, power and influence each one of us An exploration into the nature of our world and how this reflects our inner psychology and experience. Approached from two perspectives, implications of interconnection sets the stage for further development of the knowledge that ultimately leads to a happier life for ourselves and others.
-
Course 5: Change
Step Three
Everything changes.A growing sense of self-awareness and responsibility, rooted in an interconnected world, often welcomes the freedom that comes with an understanding of the pervasive nature of change. This course highlights the dynamic aspect of interconnectedness and the psychological implications of change. Neuro-plasticity, the ability of our neuro-pathways to develop and change, further informs our exploration into our ability to bring positive transformation into the world.
-
Course 6: Perception
Step Four
My mind creates my reality.
This course focuses on the role of perception and its impact on the way we co-create our belief systems/values, our relationships, our understanding of the way the world exists, and of course, ourselves. The emphasis here is on familiarizing ourselves with the nature of perception, our own obvious and hidden perceptions, and how they relate to our everyday experience.
-
Course 7: Transforming Harmful Emotions
Step Five
Transforming Harmful Emotions
Transforming Harmful Emotions applies the knowledge gathered through the previous courses in a flexible and playful way for any classroom/home/business which holds the wish to empower people to develop their wisdom and compassion. This course describes the neuroscience behind the method and material, an overview of the Seven Colors, and how they are used to help develop self-awareness, logical reasoning and helpful language to express emotions and experiences with grace. This is done through the use of color and symbolism that children and adults can easily integrate into conflict resolution strategies, art, imagination, and their environment.
-
Course 8: Empathy
Step Six
Extend your understanding to others
This course is built on the foundation and practice applied throughout the Seven Steps so far. As one begins to see the universal wish for all beings to be happy, the impact and power the individual has as a part of this interconnected dynamic world becomes evident. Here we explore how to maintain this understanding daily in practical ways.
-
Course 9: Compassion
Step Seven
Put your compassion into action!
This course concludes the Seven Steps and focuses on putting our sense of inspiration and empowerment into positive beneficial action towards oneself and others, while maintaining the rationale and understanding that makes the behavior logical and natural, and sustainable.
-
Course 10: Daily Rituals
Daily Rituals is geared toward cultivating the essentials for setting up the kind of environment to most conducive to maintaining and supporting the development of the Awakening to Knowledge, Strength and Compassion. DR are practical tools for igniting the heart in the individual and in the classroom community toward the seven steps and their result: compassion. The course describes the fundamentals in the classroom structure, rituals that provide opportunities for individual and group communication, venues for practicing self-regulation techniques, practice in collective responsibility and conflict resolution through fun, beautiful, and lighthearted activities.
-
Course 11: Integrated Curriculum
This course shows how to integrate the Seven Steps and Daily Rituals into a thematic study in a cohesive and simple way. We will explore general themes such as Mandalas, a theme extensively integrated at Tara Redwood School, that can be applied to a number of settings, as well as through more specific thematic CCC curriculum developed for classrooms: The Becoming a Good Friend: Going In, Going Out (Preschool), Four Precious Elements (Primary), and Global Citizen Curriculum (Elementary). One does not need to be a teacher of these age groups, or a teacher at all, to get the most out of this course. All the curriculum is malleable and can be adjusted to meet new projects, programs and age groups.
-
Course 12: Portfolio Project
