CULTIVATING COMPASSION KEY COMPONENTS OF COGNITIVELYBASED COMPASSION TRAINING (CBCT)

Brooke Dodson-Lavelle Mind and Life Institute Emory University Tim Harrison Emory-Tibet Partnership

CBCTS APPROACH
Drawn from the lojong (training the mind) and lam rim

(stages of the path) traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, but rendered into secular form.

Developed as a protocol for

research on compassion training at Emory University by Geshe Lobsang Negi

WHAT MAKES IT COGNITIVELY-BASED?

CBCT recognizes a biologically-given

potential for compassion in all of us, but employs deliberate training to expand this capacity beyond the limits of ingroup/out-group bias.
Training relies heavily on analytical

reflections that alter our view, and in turn our behavior through meditation or contemplation: ethical know how vs. know what

KEY COMPONENTS OF CBCT

1. Attentional Stability 2. Self-Compassion

3. Impartiality
4. Affection and Empathy 5. Compassion

KEY COMPONENTS OF CBCT

1. Attentional Stability 2. Self-Compassion

3. Impartiality
4. Affection 5. Compassion

SELF-COMPASSION
Coming to an understanding of the relationship between

ones own emotions and actions, and ones experience of suffering and happiness
Gaining the insight that the conditions leading to

suffering can be transformed

Gaining confidence in ones ability to transform them Resolving to emerge from the causes of suffering

IMPARTIALITY
Dismantling biases based on the categories of friend,

stranger and enemy

Recognizing the equality of all based on their common

aspiration for happiness and to avoid suffering

Recognizing the shortsightedness of basing ones

attitude on the categories of friend, stranger and enemy

Expanding kinship with others

AFFECTION
Cultivating gratitude by reflecting on the kindness of

others
Reflecting on how interdependent we are with others Reflecting upon the shortcomings of self-centered

attitudes and behaviors and the benefits of altruistic attitudes and behaviors
Tuning in to the suffering of others

MAPS FOR CULTIVATING COMPASSION

-Typically delivered in 8-10 weeks, 2 hours per week plus regular at-home practice

-Adapted for use with school children (ages 5-9); adolescents in foster care (ages 13-17) and survivors of trauma
-CBCT intended to provide framework for deepening ones practice over time

CULTIVATE COMPASSION (ITS GOOD FOR YOU)

-Training reduces stress and inflammatory

markers including cortisol and IL-6 (Pace et al. 2009)

-Training enhances empathic accuracy (Mascaro et al. 2012)

-Training increases number and strength

of friendships (Dodson-Lavelle et al. in preparation)

www.tibet.emory.edu/cbct

TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM

LEVEL ONE

Introductory Intensive
8-day Retreat and Workshop Practicum Teaching Assistantship LEVEL TWO Co-Teaching Mentoring and Supervision Certification

www.tibet.emory.edu/cbct

COMPASSION TRAINING: A SYSTEMS APPROACH

Effective and sustainable training

requires community.
Effective trainings should also include support for

students, teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, etc.

THANK YOU
CALM STUDY Chuck Raison, MD Thaddeus W.W. Pace, PhD Teresa I. Sivilli Erica Lipizzi Kisha Frank Brendan Ozawa-de Silva, PhD Brooke Dodson-Lavelle Thomas W. Comstock, MD Bryan Price, MD Gaelle Desbordes, PhD Jenny Mascaro, PhD Matthias Mehl, PhD Andrea Burdett Sherri Lawal Nathan Phaneuf GRADY COMPASSION AND MEDITATION PROGRAM Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD Noelle Santorelli, PhD Telsie David, EdS Barbara A.B. Patterson, PhD

COMPASSION TRAINING AT PAIDEA SCHOOL Barbara Dunbar Kelly Richards Brendan Ozawa-de Silva Brooke Dodson-Lavelle Philippe Rochat, PhD Erin Robbins, PhD Dave Saunders Jordan Kohn Thaddeus W.W. Pace, PhD

FOSTER CHILDREN Commissioner B.J. Walker Lamar W. Smith Thaddeus W.W. Pace Allison Williams Primos Cobb Brooke Dodson-Lavelle Brendan Ozawa-de Silva, PhD Linda Craighead, PhD Sheethal Reddy, PhD Jose Morelli Dave Saunders Timothy Harrison Amanda Pema Brown Jordan Kohn Multiple Other DHS Staff