The Compassion Renaissance

  Why Compassion Cultivation Training Should Matter (a Lot) to Christians: 12 Reasons Richard K. Stephens June 15, 2022 816 words (plus notes) *** The scientific claims made in several of the 12 seasons are backed up in the endnotes. *** It is now recognized by neuroscientists that compassion is a learnable skill The purpose of Compassion cultivation training is neuroplastic. It is not meant to create temporary mental states but rather to “rewire” the brain so that it gains an enduring trait of compassion. According to neuroplasticity expert Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz, a Christian, the process involves action by the Holy Spirit. The trait of compassion can be built up with proper practice, but it can also atrophy from lack of maintenance. The reputation of Christianity suffers from widespread perceptions of hypocrisy and selfish un-Christlike salvation-centered religiosity. I know from personal experience that Elders, Deacons and even some Pastors of highly respected churches are...

  A) PRE-HISTORY, EARLY NON-CHRISTIAN 1.8 million BC - Dmanisi in Georgia, however, holds the world record for the ancientness of this strange human trait: benevolence. “We found an old individual with only one tooth,” says David Lordkipanidze, a paleoanthropologist and the manager of the Dmanisi site. “Can you imagine how hard it would be to survive with such a condition? So he had to be taken care of.” Lordkipanidze is referring to a mandible catalogued as D3900. It is thick and round-chinned and archaic beyond imagining. It comes from some wandering creature that may have been a Homo erectus. D3900 gummed its last meal, possibly fed into its lips by another’s hairy fingers, 1.8 million years ago. [Paul Salopek, “The Natural History of Compassion: A fossil site in Georgia hints at the evolution of kindness.” Out of Eden Walk, Nov. 10, 2015] 661 - The earliest extant dated text of the Heart Sutra is a stone stele dated to 661 CE located at Yunju Temple. "Form is emptiness (...