When Penguin Random House approached me to write a blog on their new publication by the Dalai Lama I immediately thought, “yes, of course!” But, when I saw that the book is for children, and that it teaches compassion, I was thoroughly delighted!
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THE SEED OF COMPASSION: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is all that I imagined and more. It is beautifully written and illustrated. And, more importantly, the story gives the reader an important insight into understanding how a little boy from a culture far removed from the west grew into a man who sees it as his, “duty to help make the world a more compassionate place.”
THE SEED OF COMPASSION’S GIFTS TO CHILDREN
As a mother it always brings me great joy to see my children demonstrating compassion. They seem to come by it so naturally. My daughter loves animals and cares for her cat and dog with compassion and nurturing. My son is solidly loyal to his friends and supports them with compassion and understanding.
To be able to share the Dalai Lama’s childhood story with them allows my children to feel secure in their demonstration of compassion to others. And, it enhances their understanding that compassion is worldwide and should be shared with everyone.
The Seed of Compassion teaches children that compassion is something everyone is capable of feeling for others AND something everyone deserves to feel from others. This children’s book teaches our kiddos that we all have the seeds of compassion in us! It teaches them that it doesn’t matter if we are rich or poor, what we look like, or where we come from, compassion is in us all.
The story also helps children to understand that compassion is something that we can share with others with something as simple as a smile. The Dalai Lama reminds children about how good it feels to see another child smile at them. He tells the kids how easy it is to smile!
THE SEED OF COMPASSION’S GIFTS TO ADULTS
This beautiful children’s book about compassion is not just for children. This is one of those rare books that can be appreciated by adults as well.
While the Dalai Lama’s story is focused on teaching children that they have the seed of compassion in them, it also serves to remind adults that we too have the seed of compassion in us! And that we too need compassion.
Just like he reminds the children about how nice smiles are, he reminds adults how it feels to approach someone with warmheartedness! He reminds us that this, “brings more joy to you and them.”
We adults tend to get so caught-up in our busy schedules we forget that how we interact with people affects everyone. We are often so caught-up in getting through all of our daily tasks, we are not even aware of the look on our face, let alone if we have warmth in our hearts.
This children’s book about compassion inspires adults to stop and think about their own seeds of compassion. It inspires us to value compassion for others over competition and materialism.
So often I meet people who believe that aggression and being unkind is a sign of strength. His Holiness believes that showing compassion is a sign of strength. We will be well-served to follow his belief in this.
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The Seed of Compassion also gives adults the opportunity to have important discussions with their children about the topics of compassion and competition and materialism. Here are a few questions to start your discussion, but please add your own as the conversation progresses:
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SEEDS OF COMPASSION FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What did the Dalai Lama experience when he was little that, “sprouted his seed of compassion?”
Do you think it was scary for him leaving his home when he was little to go to the monastery to become the Dalai Lama?
Do you think compassion helped him feel better about leaving his home?
Why do you think that the Dalai Lama believes that compassion is so important?
How do you feel when someone is compassionate towards you?
How do you feel when you are compassionate towards others?
I hope that you will enjoy this beautiful book as much as I did! And I hope that it will help you find more compassion in your life!
With Compassion and Gratitude,
Jen
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JEN ROBINSON
Jen Robinson is the creative force behind the wellness brand Peaceful Living Wellness which is dedicated to providing a wide-variety of high-quality wellness information. Jen is also the creator of the Peaceful Living Wellness life coaching division, and offers workshops, individual and group coaching as well as retreats where she guides women in using Mindfulness and Mindset to build their inner strength on a foundation of inner peace. Jen also is the co-creator of the business coaching brand CEO Mindset that guides entrepreneurs in building their businesses without burning out.
The latest addition to her repertoire is that she recently signed-on as the Wellness Director for the business development company Wealthy Women Entrepreneurs . She is very excited to be leading this group of dynamic women entrepreneurs into success in their businesses and lives!
The most important part of Jen’s life are her two very active teenagers, AJ & Layna!
Jen’s Mindfulness and Mindset techniques inform her business, her parenting and her life!
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