I live on a two-way road that has only one lane

This email contains pictures, if you don’t see them, view it online



	from the director

	There is no path I'd rather roam, than these narrow lanes about my home, to leave my troubles far behind, as I follow its track to places kind. For along your path there is no wrong just pretty flower, and bird of song Nature's beauty all around, to fill my sight, to fill my sound. ~By Chris Plows A little over a year ago I moved. I live on a two-way road that has only one lane. I’ve been thinking about that lane. Walking or driving down it you are reminded of one unwritten rule—“to travel here you must yield.” There is no sign announcing how you can proceed, just common sense. For us, if you travel north, there are places to pull over to let a car go by. There are none when traveling south, just a deep ditch. Another unwritten rule is that you need to go slowly. Neither of these unscripted rules are directions on how to live life, but they certainly are helpful. It seems impolite when you see people you know, not to stop, lower your car window and exchange a few words. The very least you are expected to do is wave. You do that when you are in a hurry, and it is understood that you must move on. When you go slowly, you notice if your neighbors, or their dogs, are limping or walking vigorously. It seems everyone along this road has small gardens. Several will welcome your passing their property with a greeting of “do you want some plums,” or “I have some extra squash, do you want some?” It sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? It is, if for only the amount of time it takes to walk or drive that mile and a half until you reach the two-way road that is really a two-way road. With warm regards, Marilyn



GLOBAL GALA HIGHLIGHTED On November 20th, be prepared to engage as the Charter for Compassion gathers worldwide to recognize some of the most extraordinary and honorable people whose lives signify compassionate action to the 10th degree. Learn more about the event and register. Over the next nine weeks we'd like to introduce you to the recipients of our Charter for Compassion Humanitarian Awards. Our first honoree is Dr. Vandana Shiva, Indian physicist and social activist. Shiva founded the Research Foundation for Science, Technology, and Natural Resource Policy (RFSTN), an organization devoted to developing sustainable methods of agriculture. Vandana does not mince words, she does not limit her thoughts to theory alone. She is a woman of action. Her activism is rooted in promoting counter-development and supporting grassroots networks, women's rights, and ecology. Vandana started Navdanya, a biodiversity conservation program to support local farmers, rescue and conserve crops and plants that are being pushed to extinction and to make them available through direct marketing. Navdanya is actively involved in the rejuvenation of indigenous knowledge and culture. Learn more about her on our Global Gala pages.

CHARTER EDUCATION INSTITUTE COURSES AND CHarter Events

LAST CHANCE! THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS With “The Gift of Forgiveness," we are welcoming back Deborah Briggs, instructor and author of one of the Charter’s most successful courses, Growing Whole, Not Old - Aging in the Pandemic Age (Formerly "Awakening the Sage Within"). In that course she introduced hundreds to the concept of Sage-ing®. During this workshop, we will delve into ‘forgiveness:' one of the core concepts of the Sage-ing® Movement. We will develop greater compassion for ourselves as we begin to free ourselves from the painful burdens we have carried. This course provides us with the opportunity to live more fully once we learn that things we saw as negative can be transformed into the foundation for living more fully. By exploring the concept of forgiveness, we can uncover pearls of wisdom and experience the healing power of reframing experiences. As we begin to repair painful relationships, we can develop a deeper and more universal self-love. This is pivotal to the work of wise aging and to developing compassion. Starts October 4th, Cost: $30

Ecological Civilization From Emergency to Emergence David Korten is not necessarily asking us to read any of his books for next month's Global Read though he considers his work, Change the Story, Change the Future to be appropriate. Instead, he is asking you to read his most recent essay, Ecological Civilization: From Emergency to Emergence. He is offering the essay free by clicking on the PDF link here. David introduces his essay in this way: "This is a personal white paper directed to those who seek a future that works for all of Earth’s people and other beings. It weaves together threads of ongoing conversations with global colleagues in which I am privileged to participate. These conversations build from a simple, self-evident insight that carries profound implications for all that we do and seek to be." October 20, 9 am PDT Donation or Free

conversation collective Do you wish you had a place you could exhale and connect with people seeking to build a better society one mindful conversation at a time? Then the Conversation Collective is for you. Citizen Discourse and Charter for Compassion are offering two weekly conversations that help us build our emotional intelligence skills, connect with new people, and become better listeners. Drop in and join us. Get centered, meet global citizens and practice civil discourse. If you're curious and wish to learn more, reach out by email to . Mondays at 3:00 pm PT and Thursdays at 9:00 am PT

RISE SECTOR MEETING Religion, interfaith, and Spirituality for Everyone The Charter for Compassion invites you to join us in revitalizing our RISE (Religion, Interfaith, and Spirituality for Everyone) Sector. We welcome your presence and input. September 28, 8 am PDT Donation or Free Register Here

COMPASSIONATE INITIATIVES

CANADIANS FOR COMPASSION The Charter for Compassion invites you to join us in revitalizing Canadians4Compassion. On September 28 at 3pm PDT, we welcome existing compassionate community initiatives and individuals interested in starting such an initiative in their community to meet. This will also be an opportunity for us to explore, just as a few other country initiatives have, offering compassionate programming for Canadians, but available to others globally. September 28 3pm PT. Donation or Free Register here.

SHAREABLE Compassionate Community Webinar Every month we hold a Compassionate Community webinar highlighting the incredible work being done around the globe. In September, join us for a special conversation with Charter Partner Shareable. Founded in 2009, Shareable is an award-winning nonprofit media outlet, action network, and consultancy that empowers people to share for a more resilient, equitable, and joyful world. Shareable offers valuable opportunities for Charter communities to connect and amplify the work they are doing. September 29, 8:30-9:30 am PDT Donation or Free Register here

from our partners
then. now. now then? A conversation with Naomi Shihab-Nye and Pádraig Ó’Tuama Listen in as world-renowned poets, Naomi Shihab Nye & Pádraig Ó’Tuama deeply reflect on where we find ourselves as a people and a planet. October 3, 2pm CDT Free


living in my skin A Faithful Conversation on Anti-racism The purpose of this extraordinary exhibit* painted by San Antonio artist, Lionel Sosa, is to shine a light on today’s reality, what it’s like to be a Black man or boy in San Antonio, and to help bring about a better understanding of each other as a community. Especially through community conversation... Come. See the portraits. Hear from Lionel. Hear from some San Antonians in those portraits. Converse with others. Let's continue to heal Our City together... October 5, 7:30am CDT Free

INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION Creating Your Personal Path & Meditation Practice A Universal 7-Step Process, the 7-steps of ISM are drawn from the world’s great spiritual and secular traditions. This universal meditative process is designed to help you create your personal spiritual path, to develop your meditative practice and to companion others on their journey. ISM empowers health, happiness, gratitude, transformation, love, mindfulness, wisdom and service. It celebrates diversity and inclusivity by fostering life's meaning and purpose through active engagement in the challenges of our lives. The course includes 8 weekly 90-minute ZOOM sessions and an extensive course website. Starts October 6th, Cost: $8/month

COLLECTIVE TRAUMA SUMMIT 2021 A 10-Day Online Event with 45+ Experts to Explore How to Work With Individual, Ancestral, and Collective Trauma. Join over 100,000+ souls for an all NEW online event with expert presentations, talks, poetry readings, movement sessions, guided meditations, and panel discussions where we will delve into the theme of Collective Healing in Action. September 19th through 28th

Consider a volunteer opportunity with the Charter for Compassion! We are looking to grow much of what we are already doing and exploring new opportunities that match our mission. Let's see if we're a good fit! Please take our survey.
TAKE ACTION Go to our TAKE ACTION page to find a variety of ways in which to interact with the Charter and some of our key strategic partners. The Charter for Compassion is essentially a movement with many different players; individuals, compassionate cities, partner organizations and coalitions of other organizations all coming together as one network. As a non-profit, the Charter relies on the generosity of its members and communities to continue to meet our mission of making compassion a clear, luminous, and dynamic force in our polarized world. Help us share our vision and work with your family, colleagues, neighbors, and organizations in which you are involved. Host a Charter Salon with friends and family, at home, with your faith community, or colleagues from work. We have everything you need: invitations, links to films, brochures, PowerPoints if you prefer, and even talking points. Contact Us and we’ll get back to you, follow up with an e-mail, call or Zoom meeting. We rely on people who believe in our mission to help touch the lives of those in local communities and across the world.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHARTER The Charter for Compassion has a bold, audacious vision of co-creating a world that works for everyone. Please support the Charter with a monthly contribution that helps to build this global compassionate community - person by person, school by school, and city by city. Thank you!





charterforcompassion.org \| contact us You don’t want to receive our news anymore, please unsubscribe.

I live on a two-way road that has only one lane

CHARTER EDUCATION INSTITUTE COURSES AND CHarter Events

COMPASSIONATE INITIATIVES

from our partners

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHARTER