Hold a discussion to explore compassion, ask:

  • Can anyone give an example of a time they received compassion or showed compassion to someone?
  • Why is compassion important?
  • Do you think everyone has compassion? Why or why not?
  • Would it be a different world if everyone showed compassion to each other all the time?

Explain that compassion begins with feeling empathy towards how another is feeling. Empathy is the ability to understand how another person feels. You don’t need to become like them, instead learn to be sensitive to how they are feeling, and to care about them.

Remember – In order to learn how to practice a value, it is not enough to be told what a value is; people need to experience what it feels like to express that value and come up with their own understanding. Guide participants with questions but allow them to do most of the talking. That way they will reach a deeper understanding!