The World’s Most Powerful Idea, 10 Years Later

It seemed so obvious, so simple. So powerful. I was in the TED audience ten years ago when Karen Armstrong won the 2008 TED prize, which led to her launching the Charter for Compassion. 

The Charter is based upon “a principle embraced by every faith and by every moral code. It is often referred to as The Golden Rule.”  

Now, more than ever… Any five minutes watching cable news is a constant reminder… Each of us must internalize what the charter means to us, and how we can live it in our own lives, at work, and in our communities…

CHARTER FOR COMPASSION (excerpt)

To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. 

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world.

Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity.

Please, take a moment…

1. Sign the charter, share it with others

2. Then allow yourself to be transported to a meaningful place with one of these TED talks…

Krista Tippet: Reconnecting with compassion

Feisal Abdul Rauf: Lose your ego, find your compassion

Dayananda Saraswati: The profound journey of compassion

Joan Halifax: Compassion and the true meaning of empathy

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Bill Jensen Site, Twitter, FB. Bill’s latest book, Future Strong, is about the five deeply personal choices each of us must make to be ready for all the disruptive tomorrows heading our way.