Testimonials

  Trees have a special magic for me, and with that they have become very important symbols in my life. This particular tree I created keeping the following question in mind: What is Compassion Cultivation for me, and how did the training change my life? When I took the CCT course I was practicing Mindfulness Meditation for already about 5 years. The meditation practice helped me to heal and ground myself, in analogy to the roots anchoring and nourishing a tree (the collaged tea leaves stand for the nourishment, the glass beads for the water.) The trunk of the tree symbolizes the more integral me after the healing. At that point in time, I was looking for more meaningful growth, more ways to take my practice off the cushion, and share it by connecting with others. CCT offered me this and much more, represented in the crown of the tree, reaching out and sharing by connecting. The Self-compassion part helped me to accept not only my shortcomings, but also my old scars, without judging or criticizing (dead branches of the tree, an integral part of the overall appearance), and to grow resilience. CCT helped to discover new sources and unfold more skills. Like the tree investing the nourishment into the crown, I learned to invest and apply all the nurturing and centering qualities from my meditation practice into my daily activities (visualized in the thicker branches, growing into twigs and leaves, eventually bearing some flowers.) Continued CCT practice, guided by Dan and Tsering, encourages me to further open my heart, and discover more aspirations (symbolized by the butterflies, another symbol with deep meaning). I want to thank Dan and Tsering for their enriching influence in my life. Through their generosity and engagement, I found a new path in life. And in every weekly CCT community meditation and refresher, I feel guided further on this path.           

Adjunct faculty, Philosophy, University of Guelph

Fellow, Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics

Member, Women for Humane Canada

Over decades I have been trained by world leaders in Mindfulness and Mindfulness Meditation. All of them taught me something important that I could integrate into my practice. Perhaps none more than Cultivating Compassion Training (CCT) resonated with my heart. Perhaps it was that Thupten Jinpa was my first teacher as he sat in enobling dignity at the side of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, translating his words. Perhaps it was sitting with the CCT teachers Tsering Tsomo and Dan D'Agostino. Perhaps it was the teaching of heart based intelligence and perception that was a relief from the enskulled brain thinking that has dominated our educational systems. It is difficult to discern because all these things came to play in my training in CCT and my love of this practice. Whatever arose for me as I learned the CCT practice, it is a practice that has "stuck" to me, grounding me, allowing me infinite opportunities to practice this beloved practice that brings me "home" to the world I wish to live in and help cultivate.

Michele Chaban MSW, RSW ( retired) PhD.

In class Dan displayed a keen intelligence of the Buddhist theory that he not only was skilled in but was able to bring forward examples from his daily living that demonstrated his willingness to live in the “compassionate way” which is remarkable for a teacher.  

Tsering’s gentle ability to live with compassion by always being present with students in the moment to guide us through understanding the core elements of the teachings which I think was from her unique perspective and perhaps her background. To me, Tsering’s manner was always kind, resilient and understanding of anyone’s situation. 

In combination, these two facilitators/teachers, are a dynamic duo who can develop rapport with all ages, backgrounds, and professions.  It seemed to me that the intent of the course was to ‘dig deep’ into your understanding of the term compassion and bring out a new understanding or learning of this term so that we could define it for our own self which in turn allows us to use it as we interact with the world around us.  This new tool is an opening to improved relationships, or an elevated higher self. 

Dan and Tsering effortlessly accomplish all of this over the course of the time you spend with them.  Dan and Tsering come with a positive attitude, and I highly recommend both them and their course for anyone who is seeking to explore themselves, how to be more compassionate, or gain a higher understanding of working with others in an impactful manner. 

Colleen Yamamoto

Project Coordinator

Essential Skills Media Tools 

Aboriginal Essential Skills Guiding Team

Mireille de Reland

Program Leader and Consultant, De Reland Consulting Inc.

Mindfulness Facilitator for end-of-life care patients, family caregivers and seniors community programs

Compassion Cultivation Training helps students to develop feelings of calm and equanimity both for ourselves and others (even those for whom we find it difficult to feel compassion) as opposed to frantic unexamined habitual responses to adversity and propagates compassion and understanding instead of violence, hostility, jealousy, and greed. These are all qualities that will be necessary for us to cultivate to meet the challenges facing our fragile and increasingly endangered planet.  

Blair Kuntz

University of Toronto Library