Project Details
"Evolving" Plans for the One Book One Community
Members of the CP Forum decided they would like to leverage the planned visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Western Connecticut State University in the fall of 2012 to promote his message for building a global human community based on compassion and mutual respect through the cultivation of inner values. In preparation for the Dalai Lama’s visit the Forum, in partnership with the CCSU Library and Capital Community College, is coordinating a One Book One Community reading of the Dalai Lama’s most recent book, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World. The One Book project will organize itself using a systems approach with the following steps:
- Invite schools, libraries, colleges and universities to participate.
- Create a website hosted by the CCSU library with links to each participating institution and with a calendar of events.
- Each participating entity will be functionally autonomous and organize and carry out its own “one book” program guided by the following steps:
a. Form a One Book One Community (1B1C) committee
b. Market the 1B1C event throughout their organization and invite individuals within their school or organization to read Beyond Religion.
d. Create discussion questions
e. Hold at least one discussion meeting and possibly other educational events, e.g. videos, webinars, lectures.
f. Post events on their own websites and on the One Book Central website. (Each school/organization can decide if they wish to make their events private or open to other participating entities).
g. For those who are interested, attend the “day of reflection” at CCSU on October 19.
Mindful Education: Building Inner Resilience - October 19, 2012
The “one book” reading of Beyond Religion: Ethics for the Whole World will culminate with a day of reflection entitled Mindful Education: Building Inner Resilience from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The goals of the day are to:
a. Reflect on the Dalai Lama’s ideas for cultivating moral ethics and inner values
b. Learn how contemplative practices are currently being integrated into education and counseling; and,
c. Understand how contemplative practices can serve as an antidote to a materialistic society and create a more spiritual and humane ethos.
Plans are underway to simulcast the Dalai Lama’s 9:30 am to 11:30 am presentation at WCSU. The day will also include presentations by scholars in contemplative practices and opportunities to participate in a dialogue with fellow attendees.