Missions 6 and 7 of the

For Reflection: Before moving on to Mission #7, take a moment to reflect on yesterday's mission. How did it feel to open your heart to another? Was it scary, difficult, exhilarating? What was the effect of this action on your own well-being and on the person you shared with? How might you live with your heart more openly throughout the year? If you haven't done so, post your reflections and experiences on the Compassion Report Map to amplify your compassionate action!

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” -Let There Be Peace on Earth, Song by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller Our seventh and final mission, Agents, is to make an offering of peace to another person or community from the sincerest depths of our hearts. Let us kick off this mission by listening to the song that moved Pope Francisduring the interreligious encounter at the Ground Zero Memorial in New York. Peace is not a noun, a thing, but rather it is a verb, a continuous intention, a way of being in the world. Peace is the willingness to be vulnerable, to seek understanding, to strive for respect and integrity, to be humble, and to reach across the chasms of disconnection and confusion with the full intention of creating lasting bonds of compassion and love. Today’s mission, Agents, is to make an offering of peace to a person or community you feel would benefit from such an act. It might be a religious or spiritual community that has been traditionally excluded from your society. Perhaps it is a community of a different culture or place that you want to make feel more welcome. It could even be a person that you wish to have a more peaceful relationship with, whether this is a friend, family member, or coworker. Create an offering of peace in your own way - which could be a work of art, your words, a letter, a hug - and offer it to them today. As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map to amplify its power! Check out all of the inspiring reports posted on the map so far! Each day during World Interfaith Harmony Week the Compassion Torch will be passed to a new Champion of Compassion. For Day 7 of World Interfaith Harmony Week, we are humbled to finally pass the torch from Fetzer Institute to King Abdullah II of Jordan, and his initiative, World Interfaith Harmony Week! Read Our Featured Story About King Abdullah II and Harmony Week Here! Inspiration for Mission #7: The inspiration for our final World Interfaith Harmony Week Coopetition is from the profound global warrior of Peace, Pope Francis. “Instead of being just a church that welcomes and receives by keeping the doors open, let us try also to be a church that finds new roads ... to those who have quit or are indifferent.” For Reflection: Before moving on to Mission #6, take a moment to reflect on yesterday's mission and what it was like to Unify with Unifyre! If you haven't done so, post your reflections and experiences on the Compassion Report Map to amplify your compassionate action! “The longest journey you will make in your life is from your head to your heart."  The Teaching of a Sioux Legend Today’s sixth mission, Agents, is to heed the call of our hearts by opening its secrets to someone we love. Too often, our experiences in life lead us to believe that having an open heart is a form of weakness, a way for others to hurt us. In response, we learn to build great barriers around our hearts so that we can protect ourselves from pain. Sadly as a result, the way to our heart becomes overgrown with thorns, brambles, and the path is nearly forgotten. Yet the heart needs no map, for it always calls to us to return to it. We know - from decades of research and thousands of years of teachings from wisdom traditions - that an open and loving heart is central to our happiness and well-being. When we express the deepest parts of ourselves to others who care for us, not only are we more joyful as a result, but those we care for are happier, as well. It takes courage to open one’s heart, but to live an authentic life, one must be willing to take those risks to transcend our fears and find peace within ourselves. By doing so, we inspire others to share themselves as well, and together with open hearts, we can find our way to a more peaceful and loving world. Today’s mission, Agents, is to share something that is close to your heart with someone you care about. It may be opening up about something you need help with but were too afraid to ask. It could be sharing how you feel for this person, or how much you care about them. Identify within yourself a meaningful way to open your heart to another, and see what effect it has on yourself and on them. As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map to amplify its power! Check out all of the inspiring reports posted on the map so far! Going Deeper: Want to take this Mission a bit further? Dr. James Doty, Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University and champion of compassion, developed an mnemonic alphabet of the heart to deepen the practice of opening the heart every day. Read the alphabet of the heart here, and use it to guide and support your journey in opening your heart to another for today’s mission. Each day during World Interfaith Harmony Week the Compassion Torch will be passed to a new Champion of Compassion. For Day 6 of World Interfaith Harmony Week, we are very, very blessed to pass the Compassion Torch from the Choose Love Foundation to Meg Gaiser, and Leadership for Diversity It is for their timely vision of our world's needs and so much more that we are honored to spotlight Leadership for Diversity as today's Champion of Compassion. Read Our Featured Story About Leadership for Diversity Here! Inspiration for Mission #6: Inspiration for this mission comes from the teachings and lifelong commitment of His Holiness the 16th Dalai Lama, who says, “My religion is simple. My religion is kindness.” Additional Resources: Read the Dalai Lama’s book called “The Art of Happiness” Read Dr. James Doty’s new book called “Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and Secrets of the Heart”

Mission 5 of Interfaith Harmony Week

For Reflection: Before moving on to Mission #5, take a moment to reflect on yesterday's mission. Mission #4 went from the universal of the Golden Rule to the deeply personal. How did it feel to identify the acts of kindness you find extra meaningful when you are the recipient? Wonderful Was it difficult? No Why do you think this is? It comes naturally when you really care. Was it challenging to treat others in this special way? Yes, because it is hard to be thoughtful, to really connect in a deep way to others needs. Was it rewarding? Yes  If you haven't done so, post your reflections and experiences on the Compassion Report Map to amplify your compassionate action!

The Courage the Dream... the Knowledge to Change the World! Our fifth mission, Agents, is to build a “unitive field” to create Peace on Earth. To do this we each affirm that we believe that peace on earth is possible and ask others to do the same. It is hard to believe in Peace One Day, but I will keep on trying to focus on balance, human dignity, love, and compassion.  Build a fire of peace within. We are using a new tool Unifyre to help get this done. Follow this link and commit to Unify with Unifyre. Our intent is to gain the commitment from 40 individuals by the end of World Interfaith Harmony Week! As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map to amplify its power! Check out all of the inspiring reports posted on the map so far! Going Deeper: The First Earth Run is a story about turning the impossible into the possible. Check out the story! Additional Resources: Check out the Empowerment Institute's piece, Believing in Our Future, here. Check out Seven Actions to Create Peace on Earth here. For Day 5 of World Interfaith Harmony Week, we are overjoyed to pass the Compassion Torch to Scarlett Lewis and the Choose Love Movement. Read Our Featured Story About Scarlett Here! Partners in Compassion! Thank you to our truly remarkable partner in compassion for making this coopetition possible. Learn more about the incredible work, history, and vision of the Fetzer Institute here! Review Past Missions! Missed any of the previous missions or want to review them? View them here!

Mission 4 of Interfaith Harmony Week Games

For Reflection: Before moving on to Mission #4, take a moment to reflect on yesterday's mission. Each of our voices are powerful, and our voices together can be magical and unstoppable. Combining our voices can also be challenging, even in private. What was it like to add your voice to a piece of music from another culture? Sad because the Afro-American struggle has no ended and the Hispanic and LGBT realities have great challenges. Were you able to express yourselves with the music the way you wanted to? How might you fully express your voice in other areas of life to speak your personal truth more powerfully?

Our fourth mission, Agents, is to identify one way you really like to be treated, and then today seek out an opportunity to treat someone else that way. I want to be treated with dignity.  I am not a lesser person because I do not have power, wealth, or I am a member of a minority group.   Visionary of the Charter for Compassion Karen Armstrong introduces us to the idea of the Golden Rule on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday! Virtually every spiritual tradition recognizes the Golden Rule as the most important practice to live one’s life by. Within the spiraling array of traditions that circumnavigate the globe, the Golden Rule is truly a universal teaching! Let us take a moment to explore the ways we really like to be treated. Although the Golden Rule is universal, we each can receive a type of kindness that is extra meaningful to us. It might be the quality of the time someone spends with us. It could be physical touch, such as a hug or a hand on a shoulder in a show of support. Maybe it is hearing affirming words of kindness, someone doing something kind for you, or even someone giving you a thoughtful gift. Agents, identify what actions are especially meaningful to you, and then treat someone else that way today! As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map to amplify its power! Check out all of the inspiring reports posted on the map so far! Going Deeper: Want to go a bit deeper in exploring the Golden Rule from the diversity of spiritual expressions? Our partner Spiritual Playdates has created an interactive Golden Wheel to learn about the Golden Rule! It’s really fun, and provides beautiful insight on how the Golden Rule is expressed both uniquely and universally in the world’s traditions. Check it out here! Each day during World Interfaith Harmony Week the Compassion Torch will be passed to a new Champion of Compassion. For Day 4 of World Interfaith Harmony Week, we are overjoyed to pass the Compassion Torch from Karen Palmer and Global Kindness TV to Unity Earth! We are incredibly grateful for the vision of Unity Earth and organizing the U Day Festival taking place in Ethiopia! Read Our Featured Story About Unity Earth and U Day Festival Here!

Mission 3: Interfaith Harmony Games

For Reflection: Before moving on to Mission #3, take a moment to reflect on yesterday's mission. How did it feel to listen compassionately to another person - respecting their worth as a human being regardless of their differences in tradition, perspective or culture? My son and I shared the Interfaith Amigos. I was thankful that he took the time and cared to listen.  He was raised a Catholic, had a period of skepticism, and now his wife is empowered him to embrace the Episcopal Church where his children are being baptized. Were you able to connect with them in a heartfelt way? No, but I was thankful to have the video to share.  Thank you for your kindness to have it available for a very special moment in my life with my son. How might it affect your life if you took this approach toward connecting and listening to others every day? It will be nice to be more intentional at prioritizing mindfulness, spirituality, and prayer when we are not in a time of need.   If you haven't done so, post your reflections and experiences on the compassion Report Map to amplify your compassionate action!

Our third mission, Agents, is to harmonize our voices with other traditions and cultures through the universal expression of music. Every culture and society values music as a fundamental expression of human life. Its enchanting qualities transcend language, as it can be understood on levels that dive deep below the rational, thinking mind, straight to the heart. Today, find a hymn, chant, or song from a tradition different than your own and listen to it deeply. In honor of Black History Month, I chose "Where is the LOVE"  Even if you cannot understand the words, allow the music to move your spirit. Feel the nuances and movement of the music. Imagine the visuals these sounds invoke and allow yourself to feel the experience in your body. Then, when you are ready to, add your own voice to the piece of music in your own way. You might hum quietly to the music, or add your own harmonies. Agent, your voice is an incredibly powerful tool. From it arises your deep, personal truth and through music, you can share it with the world! Need a place to start? We recommend listening to “The Gift of Love” by Sami Yusef, a song composed for World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2015! Agents, remember... As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map to amplify its power! Check out all of the inspiring reports posted on the map so far! Inspiration for Mission #3: The inspiration for Mission #3 comes from Malala Yousafzai, a young woman whose voice and truth could not be silenced. Malala, a Pakistani activist for female education, is the youngest laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize. The local Taliban in her region attempted to assassinate her on October 9th, 2012, due to her work to see that all children receive an education. Watch an incredible interview with Malala and Oprah Winfrey here. Each day during World Interfaith Harmony Week the Compassion Torch will be passed to a new Champion of Compassion. For Day 3 of World Interfaith Harmony Week, we are thrilled to pass the Compassion Torch from the Interfaith Amigos to Karen Palmer of Global Kindness TV! Read Our Featured Story Global Kindness TV Here! Partners in Compassion! Thank you to our truly remarkable partner in compassion for making this coopetition possible. Learn more about the incredible work, history, and vision of the Fetzer Institute here! Additional Resources: Check out this Golden Rule Spotify playlist put together by our partner Spiritual Playdates

Mission 2 of Interfaith Harmony Games 2018

For Reflection: Before moving on to Mission #2, reflect on yesterday's mission. What was it like to sit with the reality that our personal ancestral lineages reach to so many people who have lived before us? Did you feel more connected to yourself, to life, and to others? I still have not done the connecting to earth and the sky.  I do not why I feel so sckeptical.  My roots are Inca and this should be easy, but I guess there are learned behaviors and sckepticism that I need to overcome. How might you continue to carry this awareness in your everyday life, and how might it impact your interactions with others?  I need to learn how to take the first step with mind, body, and spirit.  I guess it will take time.  I will try the activity with my toddler grandchild.  Maybe the connection to the moment and the fact that I will not be part of this elder years might bring this activity a new perspective. “Why is interfaith dialogue so difficult? [It is] the confusion between the particular and the universal. Every authentic spiritual path is an avenue to a shared universal. But that universal is far greater than any particular path.” -Rabbi Ted Falcon, The Interfaith Amigos Our second mission, Agents, is to listen compassionately to someone from a different tradition, perspective, or culture than our own. We introduce the concept of Compassionate Listening with The Interfaith Amigos! Few things can stir up our emotions like listening to someone say something that goes against what we believe to be true. Agents, this is a sign! There is profound treasure buried where these feelings exist… If we can rise to the challenge!  I think it is difficult to listen to others because it is a thread to the balance provided by our upbringing, to the power created by the known ways.  It is hard because of the fear it creates that our own beliefs might not be strong enough since all is a creation of humans before us, just as imperfect and fearful as us, just as vulnerable as us. It is easy to have compassion for someone who thinks and lives like we do. It is much more difficult to see past the differences that seem to divide us from the “other”, to look past judgement, and find the will to care and try to understand regardless of these different views. It can be difficult to accomplish, but where these feelings lay, untold growth awaits! Today, seek out and listen to someone that holds a different perspective than you do. It could be a friend, a family member, or even an acquaintance you’d like to learn more about. Listen with an open mind and heart, without judgement, with a genuine interest to understand their perspective or tradition.  The hard part here is without judgement! Agents, remember... As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map to amplify its power! Your report inspires others, amplifying the power of your compassion and generosity! Going Deeper: If you want more guidance on how to be a more compassionate communicator, The Interfaith Amigos have put together 5 interfaith dialogue stages: Reaching beyond distrust, suspicion and fear by sharing our stories together. Gaining an appreciative understanding of the core teachings of another's traditions. Understanding how some of the verses and practices in our traditions are consistent with core teachings and other verses and practices are inconsistent with those core teachings. Being willing to enter into more difficult conversations, such as Israeli and Palestinian conflict. Celebrating and experiencing spiritual practices from other traditions. Each day during World Interfaith Harmony Week the Compassion Torch will be passed to a new Champion of Compassion. On Day 2 of the Giving Games, we are deeply thankful to pass the Compassion Torch from Sande Hart and the Charter for Compassion: Women and Girls Sector to the one and only Interfaith Amigos! The Interfaith Amigos, of course, are the inspiration behind Mission #2. They began working together after 9/11, and have been healing the divide between faiths ever since. Don't miss out on their remarkable story! Read Our Featured Story About the Interfaith Amigos Here! Partners in Compassion! Thank you to our truly remarkable partner in compassion for making this coopetition possible. Learn more about the incredible work, history, and vision of the Fetzer Institute here!