CCARE at Stanford University

Who did your project serve and what suffering did it address?
My Capstone Project served the needs and suffering of people who have to make challenging decisions in times of difficulty. In tough times, we can be triggered and it can be difficult to make value-based decisions that are beneficial for us and others. In such times, we may do things that we later regret and go against our conscious values.

How did this project address that suffering?
The project addressed this suffering by connecting to our innate capacity for self-compassion by learning to regulate our nervous systems and draw inner strength from our intrinsic core values in order to make beneficial decisions during times of difficulty.

Who was your audience and how many people participated? 
I trained 100 people from various communities including community activists, faith leaders, magistrates and judges, teachers, parents and young people.

How was the project delivered (the format)? 
I delivered a 2-hour online training, offering information through slides and doing deep reflective writing along with somatic practices of self-compassion.

What was the reported impact on or feedback from participants? On yourself? 
I benefited immensely from applying the deeply healing self-compassion practices in relation to my own trauma. I learned to embody self-compassion by leaning into my own difficulties and drawing on my inner values as strengths.

How has the ACT Program helped you become an Ambassador of Compassion? 
The ACT program put me in direct contact with my community, letting me serve them with deep compassion in my heart.

What advice would you give to someone who's considering participating in the ACT Program? 
Get ready to embody compassion in a real and dynamic way in your life.