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where compassion begins... ​          

Where Compassion Begins: Foundational Practices to Enhance Mindfulness, Attention and Listening from the Heart the new book by Executive Director Jared Seide is available now.
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Where Compassion Begins is an invitation to build the muscle of compassion, through exercises and practices that enhance our capacity to listen from the heart and, in so doing, take care of ourselves and those around us.

Compassion is sometimes confused with empathy, or even sympathy. It is neither, though it includes some aspects of both. Compassion begins when we allow ourselves to really hear and attune to suffering, that of others, as well as ourselves. And hearing and perceiving this anguish, we are moved to do something about it. What takes compassion beyond sympathy or empathy is that it includes action, action that is considered, skillful and beneficial. 

This book is intended to provide a resource for anyone who has had an opportunity to sit in a council circle, or whose curiosity has been ignited by what the practice of council may have to offer. It offers explanations, definitions and distinctions that are part of the Introduction to the Way of Council Workshop and that have been culled from many years of council practice in many settings. It also includes material created to encourage and support extending the teachings of council into one's life, outside of the council circle. The core intentions of listening and speaking from the heart can unfold in every facet of one's life, well beyond the experience of the council circle. This book provides a roadmap for the journey of discovery along this rich path.
Receive a copy as a gift when you become a recurring donor or purchase a copy via amazon


​​what fans are saying about Where Compassion Begins
“This [work] could not be more needed or opportune at this point in our communities and nation. This book is truly a gift for our times.”
John Paul Lederach
International Peacebuilder
Read more from John Paul Lederach
“Jared’s remarkable expertise in bringing the practice of council to organizations, particularly those in the law enforcement arena, is, in my experience as a police chief, a key component in healing the rift between police and the communities they serve. How awesome would it be if we included this book in our police academies as a foundation for all other training.”
Jennifer Tejada
Former Police Chief
Emeryville Police Department
Read more from jennifer tejada
“Jared Seide provides fail-safe practices which can transform you into a master of compassion. Cherish this book always — it will help to make you the person you have always wanted to be.”
Roshi Wendy Egyoku Nakao
Abbot Emeritus
Zen Center of Los Angeles
Read more from Roshi Egyoku
“Where Compassion Begins launches each of us on a journey to truly be there for ourselves, so that we can truly prepare to be there for others.”
Rabbi Yechiel Hoffman
US Director, Jewish Interactive


read more from rabbi hoffman
"Not a week goes by when I am not reminded of Council’s work in the prisons being life-altering… Council has the capacity to do this, and Jared is one of the Soul-Changers."
Robert Barton
Former Inspector General
of the State of California

Read more from Bob Barton
“This resource will act as a great supplement to the current curriculum... Jared Seide’s work with Center for Council inside California’s prisons has changed the lives of many.”
Dr. Brant Choate
Director of Rehabilitative Services 
​California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation


read more from brant choate


Where Compassion Begins is available in a special edition for incarcerated persons, as well as Spanish-language versions and as an audiobook.
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Author bio here

​

​Ordering Information:
Where Compassion Begins is available as a gift when you become a recurring donor,
or for purchase via Amazon, ​or at select independent bookstores;
​
for bulk orders, please reach out to contact@centerforcouncil.org

Further information on ordering the special edition for incarcerated persons is available here
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  • join us
    • get involved
    • workshops >
      • in-person council workshops
      • online offerings
    • trainings for organizations
    • certification and standards
    • subscribe
    • contact
  • our programs
    • law enforcement agencies >
      • POWER training >
        • lapd officers discuss power
        • LEMWHA Grant
      • cops & communities
    • incarcerated and system-impacted individuals >
      • council for insight, compassion, resilience
      • council reentry program
      • get a copy of leaving prison behind
      • system-impacted individuals
    • organizations >
      • organizational wellness project
    • council training for mental health professionals
    • healthcare professionals
    • educators
    • community leaders >
      • trainer leadership initiative
    • public council training workshops
  • what we do
    • what is council?
    • origins of council
    • why council
    • FAQ
  • who we are
    • our team
    • our new book
    • our supporters >
      • awards and associations
    • news and stories >
      • the power of story
      • council in session
      • recovering compassion
      • story archive
    • voices from council
  • donate