The Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics supports a research-based approach to educating both heart and mind. With programs grounded in a theoretical framework for the cultivation of competencies that lead to the prosocial behaviors and outcomes that support flourishing and well-being for individuals and societies, the center also actively works to demonstrate the efficacy of these programs through innovative research.
The Compassion Shift is an initiative of Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics to promote human flourishing and advance a global culture of compassion through a research-based, scalable approach to the cultivation of compassion. It includes two educational programs – CBCT® for adults and SEE Learning® for children. The initiative aims to expand and make these innovative research-based programs accessible to people across the planet and especially to those working in the critical areas of education, business, healthcare, and human services.
The Compassion Shift benefits students across Emory (particularly College, School of Medicine) by providing courses in CBCT® (Cognitively Based Compassion Training). Participants learn how to shift inner reactions and attitudes to enhance psychological resiliency, how to have a more inclusive and accurate understanding of others, and how to intensify altruistic motivation. Studies on CBCT with college students showed a strong correlation between the practice of compassion meditation and the reduction of stress and depression.
In addition to compassion training programs, Emory students participate in undergraduate courses and the annual Mind-Body Sciences Summer Abroad Program.
