What we do
SEEDS OF AWARENESS – Starting from self-knowledge to rediscover the deep connections between human beings and cultivate empathetic relationships
Countries
Fields of intervention
- Opening date: September 2020
- Duration: 18 mesi
- Closing date: March 2022
WHERE
Rome, Amiata area municipalities, Naples
CONTEXT
At a time when intolerance, discrimination and hate-driven phenomena are spreading across all sectors of society, it is considered essential to "sow" the values at the heart of Buddhist philosophy — such as mindfulness and interdependence — in order to foster a healthier and more harmonious social fabric. With a view to rediscovering our common humanity and deepening self-knowledge, ASIA, together with lead organisation Merigar, has engaged both a broad adult audience and younger generations through a series of activities aimed at promoting the values of Mindfulness and Interdependence across several Italian municipalities.
OBJECTIVES
To contribute to improving the socio-emotional skills of young people and to building a more inclusive and welcoming society, by spreading awareness of the principles of mindfulness and interdependence.
ACTIVITIES
- "Treasures of Tibet" photography exhibition — Images and stories of spiritual masters, sacred sites and ordinary people from Tibet, designed to build a bridge with a distant culture, make the "other" more familiar, and strengthen the sense of belonging to a shared humanity.
- Training in Mindfulness and Interdependence — Sessions open to civil society, introducing participants to the principles of mindfulness and interdependence from a Buddhist perspective.
- Drawing and world folktales workshop in primary schools — A storytelling journey through tales from diverse cultural traditions, introducing children to the principle of interdependence through interactive narrative and artistic expression.
- Mindfulness and empathy programme in primary schools — Activities designed to teach children to listen to themselves, their bodies and their emotions, as a foundation for building empathetic and non-judgmental relationships with others.
- Yantra Yoga courses with Kumar Kumari in primary schools — Sessions aimed at fostering the harmonious development of children's personalities, promoting listening, dialogue and mutual respect.
RESULTS
Participants — both children and adults — demonstrated an increased capacity for empathy, a stronger sense of interdependence, greater awareness of their own bodies and emotions, and improved relational skills.
BENEFICIARIES
Direct: 1,105 (703 students, 2 educators and 400 members of civil society)
Indirect: 3,315 people
PARTNERS
Druk Nyo Foundation
Shingnyeer Temple Restoration Committee
ASIA
