Project LOTUS

Empathy Circles with Conversations that Matter facilitated by Janna Weiss - Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
2025-03-07 13:30 - 15:00 UTC
Empathy Circles with Conversations that Matter facilitated by Janna WeissWisdom Theme Empathy Circle with Conversations That Matter
Free online sessions led by FDCW facilitator Janna Weiss open to everybody!
A new series of 5 sessions based on the 16 Guidelines resource: Conversations That Matter
Conversations That Matter offers a new way of bringing inspiration for wise and compassionate action based on the 16 Guidelines for Life.
Sessions Schedule:
5 Fridays from January to March – You can join on any session!
8:30 am – 10:00 am ET / 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm GMT / 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm IST, please check
your time zone here.
The 5 sessions will explore the Wisdom Theme: How We Find Meaning.
Jan 31 Wisdom Theme 4: How We Find Meaning
Feb 7 Aspiration
Feb 14 Principles
(No session on Feb 21)
Feb 28 Service
Mar 7 Courage
Sharing our experiences and practicing together can help us feel connected to others in a meaningful and supportive way. Drop-ins welcome!
Join Zoom Here
Who are these sessions for?
These Online Empathy Circles are for people of all ages, backgrounds and ideas, who are looking for practical tools to create positive transformation in their homes, individual lives, relationships, community, or workplace.
About the Empathy Circles
The Empathy Circle practice is the most effective gateway practice for learning, practicing and deepening listening and empathy skills, as well as, nurturing an empathic way of being.
The Empathy Circle provides a structured dialogue process where each person feels fully heard, fostering mutual understanding and connection. The Empathy Circle practice not only hones empathy but also fosters a range of valuable skills, such as communication and conflict management skills, making it a powerful tool for personal growth, conflict resolutions and meaningful dialogue.
The Empathy Circle was developed by Edwin Rutsch, founder and director of The Empathy Center, based on the work of psychologist Carl Rogers. The four core values of the Empathy Circle are empathy, mutuality, openness and caring.
About the facilitator:
Janna is an acupuncturist and herbalist, and teaches mind science in New York City. She holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in Biological Sciences—Botany (ethnobotany). Janna is also a human rights activist, for peace, for Tibet, for the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities, and for the real rights of children and families. Janna began studying Tibetan Buddhism in 2005. She is an accredited 16 Guidelines Level 1 & 2 and Unlocking Your Potential Facilitator, and an Empathy Circle Facilitator.
Supporting Janna and the Empathy Circles: please, consider supporting Janna so that she can continue to offer these transformative sessions by making a donation scanning the QR code below:
Join Zoom Here

Sunday Morning Meditations for a more Peaceful Life Organized by Maitreya Institute - Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
2025-03-09 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-16 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-23 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-30 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-04-06 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-04-13 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-04-20 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-04-27 08:00 - 09:00 and 4 more dates
Sunday Morning Meditations for a more Peaceful Life Organized by Maitreya Institute“Many people think excitement is happiness…. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh
About the Sessions
Join us on Sunday morning for an hour to pause, center, and restore to a happier and more peaceful mind to support you in being a bit more resilient in a world which does not always make sense anymore. These guided meditations are to help you calm your mind, explore your own nature and develop a more peaceful perception on life. When you are well with yourself, you will be more able to be well with others and the world.
These meditations are very practical, they are not within a religious context, so they are suitable for people of different beliefs, ages and abilities, for beginners as well as for those with more experience.
Registrations are not required.
What are the meditations based on?
They are based on a set of values and principles aimed at helping individuals cultivate a more peaceful and meaningful life. They are divided into four categories:
how we think (humility, patience, contentment and delight)
how we act (kindness, honesty, generosity and right speech)
how we relate to others (respect, forgiveness, gratitude and loyalty)
how we find meaning (aspiration, principles, service and courage).
These guidelines provide a framework for personal growth, encouraging individuals to think, act, relate, and find meaning in ways that foster a harmonious and fulfilling life.
How to Join
The sessions are offered online:
TIME: 10.00 – 11.00 am CE(S)T,
DATES: Sundays from 19th January – 4th May 2025
ONLINE: Join Zoom here – Passcode: [REDACTED]
The meditations are freely offered but if you would like to make to support Maitreya Institute, please make a donation using this link . The meditations will be recorded and made available to you to use them during the week. Please send us an email if you would like to join us to get access to the recordings.
Why meditate?
When you control your mind with wisdom you create the space you need to discover peace and joy. Your life then becomes peaceful and joyful and somewhat protected from the ups and downs of the external world. For beginner to advanced meditators.
Facilitator
Ven. Gönpo is an accredited FDCW facilitator and a Buddhist monk based in Australia. He discovered Buddhism as a child through martial arts movies and TV shows, this was the inspiration for the childhood dream of becoming a wandering kung fu monk. It was a few decades before part of that dream could be realized with many other life adventures distracting him from the spiritual path in his teens and twenties.
It wasn’t until he was in his thirties that Gönpo began to really understand the power of Buddhist teachings when he used them to navigate the emotional roller-coaster of life’s many experiences such as a marriage break down and raising children alone. Fortunately, due the kindness of his teachers and great good karma, after his children finished school, Gönpo was able to fulfil the long-held dream of becoming a monk, albeit without the kung fu. Ending a 20-year career as a high school teacher of languages, he become a wandering monk spending time studying and meditating in Europe, India and Nepal before returning to his hometown, Brisbane, to take up the role of Spiritual Care Practitioner at Karuna Hospice Services, giving care and support to people with life limiting illnesses and their families.
In his time as a school teacher, it was the feedback from students around mindfulness practices and life lessons that had the biggest impact on Gönpo, motivating him to become a 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life facilitator. In his sessions, Gönpo encourages discussion and deep engagement in the topics, challenging participants to examine their own ways of thinking. Through understanding how we are now, we are better equipped to develop the habits that will bring us closer to how we want to be, interacting with our own minds and the people around us in ways that will make us and the communities we live in, happier and healthier.
More info
For more information please visit the Maitreya Institute website

Meditación Paso a Paso: Sesiones semanales inspiradas en las 16 Actitudes - Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
2025-03-11 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-18 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-25 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-04-01 17:00 - 18:00
Meditación Paso a Paso: Sesiones semanales inspiradas en las 16 Actitudes*Please note these sessions are offered in Spanish
Sobre las Sesiones
Únete a Jessica Pastor en esta nueva serie de Meditaciones basadas en las 16 Actitudes, un programa de ética y resiliencia para descubrir la calma y el bienestar interior. Esta serie está organizada por el Centro de Meditación Nagarjuna Alicante.
Esta serie está estructurada en sesiones presenciales semanales de 1 hora todos los martes a las 7 pm hora local.
Seiones abiertas a todas las personas interesadas. No es necesario tener conocimientos previos de budismo para participar y no es necesario inscribirse.
En estas sesiones de meditación practicaremos Samatha, la técnica de calmar la mente de la agitación y preocupaciones que nos persiguen en nuestro día a día. De esta manera, comenzaremos a poder disfrutar de los beneficios que nos aporta una mente serena y lúcida.
Asimismo, practicaremos Vipassana, la técnica que entrena nuestra mente a no reaccionar de manera inmediata y ciega en las situaciones que experimentamos, a no generar patrones mentales y hábitos que nos conducen a la repetición automática de conductas y, en consecuencia, al sufrimiento. Consiste en adiestrar la mente a experimentar la realidad tal como es, a la comprensión clara de la verdadera realidad de la existencia de nosotros y de todas las cosas.
¿Por que Meditar?
Meditamos para investigar la energía mental básica con la que ya contamos, que es la que determina si nuestras acciones son positivas, y nos traerán felicidad, o negativas, y nos traerán sufrimiento.
Esta meditación basada en las 16 Actitudes nos va a permitir controlar pequeñas cosas que antes no podíamos controlar, que nos animarán a ir más allá y a darnos cuenta de que tenemos una capacidad y un potencial fantásticos.
Vas a poder crear ese espacio que necesitas para descubrir la calma y el bienestar, simplemente con cambiar la motivación que hay detrás de cada acción que realizas.
Para beneficiar a los demás y beneficiarte a ti no tienes que hacer nada físico, solo tienes que dirigir tu mente en esa dirección.
Cómo participar
EN PERSONA: en el centro Nagarjuna Alicante de 7:00 pm a 8:00 pm hora local. Para mas informacion, por favor visita la página web del centro.
Estas sesiones se ofrecen con aportación voluntaria. Si lo deseas, puedes hacer una donación aqui.

Shadow Work with the 16 Guidelines with Craig Mackie - Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
2025-03-17 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-24 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-31 14:00 - 17:00
Shadow Work with the 16 Guidelines with Craig MackieShadow Work with the 16 Guidelines: Uncover, Transform, Heal:-
Join Craig for a special three-part immersive series designed to go deeper into transforming the shadow side of good quality.
*Participants should be familiar with either the 16 Guidelines or Transformative Mindfulness Methods (TMM).
March 17, 24, 31 (Mondays)
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST (Toronto, Canada)
Live on Zoom
Course Journey:
Session 1: Preparing for transformative work
connecting with a healing space
grounding in compassion and wisdom
acceptance of pain and the root causes of suffering.
Session 2: Approaching and transforming our relationship to the shadow:
welcoming the negative aspects into a healing space
encountering resistance, introducing wisdom and compassion
asking for help and letting go.
Session 3: integrating and healing transformed the shadow:
welcoming and encountering resistance,
applying and integrating new insights and feeling
next steps and embodying transformed shadow.
Why this course?
So often in mindfulness practices, for participants and facilitators alike, deep discomfort and distress can arise. Having a toolkit to encounter stress, paint, trauma, childhood wounds or resistance of any kind is essential.
This course will introduce participants to a framework and practices that will help them meet blockages to their highest embodied potential through transformative mindfulness.
The 16 Guidelines are an indigenous set of embodied virtues that originate from Tibet. In their modern iteration they comprise a framework that can be universally accessed through our own experiences and inner wisdom. Laid out in 4 wisdom themes of how we Think, Act, Related and Create Meaning, each corresponding 4 guidelines can be used to meet challenges and transform suffering.
With each good quality also comes the potential for a shadow to arise – something that resembles the qualities but is not (semblance), a misuse of the quality (unskillful) that is tainted by unclear motivation or malicious intention, and the opposite of the quality (contra). Each of these shadow aspects has the potential to be transformed through introspection and healed by introducing wisdom and compassion.
Transformative Mindfulness Methods provides the perfect framework to dive into transforming a specific shadow that may arise.
In this workshop, participants will be encouraged to pick a specific quality with which they wish to have a deeper relationship. Over three weeks they will participate in transformative work through visualization, group discussion and didactic instruction.
Who is this for?
This course is ideal for those familiar with either the 16 Guidelines or Transformative Mindfulness Methods and who want to:
✔️ Work with inner blockages preventing their full potential
✔️ Gain new tools for healing emotional distress and resistance
✔️ Deepen their understanding of shadow work & transformation
Pay What You Can (Suggested: $100 CAD)
Receipts available for psychological services/social work
Register: craig@essentialchange.net
Join Craig in this powerful and supportive space for deep transformation. ✨
Facilitator:
Craig Mackie –Craig is a registered 16G facilitator and trainer, born in Ottawa, he has a BA in Developmental Psychology/Philosophy from the University of Alberta, an MA in Philosophy from the University of Ottawa and an MSW from the University of Toronto. He has worked in wilderness therapy and addiction treatment centers as well as schools and leadership programs for youth. He has also worked with Aboriginal men who have experienced homelessness in Toronto and multiple marginalized communities in Ottawa.
Other projects he has played a key role in include Social Rec Connect and Christie Lake Kids.
In addition to his work in individual counseling and coaching in private practice, he is the founder of Essential Change and teaches as an instructor for the Applied Mindfulness Meditation Certificate Program at the University of Toronto, Continuing Education, Faculty of Social Work.

Bi-monthly 16 Guidelines Practice Circles with Claudia Van Zuiden - Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
2025-04-10 17:00 - 18:30
Bi-monthly 16 Guidelines Practice Circles with Claudia Van ZuidenReconnecting with the 16 Guidelines Community
Join us for a special series of bi-monthly online Practice Circles, designed for those who have attended the 16 Guidelines for Life programs.
These gatherings offer an opportunity to reconnect with the timeless wisdom of the 16 Guidelines and share how they continue to inspire and guide us in today’s world.
Why Attend?
These online events provide a space to:
Reconnect with the 16 Guidelines framework and fellow practitioners.
Share personal experiences, insights, and challenges.
Reflect on the relevance of the Guidelines in your daily life and work.
Strengthen the facilitators’ community and explore collaborative opportunities to expand this meaningful work.
In a world increasingly in need of compassion, wisdom, and ethical living, let’s come together to inspire and empower one another to spread the profound message of the 16 Guidelines.
Who should Attend?
These events are open to anyone who has participated in a 16 Guidelines for Life program and wishes to deepen their engagement with this powerful framework. Facilitators are especially encouraged to join!
Sessions Highlights
Welcome & Reflection: Mindful breathing and reconnecting with the Guidelines.
Breakout Discussions: Share insights on how the Guidelines have influenced your life.
Group Debrief & Next Steps: Explore ways to collaborate and share this work.
Closing Reflection: Share takeaways and hear about the next gathering.
The session structure is carefully designed to foster meaningful reflection, strengthen connections, and inspire actionable outcomes, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience.
Dates
The first Practice Circle will take place on Thursday, 10 April 2025, from 6pm to 7.30pm GMT , (7 pm to 8:30 pm CET).
How to Join
Please join on Zoom using this link .
The same link will apply to all future Practice Circles.
Cost
The Practice Circles are offered free of charge in a spirit of generosity. If you find the sessions beneficial, you are welcome to support our work by making a donation here.
Facilitator:
Claudia Van Zuiden is the CEO and Founder of Solution Ways and Co-Founder of Conscious World Agents, both of which are solution-focused organizations for holistic and sustainable performance. An active, accredited member of the FDCW community, Claudia delivers workshops internationally and is accredited to facilitate:
Level 1 and 2 programs
16 Guidelines for children and teens
Unlocking Your Potential program
Her organisations specialise in Personal and Business Coaching, Leadership Training, Education, Consulting, and Team Coaching.
Claudia shares her inspiration for offering these sessions:
“Over the past few months, I’ve felt a strong aspiration to reconnect with the wisdom of the 16 Guidelines and to begin actively working with them again. These teachings have always held a profound relevance, and as we navigate today’s complex world, I believe their practical guidance on cultivating inner and outer harmony is more valuable than ever.
To rekindle this connection, I’m delighted to announce a bi-monthly online gathering for anyone who has attended the 16 Guidelines for Life programs.”

The 4 Noble Truths & Their 16 Characteristics - Yeshin Norbu
2025-04-29 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-05-06 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-05-13 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-05-20 16:00 - 18:00
The 4 Noble Truths & Their 16 CharacteristicsThe 4 Noble Truths & Their 16 Characteristics
This in-depth intermediate level course will deepen your understanding of the Four Noble Truths and their 16 characteristics. The Four Noble Truths are the foundational teachings of Buddhism, offering profound insight into the nature of suffering, its causes and the path to liberation.
Course Details
About This Course
The course will offer a comprehensive exploration of these core teachings, guiding you through their profound implications for both personal transformation and spiritual practice. Learning the Four Noble Truths can offer a range of profound benefits that can transform your approach to life and spiritual practice, such as:
Clarity on the nature of suffering: By gaining insight into why suffering arises, you can begin to release attachment to things that are impermanent and avoid unnecessary suffering in your life.
Path to liberation: Learning this path helps you cultivate ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, fostering a life of greater peace and fulfillment.
Deepened compassion & wisdom: By understanding the interconnectedness of all beings and the causes of suffering, you naturally develop greater compassion and empathy. The teachings also lead to wisdom by showing you how to see things as they truly are, beyond the surface-level appearance of phenomena..
Transformation of perspective: Instead of viewing difficulties as obstacles, you begin to see them as opportunities for spiritual growth and a means of developing resilience and inner strength.
Your Teacher
Venerable Khadro brings years of experience teaching Buddhist philosophy and meditation in the tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Her clear and practical approach makes profound Buddhist concepts accessible to modern students.

16G L1 | Building Inner Strength: An innovative Co-facilitated Online Course - Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
2025-05-01 17:00 - 2025-05-22 18:30, 2025-05-08 17:00 - 2025-05-29 18:30, 2025-05-15 17:00 - 2025-06-05 18:30, 2025-05-22 17:00 - 2025-06-12 18:30, 2025-05-29 17:00 - 2025-06-19 18:30
16G L1 | Building Inner Strength: An innovative Co-facilitated Online CourseAre you ready to transform the way you think, act, relate, and create meaning in your life?
About the Course
The 16 Guidelines for Life – Level 1 is a dynamic and interactive course designed to help you cultivate inner wisdom, emotional resilience, and deeper connections with yourself and others. Based on ancient wisdom and modern science, the 16 Guidelines offer practical tools for personal growth, mindfulness, and ethical leadership—empowering you to bring more clarity, compassion, and purpose into your daily life.
Who Should Attend?
This course is perfect for anyone seeking personal growth, mindfulness practitioners, educators, coaches, leaders, and changemakers who want to bring positive transformation into their lives and communities.
What you’ll learn:
An ethical framework that inspires more purpose in life and deepens experience in mindfulness as an embodied practice.
Practical tools to build inner strength which will benefit relationships and embrace community
A fresh perspective on daily life, available choices and actions
Enhanced capacity for reflection, resulting in more well-being, emotional resilience and creative action
Schedule:
Four Thursdays in May 1, 8, 15, & 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (UK Time)
Bookings
For more information and bookings, please email Kitty on: kitty_dcosta@hotmail.co.uk.
Concessions are available upon request, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Facilitators
Claudia van Zuiden – An international speaker, coach, and trainer, Claudia is the CEO & Founder of Solution Ways and Co-Founder of Conscious World Agents. With over 30 years of experience in holistic leadership, personal development, and mindfulness education, she integrates neuroscience, ethics, and solution-focused approaches to help individuals and organizations thrive. She is accredited to facilitate Level 1, 2, and 16G for children and teens, as well as Unlocking Your Potential. Claudia is passionate about compassionate leadership, mindfulness, and empowering people to lead with purpose.
Kitty D’Costa – A dedicated 16 Guidelines Trainer with over 20 years of experience in mindfulness, meditation, and mental health support. Kitty has worked extensively in the field of substance misuse and mental well-being, bringing deep insights into self-awareness, emotional resilience, and personal transformation. Her facilitation style is warm, engaging, and deeply practical—helping participants integrate mindfulness into their daily lives.
Karl Grey – A qualified counsellor, engineer, and experienced 16 Guidelines facilitator. With a diverse background across multiple fields, Karl brings a unique and insightful approach to his work. His deep understanding of the 16 Guidelines allows him to integrate their principles effectively, offering valuable guidance and support in both personal and professional settings. Karl’s broad expertise and thoughtful approach empower others to navigate life’s challenges with clarity and purpose.
Gillian Watt – An experienced mindfulness practitioner, facilitator, and educator, Gillian has a background in community development, coaching, and personal growth. With a strong focus on creating positive change through mindful leadership, she helps individuals and teams build resilience, enhance well-being, and cultivate a deeper sense of meaning in their lives. Gillian is passionate about empowering others to unlock their potential through the 16 Guidelines framework.
