Compassion Cultivation Training© - Ven. Lobsang Norbu
An 8-week training designed at Stanford University, taught by Buddhist monk and CCT © certified trainer Lobsang 
Norbu.
Compassion isn't heroic. It's human and rooted in science.
It is an innate quality that offers the possibility of responding to suffering with understanding, patience and kindness rather than fear, anger, and repulsion.
While compassion is an inherent quality, we all possess, psychology, neuroscience and clinical medicine show that it is an orientation and skill that can be cultivated and strengthened to increase the well-being of individuals, communities, and society.
“A compassionate mind is a resilient mind, not a weak one.”
Introduction to the training
CCT© was developed in 2009 at Stanford University by highly acclaimed thought leader Thupten Jinpa (Ph.D.) and translator of H.H. Dalai Lama, with contributions from top psychologists and neurologists. (Compassion Institute) This training is now being offered around the world to a wide range of students and for people working specifically in e.g. health care or the police force. This 8-week training draws on insights and techniques from psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative practice.
It offers practical skills, tools, and knowledge. As a graduate, you establish the habit of relating to yourself, others, and the world around you from a place of greater understanding, joy, and purpose.
What does the training look like?
- Weekly 2-hour class
- Including lecture, interactive discussions, and in-class exercises
- Daily (evidence-based) meditation practices
- Real-world assignments for practicing compassionate thoughts and actions
The 8-Week Journey:
- Settling and focusing the mind (Sep. 3)
- Loving-kindness & compassion for a loved one (Sep. 10)
- Compassion for oneself (Sep. 17)
- Loving-kindness for oneself (Sep. 24)
- Embracing shared common humanity and developing appreciation for others (Oct. 1)
- Cultivating compassion for others (Oct. 8)
- Active compassion practice (Oct. 15)
- Integrated daily compassion cultivation practice (Oct. 22)
Optional part of the training is a weekend Compassion Integration Retreat at the end of October.
Your trainer: Buddhist monk Lobsang Norbu (Maarten de Vries):
Maarten or Norbu is a warmhearted Dutch monk & Buddhist trainer who has practiced Buddhism for decades. Norbu excels at guiding beginners & non-Buddhists, offering gentle and clear instruction in meditation and Buddhist basic topics by bridging Tibetan Buddhist wisdom with Western culture & mindset. His weekend retreats blend spiritual depth with practical insights and a bit of humor. With a deep interest in compassion science, Lobsang Norbu inspires students, helping them embark on their own paths of inner peace and compassionate living.
Why take this training?
- Science & Buddhist wisdom-based training
- Set up by Stanford University & the famous Buddhist teacher Thupten Jinpa Ph.D.
- Full program with different modes of learning to go from learning to daily practice
- Proven track record of profound effects on students
- Opportunity to deepen your insights in the weekend Compassion Integration Retreat
What effects can I expect?
While everyone will have their own unique experience, research has shown that this training can lead to:
- Support for your health, happiness, and well-being
- Reduction of stress, depression, and anxiety (fear)
- Improvements in relating to others and the world around you
Would like to know more about compassion science?
- Research insights
- Fearless Heart – the best seller by Thupten Jinpa, recommended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Practical details
- Day & time: 8 Tuesday evenings in Sep. and Oct. from 19.00 to 21.30 hrs.
- Language: English
- Onsite: Maitreya Instituut Amsterdam, Tilanusstraat 8a (not online)
- Registration:
- You register for the 8 lessons (the retreat is optional)
- Last-minute registration? Please also send an email to amsterdam@maitreya.nl after your registration through the website.
- Recordings & study material :
- Video & Audio recordings of the teachings & meditations will be provided via a OneDrive link
Donation
Dāna (generosity) is one of the cornerstones of the Buddhist path. By virtue of their generosity, the Buddha and the ordained sangha offer us the teachings, and in exchange, the lay community supports Dharma centers and the monastic community. This interdependence is essential for us to share the Dharma and continue our work to benefit all sentient beings. With your donation we support our teachers in their cost of living and we uphold our dharma center, which is managed entirely by volunteers.
The suggested donation for this 8-week training is €120. For students and people with low income, the suggested donation is €80. Please send us an email if you'd like to make use of the second option.
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