Think. Transform. Impact.
Click here to watch our video and be inspired. 

Once-in-a-life-time events are one month away!

Thousands of people have already signed up. If you would like to attend the events, please purchase tickets at your earliest convenience by clicking here.  

Go beyond the ordinary with us. Join the ranks of our Contributors and Event Sponsors and receive special benefits. Many of The Center’s programs that began as pilots in 2009 are now mature, with proven results, and ready for scaling to reach much larger audiences. We ask for your support in helping The Center to meet this demand, to grow to the next level and to fulfill our hopes for ethically responsible, global human flourishing.

If your company will match your contribution, your donation will make double the difference.

For specifics on sponsorship opportunities please contact Nicole Malo, Development and Outreach Officer, at nicole@thecenter.mit.edu or 617-324-6030.

Event Details:

Beyond Religion, Ethics, Values and Well-being | October 14, 1:30pm

A Talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama with response by Br. David Steindl-Rast and Fr. Thomas Keating. A unique, precious chance to be in the presence of these three wise elders.

Global Systems 2.0 | October 15, Panel I, 9:30-11:30am; Panel II, 1:30-3:30pm 

This day-long forum is a continuation of The Center’s 2009 inaugural series of conversations with the aim of sparking ideas to address the complex challenges in industry, academia, government, and the world at large through systems thinking and innovation. Global Systems thinking provides practical information from multiple disciplines.

Stages of Meditation: Buddhism for the 21st Century | October 16, 9:30am

A Teaching by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, hosted by Prajnopaya at MIT.

Based on Kamalashila’s essential 8th century meditation text, the teaching offers an in-depth introduction to contemplative practice and its contemporary relevance in day-to-day life.

Auxiliary Events:

To deepen understanding of themes explored in the main events, The Center will host a series of auxiliary events at MIT on October 11, 12 and 13. These talks are free and open to the public. Click here for more information. 

(Photograph: Greenhouse prototype built from recycled plastic bottles left by tourists in Leh, Laddakh.)

Thoughts from Lex, a Compassionate Young Leader from Idaho:

Over three weeks in Laddakh, India we accomplished much, and not only were able to leave our mark on the country physically, but also spread knowledge and compassion drawing upon a large amount of teamwork ethic. With all 210 Laddakhi school students we painted a mural that brought color to the Jamyang School, symbolizing an interconnection between Idahoans and the Laddakhi people. Also, we built a recycled water bottle greenhouse that demonstrates that waste, such as plastic bottles, can be used in an efficient way helping grow vegetables. It is our hope that the green mind-set and actions are contagious and that the people of Laddakh will continue to reuse and recycle.

This trip improved my compassionate leadership immensely. Although we were accompanied by two adults, the projects and decision making were left to the seven of us Young Leaders. At times this notion was semi-overwhelming, but over the course of the three weeks, we developed a strong group mentality that was very rewarding. I learned to be able to put aside my differences in ideas with others in order to come up with compromises. The students of the Jamyang School in India looked up to us, and that really pushed me to act compassionately and to be a leader.

The relationships that I built with those kids will be in my heart forever. I never thought that I'd make such a connection. I had known that the Jamyang School was made up of very poor children, but it never really hit me until I heard it from them. They have lived such hard lives, and yet they are the happiest most enthusiastic kids I know. These kids are 13 years old, and they have more compassion than most. I had originally thought that I would inspire these kids, but I found it to be just the opposite. I hope to take this knowledge that I gained throughout the rest of my life. Thank you so much for being a supporter and advocate of our group, and I hope will all of my heart that this was just the beginning of the Compassionate Young Leaders.

See you in October. Thank you for your support!

p.s. Please consider sharing this email with your friends and family. Don’t let them miss out on what The Center is doing and the events with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.