A Mindful Heart
with Janna Weiss
A Mindful Heart is a transformative 6 week course developed by the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW), inspired by the Creating Compassionate Cultures program.
This course is designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of how the mind works. The aim is to gradually let go of destructive patterns of thought and behavior while cultivating a healthy sense of self-confidence and a deep, compassionate connection with others.
Participants are invited to reflect on their attitudes, perceptions, and emotional patterns. By exploring the workings of our own minds and the nature of our interdependence with others and the world around us, we begin to see how deeply connected our inner and outer realities truly are. We examine both logical and scientific perspectives on the nature of the self and our relationships with others.
To deepen the learning, participants are encouraged to reflect between sessions, pausing to notice their inner experiences and reconnect with their deepest values. This supports the integration of insights and ways to act with greater mindfulness and wisdom.
Ultimately, the transformation we foster in ourselves contributes to building more compassionate cultures. How can one person influence a whole culture? The answer lies in understanding interdependence. Every action we take, every choice, interaction, and intention, affects others and the broader environment, this principle of cause and effect lies at the heart of all life, reminding us that our individual transformation ripples outward in meaningful ways.
The course is delivered in 6 sessions:
Session 1: The Pursuit of Happiness and Understanding How Things Exist
Session 2: Developing Healthy Self-Confidence and Compassion – Opening the Heart
Session 3: Mindfulness, Reflection and Critical Thinking and Mindful Intention: What do I really want?
Session 4: Interconnection and Embracing Change
Session 5: Perception and Transforming Harmful Emotions
Session 6: Empathy and Cultivating Compassion
About the Facilitator
Janna Weiss is a Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW) accredited facilitator for 16 Guidelines Levels 1 & 2 and Unlocking Your Potential, and an Empathy Circle Facilitator and Trainer. She holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in Biological Sciences—Botany (ethnobotany). Janna is also a human rights activist and advocate for peace, for Tibet, for the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities, or those perceived to be so, and for the real rights of children and families. Janna is an acupuncturist and herbalist, and teaches mind science. Janna began studying Tibetan Buddhism with Dharma Friends of Israel in 2005. She resides in New York City.
