Compassionate Integrity Training CIT-Faciltator-Guide-2.1-Final | Page 86

C OMPASSIONATE I NTEGRITY T RAINING
A S ECULAR E THICS A PPROACH TO C ULTIVATING P ERSONAL , S OCIAL AND E NVIRONMENTAL F LOURISHING
C OMMON H UMANITY S TORIES *
Goal: To enable participants to see the way people often rely on categories, labels and stereotypes to define
and understand others. Also, to help participants understand how we can find common human qualities in
every person and how focusing on similarities versus differences can affect our attitudes toward others.
Materials: Paper and pen, two pictures of a person
Time: 20 to 30 Minutes
Instructions:
1. Split participants into groups of three to five people.
2. If using a computer presentation show an image of a person on the screen. If not using a
presentation, pass out a picture of a person for each group to use for the exercise.
3.
Instruct the groups, “Please craft a story that describes the life of the person depicted in this picture.
You may include anything you want, details such as the person’s family life, upbringing, career,
current living situations, life goals, struggles, or challenges. I do not know this person’s actual life
story, so there is no right or wrong. Whatever you come up with is great. You will be sharing this
story with the rest of the group, so one person in each group should take down the key details of
the story.”
4.
After giving each group about five minutes to craft a story, instruct, “Individually, write down at
least five ways this person, as created by your group, is different from you. Track any sensation you
notice in the body while you do this.”
5.
After giving everyone two minutes to complete their lists, instruct “Individually, write down at
least five ways this person is similar to you. Track any sensation you notice in the body while you
do this.”
6.
After giving everyone two minutes to complete their lists, say, “Let’s have each group share their
story with the rest of the group. Stay in your breakout groups, since we will be continuing to work
in them after everyone has a chance to share.”
7.
After all groups have shared their stories, ask, “Would a few people like to share the similarities and
differences they had with the person?”
C ENTER FOR C OMPASSION , I NTEGRITY AND S ECULAR E THICS | L IFE U NIVERSITY | M ARIETTA , G EORGIA
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