Why is Social Emotional Learning important for our education system?

Compassionate Integrity Training (CIT) is a multi-part training program that cultivates basic human values as skills for the purpose of increasing individual, social and environmental flourishing. By covering a range of skills from self-regulation and self-compassion to compassion for others and engagement with complex systems. CIT is based on cutting-edge developments in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, trauma- informed care, peace and conflict studies, and contemplative science. It builds off of work done by Daniel Goleman (author of the book Emotional Intelligence) and Peter Senge, initiatives in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and other areas. Its development has been aided by the collaborative work of a team of experts with both academic and applied backgrounds in these areas.

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The “Three-in-Three” Education Model:

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Each CIT module utilizes a “three-in- three” educational model that integrates three domains of knowledge and three levels of understanding. The three domains begin with a focus on the self (Self-Cultivation), then move to others (Relating to Others), and finally to a systems-perspective, meaning the larger networks we exist in (Engaging in Systems).

Series I: Self-Cultivation

1. Calming Body and Mind

2. Ethical Mindfulness

3. Emotional Awareness

4. Self-Compassion

Series II: Relating to Others

5. Impartiality and Common Humanity

6. Forgiveness and Gratitude

7. Empathic Concern

8. Compassion

Series III: Engaging in Systems

9. Appreciating Interdependence

10. Engaging with Discernment

Additionally, each module in CIT is intended to allow participants to progress through three levels of understanding. In CIT, it is important that knowledge not remain at an intellectual level; to be effective, it must lead to realizations and lasting changes in behavior. Knowledge becomes transformative when it moves from head to heart to hand. The three levels of understanding are:

1. Received Knowledge: This refers to learning new information and developing a clear understanding of a particular topic.

2. Critical Insight: This is when the participant, through exercises and practices, uses his or her own life experiences and reason to come to a flash of personal insight, an “a-ha moment,” when he or she realizes how the knowledge relates to his or her own life.

3. Embodied Understanding: Moments of critical insight are often not powerful enough to dislodge habits. Therefore, embodied understanding refers to the deepening and further internalizing of knowledge so that it becomes second- nature and spontaneous — not just something one knows, but part of who one is. This happens through repeated practice and continued reflection on one’s critical insights. This is where knowledge (including the knowledge and skills of self-compassion, compassion, integrity and so on) becomes transformative at its deepest level.

Each CIT module includes content for received knowledge, activities for achieving critical insight and guided reflective practices for deepening insights into embodied understanding. Once a participant completes CIT, they are eligible to enroll in the CIT Facilitator Training program.

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Why “secular” ethics?
Although CIT deals with values and concepts like compassion and integrity, it is based on a secular approach to universal ethics based on common sense, common experience and science, rather than a particular culture or religion. Secular ethics can be useful to people of any or no religious background, while not conflicting with any particular religious values. The word “secular” in no way implies a stance that is against religion; on the contrary, it implies inclusivity and a respect for all. This approach to ethics has been advocated by organizations such as the Sustainable Development Solutions Network of the United Nations through its World Happiness Report and individuals such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights of 1948 was also based on a secularized philosophy of universal values, which took all human beings, all nations, all cultures and all religions and non-believers into account.