Your Extraordinary LIFE 2021 | Page 55

Developed at the Life University Center for Compassion , Integrity and Secular Ethics ( CCISE ), Compassionate Integrity Training ( CIT ) continues to make an impact in the lives of individuals and on a global scale . CIT has now spread to more than 60 countries on six continents , with more than 3,000 people completing the course . That ’ s not including the thousands more who have taken CIT in a self-directed , online format , which was introduced in 2021 . A Spanish-language version of CIT also debuted over the past year . More than 125 people have gone on to become facilitators , leading CIT programs for others .
CIT is officially described as “ 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 focuses on and builds toward compassionate integrity . Compassionate integrity is the ability to live one ’ s life in accordance with their values and with a recognition of common humanity , our basic orientation to kindness , and reciprocity .”
“ CIT teaches us skills to help regulate ourselves so that we can relate better with others and engage in systems with an understanding for how individuals can , and do , impact those systems ,” Co-Executive Director Jennifer Valtos said when asked how she explains the program .
Co-Executive Director Renée Athay added , “ CIT is life skills . It ’ s a course that supports us to work on ourselves , to work on our relationships and to work in a systems way , where we have a deeper perspective . It encompasses the most basic of core values and our approach to things so that we can have a common ground and a way to connect .”
“ We ’ re in a time in the world where we have so much exposure and contact with one another that it ’ s even more imperative that our common humanity , impartiality and interdependence are not lost ,” Athay continued . “ Rather , that we take it upon ourselves as individuals , relationships and communities to put that front and center . This is a course that gives us concrete , specific skills and a sequence that allows us to move out into the world with discernment and wisdom so that we make better choices for ourselves , others and the systems we operate in .”
CIT is based on groundbreaking developments in the fields of neuroscience , psychology , trauma-informed care , peace and conflict studies , and contemplative science . The development of CIT has been aided by the collaborative work of a team of experts with both academic and applied backgrounds in these fields .
Although CIT deals with the development of pro-social values , including 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 . The skills taught in CIT are useful to people of any or no religious background , while not conflicting in any way with particular religious values .
CIT examines 10 skills over three modules : Self-Cultivation , Relating to Others and Engaging in Systems .
• Calming Body and Mind
• Ethical Mindfulness
• Emotional Awareness
• Self-Compassion
• Impartiality and Common Humanity
• Forgiveness and Gratitude
• Empathic Concern
• Compassion
• Appreciating Interdependence
• Engaging with Discernment
“ I think all the skills are incredibly important . Depending on what ’ s going on in my life , I find myself using different skills ,” Valtos explained . “ I used Ethical Mindfulness a lot when everybody was home 24 / 7 and doing school from home and work from home . Everything was centered around the house , and nobody left the house 24 hours a day , seven days a week . Ethical Mindfulness was huge : ‘ Remember , you have the ability to say or do something that could cause you or someone else harm .’ That was the mantra that kind of went through my brain . And I think Emotional Awareness , just recognizing that I
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