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The 3 Doors Compassion Project is a transformative 9-month program that supports you to meet life’s challenges with wisdom, compassion, and presence. You will learn meditation methods of body, voice, and mind rooted in ancient Tibetan Bön Buddhism and adapted for modern life. This program is designed for anyone interested in compassion as a healing and creative force in their own lives and in their relationships with the people and communities they serve.
A new cohort begins every October.
–Marcy Vaughn
Senior Teacher and creator of The 3 Doors Compassion Project
Beginning meditators and experienced practitioners are welcome.
The Compassion Project is a 9-month journey designed to fit into your busy life:
Time Investment: Approximately 7 hours per month of group sessions and 15-30 hours of personal meditation practice and self-study.
A new cohort begins every October.
In 2016, Gabriel Rocco and Marcy Vaughn created the Compassion Project specifically for people in helping professions who were experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue. What began as a program for healthcare workers and therapists has evolved into something much broader, a transformative journey for anyone seeking to expand their capacity to care for themselves and others.
Today, the Compassion Project has touched the lives of over 350 people worldwide and is taught in multiple languages by 3 Doors teachers around the globe. Gabriel and Marcy continue to personally lead the program each year in English, bringing decades of wisdom and deep understanding of how ancient practices can address modern challenges. Skilled 3 Doors Teachers also offer the Compassion Project around the world in native languages.
Access an inner refuge of stillness, silence, and spaciousness even in challenging moments
Join a global community engaging in individual and collective transformation
Learn to meet your suffering with warmth and understanding instead of judgment
Discover inner resources to meet the challenges of difficult relationships
Meet life with renewed energy, curiosity, and purpose
Discover how to respond to life’s challenges with presence and clarity, releasing automatic responses rooted in past experiences
Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor Michael Gawrysiak continues to lead research on the associated benefits of The 3 Doors practices through the Compassion Project. A 2021 research study demonstrated that participants reported increased favorable mental health effects: enhanced mindfulness, reduced stress, and alleviated depression. Current research is further exploring the impact of these Tibetan Mind-Body meditation practices on compassion for self and others, mindfulness, flourishing, and more advanced meditative states associated with self-transcendence.
Watch The Science and Practice of Compassion, a conversation between Compassion Project creator Marcy Vaughn, Michael Gawrysiak, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and Alejandro Chaoul.
The Compassion Project has served people from all walks of life, including healthcare providers, artists, educators, parents, young adults, therapists, caregivers, community volunteers, and others interested in tapping into their capacity for self-compassion and compassion for others.
“Because I’ve spent most of my life ‘doing’ and not necessarily ‘being,’ this was a seismic shift in my approach to living, and the benefits are profound.
Being able to just be with the things I struggle with is another level of self-care that I haven’t ever experienced before.”
Tami Barry – Surgeon
“I’ve gained more understanding in relationships with my clients and a lot more compassion for the nurses and nursing aides I work with. I’m able to see what they have to deal with and understand a lot better where they’re coming from.”
Ted Jordan – Music Therapist
“In August of 2022, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Facing one’s mortality is a humbling experience when it becomes so close that you can reach out and touch it.
The Compassion Project has taught me to remain steady in this storm and to explore curiosity in the face of my fragile life. This program is where I found the ground under my feet, offering me a community where I can hold others while being held myself.”
Jean Marie – Visual Artist
All current and past Compassion Project participants are also invited to join guided community practice and sharing sessions led by Marcy Vaughn and Gabriel Rocco offered for free every month on Zoom. Current and past participants can expect an email invitation on the Monday prior to each monthly community session with a link to register. Learn more and see a full schedule of dates.
No prior meditation experience is required. Beginning meditators and experienced practitioners are both welcome. The program is designed to meet you where you are and support your growth.
All large group classes are recorded and available for download. While we encourage live participation for the full experience, we understand work schedules and personal commitments can be demanding. Small group sessions are not recorded to maintain confidentiality but are offered at a variety of times to accommodate different schedules.
The Compassion Project specifically integrates select ancient Tibetan Bön practices with modern applications for helpers and caregivers. These practices provide a variety of ways to explore meditation, using different combinations of breath, awareness, movement, and voice. Through clear instruction you will bring challenges from your life to your meditation practice for healing, discovering your innate capacity for resilience, compassion, and service.
You’re invited to continue to join monthly ongoing community practice sessions open to current and past participants. Many participants continue with advanced programs like The 3 Doors Academy or maintain their practice through a variety of community practice groups, courses, and events.
Yes, a 2021 research study published in Current Psychology confirmed that Compassion Project participants experience enhanced mindfulness, reduced stress, and alleviated depression. Clinical Psychologist Michael Gawrysiak leads ongoing research on The 3 Doors practices, validating what participants consistently report: real, measurable improvements in their well-being and capacity to handle life’s challenges.
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