Why is it often so much easier to feel compassion for those we identify with, and so much harder to extend it to those we fear, dislike, or blame? Clinical psychologist James Kirby and contemplative teacher Fleet Maull explore the emotions that cause us to close our hearts to others. Join us to discover specific psychological strategies and contemplative practices to interrupt divisive thinking and widen your moral concern.
Insight & Action: The Compassion Science Series
This is the second event in our 2026 series exploring the hindrances to compassion – specifically the mental habits that limit our care for those we perceive as “other.” The series is curated and organized by Myriam Mongrain, PhD, Chair of the Global Compassion Coalition Science Committee.
What to Expect
We will dive into what the science tells us about how people can learn to widen their moral concern, rather than remaining confined to their in-group. These are just some of the topics we’ll explore:
Working with emotions that can block our compassion, like anger, contempt, and moral judgment.
Practical ways to interrupt the impulse to turn others into “the enemy.”
Strategies for interpersonal, social, and political conflict.
Meet the Speakers
Fleet Maull, PhD, an author, meditation teacher, and social entrepreneur, developed Neuro-Somatic Mindfulness (NSM), a deeply embodied, neuroscience and trauma-informed approach to meditation offering an accelerated path to healing & awakening. He is both a Zen roshi and a senior teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He founded Heart Mind Institute, #578 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, a transformational education platform for self-actualization and life mastery training courses and summits. He also founded Prison Mindfulness Institute and National Prison Hospice Association, catalyzing two national movements, while serving a 14-year sentence, 1985 to 1999. Dr. Maull is the author of Radical Responsibility: How to Move Beyond Blame, Fearlessly Live Your Highest Purpose and Become an Unstoppable Force for Good.
James N. Kirby, PhD., is an Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, Director of the Clinical Programs, and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. His research focus is on the science of compassion, exploring what helps or hinders our ability to be compassionate. James is a Fellow of the Mind & Life Institute, and a founding board member of the Global Compassion Coalition. In 2022 he authored Choose Compassion.
Myriam Mongrain, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Full Professor of Psychology at York University. She is an active clinician, researcher, and teacher. Recently, she has looked at positive psychology interventions to boost resilience, reduce depression and promote well-being. She has examined the effect of interventions such as the practice of gratitude, kindness, and optimism in large community samples and has found evidence for their benefits. Her current interests revolve around the understanding and impact of compassionate goals. As well, the students in her lab are researching world views, nihilism, humility, and mindfulness in relationship to happiness and well-being. She is currently Chair of the Science of Committee for the Global Compassion Coalition.
Register here for this free online event. Please note, this event has been standardized to the Eastern Time Zone.