In these transformative Summits, seasoned practitioners and thought leaders converge to explore the profound impact and potential of the Empathy Circle practice. These gatherings serve as a crucible for understanding and advancing the Empathy Movement, with the Empathy Circle at its core.
Key Summit Highlights:
- Personal Narratives: Participants share compelling stories of how the Empathy Circle practice has influenced their lives and work, offering real-world examples of its transformative power.
- Mechanics and Efficacy: Experts dissect the inner workings of the practice, explaining why and how it fosters genuine connection and understanding among participants.
- Benefits and Challenges: A balanced exploration of the positive outcomes and potential hurdles encountered in implementing Empathy Circles, providing a comprehensive view of the practice.
- Empathic Consciousness: Delve into the profound shift in perspective and being that emerges through regular engagement with Empathy Circles.
- Innovation and Evolution: Discover how the core Empathy Circle practice has inspired new methodologies and applications across various fields.
- Future Horizons: Engage in stimulating discussions about the future potential of Empathy Circles and their role in shaping a more compassionate society.
- Community Connection: The Summit serves as a reunion for facilitators, practitioners, trainees, and supporters, fostering a vibrant community of practice.
 Summit Schedule:
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 9 am PT to 12:30 pm PT, Â please check your time zone here. here.
Speakers Highlight:
 Janna Weiss & Maria Trottmann will present at 9:15 am (PT) for 20 min on the topic: Embodying Virtue: Combining the Classic Empathy Circle with Universal Human Values
The classic Empathy Circle always includes the option to speak about whatever is in your heart and mind, and will usually also include a suggested topic. Along with the “free speech” option, a community of Empathy Circle practitioners combines the Empathy Circle practice with the 16 Guidelines. The 16 Guidelines are a set of universal human values based on a short 7th century classic Tibetan text that helped transform Tibet from a violent society to a compassionate society. Values or virtues such as humility, gratitude, forgiveness, and courage have known benefits for human flourishing and wellbeing.
About the speakers Janna and Maria:
Janna is an acupuncturist and herbalist, and teaches mind science in New York City. She holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in Biological Sciences—Botany (ethnobotany). Janna is also a human rights activist, for peace, for Tibet, for the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities, and for the real rights of children and families. Janna began studying Tibetan Buddhism in 2005. She is a trained 16 Guidelines Level 1 & 2 and Unlocking Your Potential Facilitator, and an Empathy Circle Facilitator and Trainer.
Maria is an Empathy Circle Facilitator and a student of the 16 Guidelines. She is passionate about Empathy Circles and the way this simple dialogue structure, grounded in active listening, can foster connection, clarity, and mutuality. Maria holds a PhD in Economics and works as a data analyst in the health sector.
Many more speakers will participate in the Summit, please check the event page by clicking on the Register button below
