From NPR's On Being with Krista Tippett, this is a replay of an engaging and uplifiting conversation with Jean Vanier, a Canadian Catholic philosopher turned theologian, humanitarian, and the founder of L'Arche, an international federation of group homes for people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them.

Via Wikipedia:

In recognition of his contributions and humanness to the marginalized, Jean Vanier has received numerous distinctions and awards including the Companion of the Order of Canada, the Legion of Honour (France) and many awards from faith groups, among them the Paul VI International Prize, the Community of Christ International Peace Award, the Rabbi Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award and the Gaudium et Spes Award. The asteroid 8604 was officially named Vanier in his honour in 2010.[6] He received the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award in 2013.[7]

Enjoy.

The Wisdom of Tenderness: Jean Vanier on Lived Compassion, L'Arche, and Becoming Human

August 22, 2013

Considered by some to be a living saint, Jean Vanier created L'Arche, a model of community for people with mental disabilities that celebrates power in smallness and light in the darkness of human existence. The French Canadian philosopher and Catholic social innovator speaks about his understanding of humanity and God that has been shaped by Aristotle, Mother Teresa, and people who would once have been locked away from society.

Listen

• Radio Show/Podcast (mp3, 51:00)
• Unedited Interview Jean Vanier (mp3, 100:48)

Recommended Reading

Heart of L'Arche: A Spirituality for Every Day (L'Arche Collection)
Author: Jean Vanier
Publisher: Crossroad Publishing Company (1995)
Binding: Paperback, 96 pages


Becoming Human
Author: Jean Vanier
Publisher: Paulist Pr (1999)

Becoming Human is one of Jean Vanier's most beloved books, providing insight into his theology, anthropology, and spirit. And, The Heart of L'Arche (out of print but available used) is his lovely, slim history and introduction to L'Arche.

Links and Resources

L'Arche Internationale
This multilingual site serves as a great introduction to the mission, vision, and scope of the the worldwide movement that Vanier founded and now has roots in 131 communities. 

L'Arche USA
The central Web site for the 16 L'Arche communities in the United States. Pay attention to the photo gallery and letters to the communities from Jean Vanier, which are particularly compelling. 

Faith and Light (Foi et Lumiere)
Vanier also co-founded this worldwide association of organizations working to encourage people with disabilities in their spiritual lives.

"Journey to L’Arche"
Dutch Catholic priest and prolific spiritual author Henri Nouwen spent his professional life teaching at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard. But in the last decade of his life he lived at L'Arche Daybreak, near Toronto, Canada. Here's a sermon he gave on "meeting God in a whole new way" through being a member of this community.

• Krista's Journal
• Transcript

VIDEO INTERVIEWS WITH KRISTA TIPPETT 

In the Room with Jean Vanier

From a converted farmhouse at the Bishop Claggett Center in rural Maryland, a rare interview with Jean Vanier. Watch his conversation with Krista Tippett and observe how he speaks with his whole body, especially his hands.

Sylvia Boorstein - The Transformational Capacity of Tenderness

This is a nice dharma talk from Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

Sylvia Boorstein - The Transformational Capacity of Tenderness

Sylvia Boorstein

My greatest joy is giving the gift of love and hope through the dharma, knowing it is possible for humans to transform their hearts. These dharma gifts include paying attention, practicing clarity and kindness and addressing the suffering of the world--which, of course, includes ourselves.

Right now I'm most enthusiastic about the first gift, paying attention, because it makes every part of our lives better. Paying attention allows us to become more clear, and each moment of clarity is a gift to ourselves and those around us. Clarity keeps us from contributing to more suffering. The gift of clarity and kindness also supports a peaceful heart, which allows us to address the suffering in the world with love. When we practice clarity, we offer the possibility for humans to live in a different way. But a peaceful heart is only the beginning. We also have to take action, go out and directly address the suffering with peace in our hearts.

As a parent, grandparent and a psychotherapist, I teach out of the stories of my life and the lives of those around me. I am especially touched by personal narrative, accounts of spiritual journeys, and how these become vehicles for connecting with the dharma. I believe in revealing my own story so that others are more at ease to reveal theirs. Truth talking is a way out of suffering. Discovering how our hearts and minds work and creating a dialogue supports right speech practice. This is an on-going primary practice that we can do all the time. My hope is that I encourage people how to pay attention and to tell the truth by example.

The Transformational Capacity of Tenderness 51:49

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