Interview with Dr. James Doty

The Magic of Compassion

I spoke with neurosurgeon Dr. James R. Doty about the importance and science of Compassion, Equanimity and Intention for success in life. James R. Doty, M.D. is the founder and director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University of which His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the founding benefactor. He collaborates with scientists from a number of disciplines examining the moral, social and neural bases for compassion and altruism.

He is a professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, as well as an inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. As a philanthropist, Dr. Doty supports a number of charitable organizations supporting peace initiatives and providing healthcare throughout the world. He supports a variety of research initiatives and has provided scholarships and endowed chairs at multiple universities including Stanford University and Tulane University School of Medicine, his Alma Mater.

Dr. Doty is the former chairman of the Dalai Lama Foundation, is the vice-chair of the Charter for Compassion and serves on the Board of Governors of Tulane University School of Medicine. He also serves on the Senior Advisory Board of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions and the Advisory Board of the Greater Good Science Center. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart that has been translated into 31 languages. Dr. Doty is also the senior editor of the newly released Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science.Listen to or download the interview with Dr. James DotyTo find out more about James' work at CCARE, visit:

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