Part of the purpose of Bardwood Lodge, nevertheless, is to provide a place for Druid rituals, the pursuit of enlightened living, and the study of many spiritual and magickal traditions. Finally, we at the Bardic Institute value connection to other cultures, so that travel and adventure around the world must also be a part of our work and life. The necessary counterpoint to a life of artistic creativity is to travel to other places, learn about the world, to respectfully touch other ways of living and the riches of Nature. The idea that cooperation between creators, the sharing of ideas, discussion, and teamwork can yield better results than solitary acts of creation. This is the value that underlies our desire for a community of artists.
Compassion also extends to all forms of life, the planet, and the universe itself.
Respect for Others . A corrollary of the attitude of compassion in all things is respect for other's needs and opinions. And the corrollary of respect for others is self-compassion, tolerance of one's own failings and weakensses, fears and longings. We must also demand respect for ourselves from others when we give them respect, in mutual compassion. Sharpening the Saw .