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“Armstrong can simplify complex ideas, but she is never simplistic.” — The New York Times Book Review
One of the most original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world—author of such acclaimed books as A History of God, Islam, and Buddha—now gives us an impassioned and practical book that can help us make the world a more compassionate place.
Karen Armstrong believes that while compassion is intrinsic in all human beings, each of us needs to work diligently to cultivate and expand our capacity for compassion. Here, in this straightforward, thoughtful, and thought-provoking book, she sets out a program that can lead us toward a more compassionate life.
The twelve steps Armstrong suggests begin with “Learn About Compassion” and close with “Love Your Enemies.” In between, she takes up “compassion for yourself,” mindfulness, suffering, sympathetic joy, the limits of our knowledge of others, and “concern for everybody.” She suggests concrete ways of enhancing our compassion and putting it into action in our everyday lives, and provides, as well, a reading list to encourage us to “hear one another’s narratives.” Throughout, Armstrong makes clear that a compassionate life is not a matter of only heart or mind but a deliberate and often life-altering commingling of the two.
View the twelve steps:
Karen Armstrong is the author of numerous books on religious affairs—including A History of God, The Battle for God, Holy War, Islam, Buddha, The Great Transformation, and The Case for God—and two memoirs, Through the Narrow Gate and The Spiral Staircase. Her work has been translated into forty-five languages. In February 2008 she was awarded the TED Prize and began working on the Charter for Compassion, created online by the general public and crafted by leading thinkers in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The charter was signed in November 2009 by a thousand religious and secular leaders. She lives in London.
Looking foward to reading this. I enjoy reading Karen Armstrong’s work.
It must have been amazing and wonderful working with leading thinkers in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Many thanks for making their voice heard as one.
Life as brought us together, love connects us and The Spirit holds us together as ONE.
I thank Rev. Melony McGant for introducing me to Karen Armstrong’s Book. I am looking forward to reading!
I am truly inspired by your work. May God bless you and grant you the best of health and along life to lead us through this wonderful work that you have started.
Readin the 12 points on The Charter for Compassion has been an introspective experience for me. I question my own level of compassion on a daily basis now. Do I really treat all individuals like I would like to be treated at all times? The honest answer is a resounding NO! Yes I am embarassed to acknowledge this. But I am grateful too. Now I am mindful of my behaviors toward my fellow human being on the expressways, in the check out line, on the bus…you name it. It has helped me to be a better person in all the small ways that make our daily lives a chore or a pleasure.
Thank you with all my heart.
Karen,
Thank you , Peace Love and Blessings.
Wayne