num_pages: 222
description: One of the most original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern worldauthor of such acclaimed books as A History of God Islam and Buddhanow 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 anothers 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.From the Hardcover edition.
language: English
title: Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life
publisher: Random House Audio