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| Titre : | Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life |
| Auteurs : | Karen Armstrong |
| Type de document : | document électronique |
| Editeur : | [S.l.] : Knopf, 2010 |
| ISBN/ISSN/EAN : | 978-0-307-59559-1 |
| Résumé : |
### From Publishers Weekly The prolific, well-informed, and passionate Armstrong (The Case for God) writes a somewhat different book this time out, stemming from her winning a ,000 prize in 2007 to promote an idea worth spreading. She always has a thesis in her books as she sweeps over the historical development of world religions, but this is a book with an agenda: you ought to be more compassionate, and hereÔäós how. So instead of being her usual somewhat academic teacher of religious history, she is more of a personal spiritual teacher, in the vein of the Dalai Lama. That task, and corresponding tone (┼ôBe patient with yourself during this meditation┬Ø), is not her long suit. Still, this slightly self-help-y book is deeply grounded in what Armstrong knows, and presents, well: the core teachings of all religions that can make us better, more compassionate humans. The former nun pulls ideas and references from religions Eastern and Western with aplomb and respect for all sources. This counter to the religion-is-homicidal-and-superstitious school of invective passing for thought is well-informed, welcome, and practical. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. ### From *Starred Review* It takes courage for a religious historian and writer of ArmstrongÔÇÖs stature to step out from behind the scrim of scholarship and analysis to offer guidelines for a spiritual practice designed to make humanity a kinder and saner species. With the boon of the prestigious TED Prize, Armstrong (The Case for God, 2009) worked with ÔÇ£leading thinkers from a variety of major faithsÔÇØ to compose a Charter for Compassion, which calls for the restoration of ÔÇ£compassion to the heart of religious and moral lifeÔÇØ in a ÔÇ£dangerously polarizedÔÇØ world. Not content with merely stating lofty goals, however, Armstrong, a revered genius of elucidation and synthesis, now tells the full and profound story of altruism throughout human history. She turns to neuroscience and tracks the evolution of our brains and our natural capacity for empathy, and performs her signature mode of beautifully clarifying interpretation in a mind-expanding discussion of the history of the Golden Rule (ÔÇ£Always treat others as you would wish to be treated yourselfÔÇØ), the essence of compassion and the kernel of every religious tradition. Exquisite and affecting explications of Buddhist, Confucian, Judaic, Christian, and Islamic commentary prepare the ground for meditation exercises meant to engender ÔÇ£open-mindednessÔÇØ and the cultivation of compassion, making for the most sagacious and far-reaching 12-step program ever. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: A hefty print run is planned for renowned religious thinker ArmstrongÔÇÖs bold approach to teaching the compassionate ethos. --Donna Seaman |
