Twelve Steps to a Compassionate LifeKaren Armstrong, Knopf: New York, 2010
Karen Armstrong is a religious historian well known for her many writings on faith and the major religions, including the best selling History of God (1999). In 2008 she was awarded the TED prize - a prize which is given annually to an exceptional individual who receives $100,000 and “One Wish to Change the World.” Armstrong’s wish was to draw a wide range of people together to develop the Charter for Compassion, information about which can be found at Charter for Compassion and also on this website at Australian Launch of the Charter for Compassion
In response to the frequently asked question about compassion - “How do we start?” -Armstrong has penned Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life.
Some critics have questioned the need for a whole book on compassion - surely “love your neighbour as yourself” says it all? Some have said that the book is more a religious history of compassion than a step by step guide to compassion. I believe that to see it in this light is to underestimate its usefulness. Compassion is core to most of the major world religions and most have a lot to contribute to the “how to” quest ion.
Armstrong brings to this book her extensive knowledge of a variety of religious traditions and her strong belief in the positive contribution religious belief makes to society. She has not set out to “blend” religious traditions. Rather she is calling us to sit down side by side with “the neighbour who is different” and encourage each to bring the richness of our own tradition to the question of restoring compassion as a core value in our homes, in our cities and in our world.
In the book there is a chapter for each step, and yes, there are historical and anecdotal reflections within each chapter. But these provide the platform on which to base the ways forward. I found that compared with Armstrong’s usual very thorough, detailed analyses, this book is shorter and more practical, expanding on such principles as love of self, looking at our own world, knowing how little we actually do know and concern for everybody.
In short, I would recommend this book for study particularly by groups wanting to sit down with others from different faith traditions who are also seeking to bring about a more just and compassionate world.
Rev. Heather Griffin