The overall message Armstrong is getting across is quite agreeable. I also like how Armstrong makes links to many different figures of a religious, social and educational perspective. However, I did not agree with the particular order in which she gave her ideas... But this was a small blemish in the grand scheme of the book. Ultimately I think this is an informative read and not too heavy. Also, I won 2nd place at the national level for a competition which was on this book.

Excellent background and practical ideas for moving toward living more compassionate lives. Brings together common threads from various major religious traditions, from hindu to islam (excluding agnosticism and atheism, which is a weakness). Armstrong is serious about getting more people to not just talk about compassion, but to become more compassionate. This book is designed for group as well as individual work. Highly recommend.

This book is a companion to the Charter for Compassion initiative, which author Karen Armstrong began after receiving a TED award (see http://charterforcompassion.org/site/). The aim of the initiative and the book is to get everyone to follow the Golden Rule, which is a key doctrine in all major world religions. It can be expressed in two ways: treat others the way you want others to treat you, and don't treat others in a way that you wouldn't want to be treated yourself. The book lays out twelve progressive reflections or steps on how to become more compassionate. Armstrong admits it's not easy and many of us may never complete all twelve steps. It involves reflection, meditation, and thinking twice before acting. And it requires action, but action that is compassionate and considerate towards others. Like all Armstrong's work, it is well-written and very thoughtful. It stresses the commonality between belief systems and downplays the differences as insignificant. While I wholeheartedly agree with the basic premise, I'm not sure universal compassion is achievable, given human nature. And the work leaves some rather large unanswered questions. How does compassion factor into such activities as parenting, teaching, competitive sports, court trials, and other activities that, to greater or lesser degrees, involve some form of conflict or contest? To look at it another way, if we were all to become as compassionate as Jesus, or Buddha, or Gandhi, who all lived off the generosity of others, who would grow the food and make the objects that make life possible? The book is good, but needs to examine more of the implications of living a compassionate life.

Drawing on multiple religious traditions, Armstrong gives some good practical suggestions for being more compassionate in our daily lives.

See Armstrong's presentation on this topic at the New York Public Library here: http://fora.tv/2011/01/11/Karen_Armstrong_Twelve_Steps_to_a_Compassionate_Life

Armstrong's 12 step program to a better world.