Radical Compassion: Shambhala Publications Authors on the Path of Boundless Love

by Shambhala Publications, Judith L. Lief (Introduction), Ringu Tulku (Contributor)

What is compassion? Much more than just being nice, compassion is about looking deeply at ourselves and others and recognizing the fundamental goodness we all share. It’s about opening up to the vulnerable space inside every one of us and letting our barriers down. And it’s about daring to be present to ourselves and others with genuine love and kindness. Empowering personal awakening and social change, it might be the most radical and transformative thing we can do.The cultivation of compassion has long been at the core of Naropa University’s mission, since its origins in 1974—and its students and faculty have been leaders in contemplative education with heart. In celebration of Naropa’s fortieth anniversary, Shambhala Publications is pleased to offer these teachings on the path of compassion from a collection of authors who have helped shape the school’s unique and innovative identity,    • Chögyam Trungpa on opening ourselves more and more to love the whole of humanity   • Dzogchen Ponlop on how to cultivate altruism with the help of a spiritual mentor   • Judith L. Lief on the common obstacles to compassion and how to overcome them   • Gaylon Ferguson on awakening human-heartedness in oneself and society amidst everyday life   • Diane Musho Hamilton on connecting to natural empathy and taking a compassionate approach to conflict resolution   • Reginald A. Ray on spiritual practices for developing the enlightened mind and heart in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition   • Ringu Tulku on the practices of bodhisattvas, those who devote themselves to the path of enlightenment for the sake of all beings   • Pema Chödrön on building up loving-kindness for oneself and others with help from traditional Buddhist slogans   • Ken Wilber on what it really means to be a support person, with reflections from his own life   • Karen Kissel Wegela on avoiding caregiver’s burnout and staying centered amidst our efforts to help those in need   • and reflections on Naropa University and the meaning of radical compassion from longstanding faculty member Judith Simmer-Brown

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Meditation, Self Help

117 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2014

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays and articles about radical, active compassion....

Overall a good, thought provoking read. I especially enjoyed the essay written by Pema Chödrön on active compassion, and overcoming our greatest obstacles.

[Smitha Murthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me think. Who am I? Am I being truly compassionate?

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthology

An anthology on compassion - ranging from the mystical to the profane - with emphasis on Eastern philosophy. The impact of Buddhism is strong and as with any anthology, some readings are great, some are a bit of a slog. On balance, a good look at the philosophy of compassion.

[Hilary Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-Opening

A truly eye-opening read. I recommend this book for anyone going through difficult times that seem to have no answer. You will find a world view in this book that allows you to live more freely aligned with the essence of life. Your mind will be challenged and changed.

[Jule · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before reading this you should introduce yourself into the Shambhala philosophy. I haven´t done this and without preknowledge only about 30% of the ideas are understandable. I quit after the first essay

[Francisca Villahermosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good light on a difficult action

This book is about living compassion on a daily basis, filled with clarity on how to help others and oneself at the same time I recommend this book.

[Pedro I. Subirats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Urgent needed for today

One of the best readings on compassion. Excellent selection of authors. If humanity needs urgently a path to survival, start with a radical approach to compassion.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad collection, but almost none of the essays really stood out to me. Some were a bit too esoteric and technical, while others struck me as blandly generic. Ken Wilber's piece was probably the most accessible and "useable" one in the collection.

[Esther Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things that Matter

As a Christian, I read this book with an open mind & received lots of good principles that helped. The authors remove the surfaces of life & taps into the deep things that matter

[Joan DeArtemis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful book for the pastoral care professional.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a nice collection of writings focused on the idea of compassion.

[Richard Pütz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, most interesting perspective to drive conscious compassion into our lives. Something we seem to have lost in the modern world

[craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks

A lot of times reviewing simple ideas can straighten up the more complex aspects of life. Thank you to the publishers and authors.

[MICHAEL BLAND · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic Compassion

The series of articles included in book provide very sensible instructions for leading a more inclusive and caring life with other people.

[Clint the Cool Guy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Does not address dealing with toxic people in any form, which to me makes it useless.

[h · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent assortment of essays and excepts regarding compassion. I loved it, and I felt like it made a mark on my soul. Just wonderful. If you read nothing else, at least read the last except.

[Paulo Peres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Você vai se desenvolver

Um grande compêndio de história e opiniões de autores que relatam como a compaixão pode ser sentida e desenvolvida. Leia!

[Nikos · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has 10 chapters from different authors.
Three chapters are good but I can't say the same for the rest.

For me the chapters worth reading were
The path of authentic compassion
Compassionate action
A support person

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent compilation of articles from well-known Buddhist writers.

[Bethany Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy, eye opening read. Very grateful

A great primer on Buddhist compassion as a lived experience. Ready to dig deeper into this philosophy and way of life.

[Anne Earney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall a great collection of essays. Particularly helpful to me: The Open Way, for explaining compassion; Compassionate Action, for being so accessibly written, even funny; and A Support Person, which would be a good guide, I think, if I find myself in that role.