A More Loving World : How to increase compassion, kindness and joy

by The School of Life

The modern world is richer, safer and more connected than ever before but it is – arguably – also a far less loving world than we need or impatience, self-righteousness, moralism and viciousness are rife, while forgiveness, tolerance and sympathetic good humour can be in short supply.

A More Loving World rallies us to remember how much we all long for, and depend on, how much we need people to forgive us for our errors, how much everyone deserves to be treated with consideration and imagination and how being truly civilised means extending patience and kindness to all, even, and especially, those who don’t naturally appeal to us.

With the right encouragement, all of us are capable of immense kindness. But without it, we can quickly descend into something far darker. This book reminds us of our better natures and mobilises us to fight for the kinder, more loving world we long for.

Throughout, it frames love not as a romantic, idealistic fantasy, but as a serious and dignified force that can save us from meanness and strife, defend us against chaos and usher in hope.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Self Help, Psychology

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2022

About the author

The School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives.

We believe that the journey to finding fulfilment begins with self-knowledge. It is only when we have a sense of who we really are that we can make reliable decisions, particularly around love and work.

Sadly, tools and techniques for developing self-knowledge and finding fulfilment are hard to find – they’re not taught in schools, in universities, or in workplaces. Too many of us go through life without ever really understanding what’s going on in the recesses of our minds.

That’s why we created The School of Life; a resource for helping us understand ourselves, for improving our relationships, our careers and our social lives - as well as for helping us find calm and get more out of our leisure hours. We do this through films, workshops, books and gifts - as well as through a warm and supportive community.

Reviews

[Avril Polson · Rating 1 out of 5]

All opinions are entirely my own. I am in no way affiliated with the author or publisher. Remember to support your local indie bookstore and library!

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨ ᰔ ୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

"What it means to love: that is, to look out at the world through the window of our souls with special attention; to open ourselves up to otherness, attempting to give true value to existence; to rescue so-called minor elements from inattention, striving to correct our normal disregard and coldness, and so honouring the true beauty and complexity of things before darkness falls."

- [ ] Star Rating: 1.5 Stars
- [ ] Discovery: Browsing
- [ ] Reading Format: Physical
- [ ] Read Time: 1 Hour

The modern world is richer, safer and more connected than ever. But it is also a far less loving world.

Set out to read about love but it turns out I'm too much of a hater. If feels like this guy, because I'm assuming that's a written by a man, is just playing devils advocate. Apparently we should love everyone because we're really just children inside. We are more lenient with children because they are still learning and might not know any better, adults don't get that benefit of the doubt because they have grown up and they do know that and they don't care. Being able not to pass judgement on a corrupt politician who is actively trying to harm you and those you care for is a really privileged thing to say.

[Débora · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The challenge is to take love seriously, not primarily because doing so would be sweet or kind, provocative or vogueish, but because it would be sensible and cautious, because this is what stern military generals and unidealistic bankers should focus on in their vigilant pursuits of prosperity and safety. Love isn't a drug-assisted halcyon fantasy; it is the most effective security treaty and our finest form of planetary life insurance."

If there is a way, there is a way.

[Lera Hlinskaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A more loving world would be one in which we took responsibility for the emotional impact we have on others.”

I wanted to like A More Loving World more than I did. I agree with many of its ideas, but the book feels overly simplified, and not always in a helpful way. When complex subjects like love, responsibility, and human nature are reduced too quickly, arguments loose their strenth and meaning and it becomes way too easy to dismiss them.
If I hadn’t read about these principles more deeply elsewhere, this book might even have turned me away from them. That said, I did like a few things that were nicely put: the importance of repetion— how religions understood its power, and how modern culture often neglects it when it comes to reinforcing our core values. I also liked the idea of conscious “censorship”: choosing not to consume everything, and taking pride in the space that decision creates. Overall, it’s a gentle and kind book, but for a more lasting and transformative impact, I’d recommend other books:
What happened to you? - B.D. Perry
Nonviolent communication
Conversations on Love
A general theory of love
School of life - essential ideas:love

[Amarantine · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about it:
the “humanization” of adults, when the author says adults and children do wrong for the same reasons, that psychology behind is the same, a consequence of injury, a wound willing to be discovered.
Putting into perspective one’s own position in respect to others in life, not matter who the person is - is still capable to damage others (also show love)
The quote “our lives are constantly demeaned by missing smalls acts of grace”
The concept of “charity” outside the idea of the monetary but simply being gifted something that we need.
Loving the other as an acceptance but not as an agreement (for the “evil” ones), rather look beneath the surface for the damaged, lost and confused.
The tiny tips in the end of bringing silence and the personal censorship as taking care of one’s wellbeing, being in touch with yourself and the present moment (which will leave to another attempt to eradicate the smartphone out of my life)

[Zajkel Zaia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply insightful, blunt in its display of the emotional lexicon shared by humans. The book can be summarised to one singular concept - be loving. But the perspectives in which the writing presents depict an inner turmoil that both encourage and interfere with this idea. I was constantly presented with fresh and unique ideas that somehow seemed familiar, like I had not realised I had felt a certain way until reading it on paper.

I found the arguments made in the last quarter of the book weaker than the previous pages, which was disappointing as I expected it to have a strong conclusion. I found that there was a few contradictory points made; perhaps I did not understand the later arguments to completion? Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think a lot of people would benefit from reading it. 4.5 stars.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

*TW - sxual crimes*

Many good foundational ideas, but massive oversimplifications and some worrying parts such as numerous references to sxual predators/crimes who are "so called perverts" in his words, with a plethora of excuses such as someone "losing control for a brief moment and regretting it the moment they did it" "these people need love the most", people do these things because they didn't have what they needed growing up etc. My line of work sees first hand the utter depravity and frequency of sxual crimes and I can tell you that a great many of these people have all the love and privilege in the world and it doesn't stop them. In fact, much of the time it enables them.

[Roben]

..."of what it means to love: that is, to look out at the world through the window of our souls with special attention; to open ourselves up to otherness, attempting to give true value to existence; to reuse so-called minor elements from inattention, striving to correct our normal disregard and coldness, and so honoring the true beauty and complexity of things before darkness falls".

this tiny volume contains instruction for redirection - invaluable

[Duderantula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did help me to look at things differently, so I don't regret reading it. I felt some advice given in the book was obvious and I did not realise the book would reference religion a lot... Overall an OK book.

[Janel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet.

[Overbooked ✎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely little book ❤️

[Marieka Drovin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many good reminders, I loved this book SO much. ❤️ Will be reading it again and again

[Kimberley A · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is love? A brief answer probably popped into your head, but think again... What is love outside of what we've been taught by media and storybooks?

That version of love is the romanticised version. The truth is love is not always a fairytale, at least not all the time, and it shouldn't be shallowly reserved for only those who we like on the surface. In fact, love shouldn't only be for those we have a relationship with. While a different type of love, it should extend to those which we co-exist with in what often feels like a crazy, messed up world.

Love comes with forgiveness, understanding, and a willingness to look at the reasons behind someone's circumstances or actions. To accept that we are all imperfect.

In this book the author explores this, the real meaning of love, and how we can work towards a more caring world vs. the one we're currently in. It lends thanks to Christianity and Buddhism for showing us the importance of caring for all of society. The book builds on these ideas outside of religion.

An enjoyable read, that will make you think and reflect, short enough to read within just a few hours.

[Anna Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘What it means to love; to attempt to give true value to existence.’
I always tell people I don’t need much in life, only love. This book is the perfect example of why we should all feel like that.