Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life

By: Karen Armstrong

Narrated by: Karen Armstrong

One of the most original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world—author of such acclaimed books as A History of God, Islam, and Buddha—now gives us an impassioned and practical book that can help us make the world a more compassionate place.

Karen Armstrong believes that while compassion is intrinsic in all human beings, each of us needs to work diligently to cultivate and expand our capacity for compassion. Here, in this straightforward, thoughtful, and thought-provoking book, she sets out a program that can lead us toward a more compassionate life.

The twelve steps Armstrong suggests begin with “Learn About Compassion” and close with “Love Your Enemies.” In between, she takes up “compassion for yourself,” mindfulness, suffering, sympathetic joy, the limits of our knowledge of others, and “concern for everybody.” She suggests concrete ways of enhancing our compassion and putting it into action in our everyday lives, and provides, as well, a reading list to encourage us to “hear one another’s narratives.” Throughout, Armstrong makes clear that a compassionate life is not a matter of only heart or mind but a deliberate and often life-altering commingling of the two.

Critic reviews

“Karen Armstrong is a genius.” —A.N. Wilson, author of Jesus: A Life

“Armstrong can simplify complex ideas, but she is never simplistic.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Armstrong is a masterful writer.” —Publishers Weekly

“Armstrong has the gift of being able to compress a lot of information into a small space without losing focus or clarity.” —Edmonton Journal

Great book

This was a great book. It made me realize how important it is to treat others with compassion, increased my understanding of other religions and made me a better person.

Worth reading and re-reading

A worthwhile read that covers many traditions and philosophies and provides some very specific, actionable strategies for moving forward in one’s life.

Compassion is the Goal

Karen guides us through living a compassionate life. I will definitely listen several times to develop a more compassionate heart and life.

Thought Provoking

I found this book to be thought provoking and one that will require a second-third-fourth...listen as self-work on being compassionate is never complete. The author narrates and I enjoyed listening.

Author's reading adds to book

If you could sum up Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life in three words, what would they be?

read again and again

What was one of the most memorable moments of Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life?

The story of the Head Nun who showed Karen compassion--What one small thing can do to bolster up another person.

What about Karen Armstrong’s performance did you like?

This is a very well-written book. I am reading it as part of a book club over the duration of a year. I have the print and the audible--Having the author read the text makes it really come alive in a way that the print does not.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no.

Any additional comments?

This is a very excellent book--it is not for the casual reader. If you follow the instructions of the book, you will have your work cut out for you for a long time. I loved the way each step builds upon the next in a the way traditional 12-step programs do. Don't be turned off by the 12-step approach, as my husband was. Give yourself time to work through the steps--invite a friend or several to work through the book with you.