1st Edition
The Seven Virtues of Highly Compassionate People Tools for Cultivating a Life of Harmony and Joy
What are the practical implications of truly caring about yourself and others, of approaching each day with an open mind, an open heart, and a desire to reduce the suffering of all living beings? Can we learn compassion as a way of life, as an antidote to violence and cruelty? In The Seven Virtues of Highly Compassionate People, social scientists Nancy Guerra and Kirk R. Williams provide easy-to-follow steps to help you understand the what, the why, and the how of compassion. They bring together cutting-edge research, inspiring spiritual teachings, and their own life experiences to help you bring compassion front and center in your life. Not only is compassion good for you and those around you, but it is the key to a more peaceful and just world.
“The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND)] 4.0 license. Funded by The Living Peace Foundation.”
Part One: The Case for Compassion 1. The Compassion Cure 2. Born to Care 3. Compassion is Good For You Part Two: The How of Compassion 4. Getting Started: Decluttering, Reframing, and Setting Your Intention 5. The Ladder of Compassion: The Seven Virtues of Highly Compassionate People 6. Practicing Self-Compassion 7. Compassion Towards All Living Things Part Three: Moving Forward 8. Barriers to Compassion 9. Your Personal Journey of Compassion
Biography
Nancy Guerra holds a doctorate in human development and psychology from Harvard University. She has designed and implemented interventions to promote social-emotional learning and prevent violence with children and youth.
Kirk R. Williams has a PhD in sociology from the University of Arizona. He is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society at the University of California, Irvine. He studies the causes and prevention of youth violence and adult intimate partner violence with an emphasis on domestic violence risk assessment.
"This is a thoughtful, inspiring, and practical guide to how to use compassion to better our lives, communities, and world. Weaving cutting-edge scientific discoveries with their own personal experiences as world-renowned scientists and practitioners, Professors Guerra and Williams challenge us to rediscover our own shared humanity through connecting more deeply with ourselves and others."
Paul Piff, PhD, associate professor of psychological science, University of California, Irvine
"If you want more joy, peace, and meaning in your life and relationships, this book is a must read. As a student in Professor Guerra's compassion courses, I have experienced first hand how the lessons in this book are life changing. When I was facing extreme personal stress—full-time student, working odd jobs, and dealing with a stage 3 cancer diagnosis—the lessons I learned in the compassion courses contributed profoundly to helping me manage and be at peace with these challenges, and I carry them with me wherever I go. I hope you will do the same, and that together we can navigate life's challenges and create a more compassionate world."
Daelyn Nicole Daniloff, BA, University of California, Irvine
"In a time of cruel international wars and profound polarization in many countries, where dehumanization of the adversary allows violence, war crimes, and grave human rights abuses, Nancy Guerra and Kirk R. Williams offer us hope and optimism. Guerra and Williams teach us to practice empathy and compassion in our everyday life and operationalize the idea of 'love thy neighbor'. They also provide us with a guide on how to teach compassion to our students, our families, and our coworkers. This book is a very useful resource for any workplace and any family."
Martin Burt, PhD, founder and CEO of Fundación Paraguaya and Poverty Stoplight; former mayor of Asunción, Paraguay
