Compassion in Action: Setting out on the Path of Service » (2ND)

Featuring an eye-catching new cover, this classic guide is for those ready to commit time and energy to relieving suffering in the world. No two people are better qualified to help us along this path than Ram Dass, who has spent more than 25 years teaching and writing on the subject of living consciously, and Mirabi Bush, who succeeded him as chairperson of the Seva Foundation.

Library Journal

This book continues along the line of previous books by Dass, such as (with Paul Gorman) How Can I Help? (Knopf, 1985) and (with the Lama Foundation) Be Here Now (Crown, 1971). In explaining how one becomes compassionate or works to reduce suffering, Dass presents his own spiritual journey in the first part of the book. Although he is open to various religious and philosophical traditions, he is primarily grounded in the traditions of the East, especially Hinduism and Buddhism. The second part of the book, written by Bush, contains a discussion of principles for compassionate action, such as ``Do What You Love,'' ``Start Small,'' and ``Reflect on Your Motives.'' At the end there is not only an annotated bibliography, but an annotated directory of organizations which will appeal to those seeking to put compassion into action. Recommended. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/91.-- John Moryl, Yeshiva Univ. Lib., New York