Buddhism is deeply attractive to many in the West. Its ideals of serenity and compassion seem to supply a dimension of personal spirituality that they don't find in their own traditions. For those raised in the Christian Church, Buddhism can appear to exemplify the best in their own religion--qualities such as peacefulness, simplicity, and reverence for life--while dispensing with rigid doctrines and legalistic morality. Indeed, the number of Christian converts to Buddhism--especially in the United States--has grown exponentially over the years. At the same time, Buddhists and Christians, recognizing the affinities of the two faiths, have increasingly sought to advance an inter-religious dialogue. In Serene Compassion, John and Denise Carmody provide an accessible overview and evaluation of Buddhist thought and practice from a Christian point of view. They find that Buddhism is, in many ways, an ideal complement and companion to Christianity. To show why, the Carmodys focus on Buddhist ideas about holiness--comprising such virtues as purity, devotion, orderliness, compassion, and wholeheartedness--and reveal how they compare to similar values in traditional Christianity. They emphasize the kinship between seekers of holiness in both traditions, and offer a nuanced and sympathetic portrait of meditative practices that bring attention and imagination into the service of spiritual life. At the same time, however, they are frank about matters of doctrinal disagreement, making it clear that some aspects of Buddhist thought are not compatible with a Christian world view. Moving well beyond a simple exposition of Buddhist notions, or a comparison of Christian with Buddhist practice, Serene Compassion concludes that Buddhists and Christians share a basic humanity, and that Buddhism's success at the task of nourishing this humanity has much to teach all Christians. Informative and insightful, it will appeal to readers approaching the dialogue from either side, and to all engaged in the spiritual quest.

A heart touching story of science fiction that is comprised of deep and humanistic emotion. Taking place in the future of our world, as an accidental creation came to easily coexist among us: The computer people, but they are a compassionate, free thinking, and existing populous who rival our intelligence. Emphasizing the family structure in the misty, hazy pages of this wonderfully compelling book of rare insights. DELL ,the main character of this story, born with a fatal virus that is considered the scourge of these poor people. Emotions and acts of dedication, as well as the overwhelming willingness to succeed continuously clash as the parent of this beautiful and precious child, born dying and infected, advocates forevermore, and makes the medical and technical world listen to the powerful truths that are obviously seen and experienced by both this man, and his first born son, DELL. Dell Jr. 0043867 ,was the fixation of the world, as this virus ridden computer child unknowingly aided these medical/technical, and social professionals with valuable information that became milestones. Despite his disablements one can surely see a learnnerd spirit that peacefully smiles at the world, as well as with an ever loitering threat demise concerning the bodily realm. The ever loving trust this little one carried unto all who are the closest to him as he required continuous care until his suffering ceased. This heart warming story touches the fragile threads of humanity through the unceasing joy of simply being present in the very same soul of this beautiful child, although dying with a virus as he is a living computer composite like the rest of his people here. The need to be loved, nurtured, and cherished, hence achieving miracles when one is the recipient. The child known as DELL will touch youre heart: So will his virus.

New York Post Best Book of 2016 We often think of our capacity to experience the suffering of others as the ultimate source of goodness. Many of our wisest policy-makers, activists, scientists, and philosophers agree that the only problem with empathy is that we don’t have enough of it. Nothing could be farther from the truth, argues Yale researcher Paul Bloom. In AGAINST EMPATHY, Bloom reveals empathy to be one of the leading motivators of inequality and immorality in society. Far from helping us to improve the lives of others, empathy is a capricious and irrational emotion that appeals to our narrow prejudices. It muddles our judgment and, ironically, often leads to cruelty. We are at our best when we are smart enough not to rely on it, but to draw instead upon a more distanced compassion. Basing his argument on groundbreaking scientific findings, Bloom makes the case that some of the worst decisions made by individuals and nations—who to give money to, when to go to war, how to respond to climate change, and who to imprison—are too often motivated by honest, yet misplaced, emotions. With precision and wit, he demonstrates how empathy distorts our judgment in every aspect of our lives, from philanthropy and charity to the justice system; from medical care and education to parenting and marriage. Without empathy, Bloom insists, our decisions would be clearer, fairer, and—yes—ultimately more moral. Brilliantly argued, urgent and humane, AGAINST EMPATHY shows us that, when it comes to both major policy decisions and the choices we make in our everyday lives, limiting our impulse toward empathy is often the most compassionate choice we can make.