Lovingkindness

Lovingkindness--acting with selfless compassion toward others--is a widely recognized virtue that is honored across world religions. But what does it look like in practice? How can we more fully and consistently live this calling, to be a loving presence in the world? This book explores the promise and challenge of living with lovingkindness, a concept with deep ancient roots. It offers a framework of twelve dimensions along which people make choices in daily life. Short chapters explore each of these dimensions of lovingkindness, including opportunities for practice. The structure is suitable for self-study or for use in discussion groups. In truth, lovingkindness is not something that you can achieve or perfect. It is more like a star by which to guide your life journey, a distant goal toward or away from which you move through countless choices that you make each day. This book is about that journey.""Don't expect a dry or pious book here! Miller writes with clarity, calm but inspireddevelopment of one shining idea, and with an experienced knowledge that is infectious. I sincerely hope the book receives a wide readership. Its truth and allurementare hard to resist.""--Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, NM ""Lovingkindnessprovides a nexus where major religions and scientific psychology intersect. William R. Miller, one of our most prolific and generative psychologists, explores calling, human nature, and an arc toward a positive existence. He sees lovingkindness as a choice humans can make. He goes beyond advocating it as an attitude and describes practical ways we each can choose to be more loving. This book will make you think, but it will also empower you to act as a more responsibly loving person.""--Everett L. Worthington, Jr.,Professor of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University; Author ofForgivingand Reconciling: Bridges to Wholeness and Hope""In a world where we find ourselves so easily distracted by too much, it's easy to give ourselves reasons to shut down and say no. Bill gives us an alternative to being too busy and an alternative to shutting the world out--in responding with lovingkindness. Bill's book is short, approachable, and easy to read, while being full of richness and depth that both challenges us to be our best selves and shows us a way to do it. This is a great resource for individuals and small groups.""--Deborah W. Huggins, Associate Pastor, Central Presbyterian Church, Summit, NJ""This is a book full of timeless wisdom, deep spiritual insight, and practical suggestions. Dr. Miller honors many traditions and pathways to healing, recovery, and transformation.This is a book that will help every reader--regardless of background or faith-tradition--to realize more fully and embody lovingkindness.""--Mike Little, Director of Faith and Money Network; Pastor of Bread of Life Church, Washington DC""This is NOT a book about 'being nice.'It is an in-depth, practical, and inspiring guide that explores the challenges and rewards of BEING loving and kind in our daily lives.""--Don Eaton, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and inspirational speaker ""I really appreciated this book and plan to use it with my congregation.I want to be more compassionate, forgiving, and generous, but too often fall short.This book drew me in and helped me reflect on these things that I wish for in my journey to be more compassionate.I found that I didn't just have to wish, but began choosing lovingkindness in tangible ways. Bill Miller makes lovingkindness accessible and offers us questions and reflections to help us embrace the love that is already in us. This is a book to be savored!""--Sue Joiner, Senior Minister, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Albuquerque, NMWilliam R. Miller is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and