The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice

by Rami M. Shapiro

We are all born in the image of God, but living out the likeness of God is a choice. This inspiring, practical guidebook provides you with the tools you need to realize the divinity within yourself, recognize the divinity within others, and act on the obligation to manifest God's infinite compassion in your own life.

Guided by Rabbi Rami Shapiro, you will explore Judaism's Thirteen Attributes of Lovingkindness as the framework for cultivating a life of goodness. Shapiro translates these attributes into practices--drawn from the teachings of a variety of faith traditions--that allow you to actualize God's glory through personal deeds of lovingkindness. You will enrich your own capacity for lovingkindness as you:
* Harvest kindness through compassionate honesty
* Make room in your heart for reality
* Recognize the manifestations of God
* Embrace the paradoxical truth of not-knowing
* Be present in the moment
* Do right by others

With candor, with and honesty, Shapiro shows you that by choosing to act out of love rather than fear, with kindness rather than anger, you can transform how you perceive the world and ultimately lead a more complete spiritual life.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Judaism, Jewish, Religion, Faith

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Rami Shapiro is one of the most innovative rabbis of the last thirty years. An award-winning author of two dozen books on religion and spirituality, he received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a PhD from Union Graduate School. A congregational rabbi for twenty years, for the last fifteen he has been writing, leading retreats, co-directing One River Wisdom School, blogging at rabbirami.com, and writing a regular column for Spirituality and Health magazine called "Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler."

Reviews

[Steve Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Shapiro is a Rabbi and I just personally cannot accept the idea of a supreme being, particularly the idea of some operating intelligence which displays human traits of any kind the good rabbi does touch on things with which I have become familiar to me, things which are not of self and which do offer me some guidance in living my life. In fact some of his observations are helpful in forming my own thoughts around matters spiritual which have become so importnat to me in recent years. Inportantly he has shown me that my feeling that these "things" of which I speak are common features of the human experience. People have felt these "things"; have experienced this "dimension"; have seen the universiality of all things and have bathed in the "light of the spirit" and regardless of their religious tradition these experiences are consistent across the board. It's just the terminology that differs.

This of course is not to ignore the efforts of the ignorant, the arrogant, the meglomaniac and the manipulative of all religious traditions to abrogate this very personal experience unto themselves as dispensers, arbiters and judges of authenticity. Unfortunately for a huge block of squabbling humanity Judaism, Islam and Christianity seem most egregious in this effort. One can only hope that the newly emerging trend towards "spirituality" will not foramilise itself into a movement with a new lot of gurus just taking over where the old lot left off. I'm not sure that Shapiro isn't one of these people.

If however, a person looks at this book as a useful adjunct in exploring the unfolding of one's personal spiritual realisation and the part that loving kindness and compassion have to play in this Shapiro's book is a valuable piece of reading. I certainly learned a bit about Judaism I didn't know. Pity some Isralis are not so open to the same lessons.

[bumblethunderbeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this over a four month period. It is packed with stories and concrete directions/steps from a wide variety of traditions. It has everything from metta practice and Nama-japa to zakah and Maimonmides...wisdom from many traditions (Bhuddism, Hinduism, Zen, Islam, Judaism and Christianity) are all accessed to provide frames for thinking about and steps for living out of loving kindness. A beautiful and rich book worth reading, one that I will be returning to in the years to come.

[Bonnie Buckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential guide to finding the quiet moments of stillness inside, and the utter joy of walking this planet. It’s practical, funny, deep, and so-very human. Rabbi Shapiro pulls from Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist teachings, peppering the book with anecdotes of his own stumblings through life that often made me giggle, and always made me grateful that we’re all in the same wobbly boat of doing our best, and that we have teachings to help guide that boat.

[Margaret Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbi Rami Shapiro draws on Jewish wisdom, interfaith traditions including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam to make the point that we need to practice lovingkindness. Using the 13 Attributes as a framework, this book is a combination of teaching and practical suggestions of ways to act with more lovingkindness. A companion volume to his other book, Amazing Chesed, this book will stretch some Jewish readers. However, this is much to think over, ponder and wrestle with. I wonder whether it can be used in an adult study setting. I had hoped since our study topic for the year is Chesed. But I am not sure. Nonetheless, it is worth the read for serious students of Judaism, spiritual seekers of many religions, students of Mussar, and for those in 12 Step Recovery programs. It will help improve all of us.

[Kaouthar Bencheikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book no exaggeration !

[Etienne Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like sugarfree candy for the Soul!

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Rami Shapiro's book because of its insight into the way to become a more loving person. The most interesting part of it to me was how many different steps that included various techniques were involved in the process. Things like physically practicing things to say, meditation, visualizing, and new perspective on ways of thinking all added up to show a step by step "art" of being more kind. After reading the book, though I didnt find it to be life-changing or really motivate me to improve myself, it left me with a lot to process and intriguing trains of thought relating to certain ideas from the book. I also liked the way it was structured with each step presented as a new chapter with sub-categories within each chapter. It made it seem more like a step by step process and kept it broken up so that it didnt seem redundant.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a really great look at kindness and things you can practically do to be intentional and make it a habit. Rabbi Rami is Jewish (& Buddhist) but draws from a wide range of traditions. A lot of food for thought here and I'll be reading this a few more times.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

More wisdom from Rami Shapiro on practicing lovingkindness. Rabbi Rami grounds the text in his own Jewish teaching tradition, and also reaches out to the wisdom of many world religions.

Accessible and focused on practices.

[Reid Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be on the shelf by my bed for a long time to come. So beautifully written and thoughtfully presented... in a way that one can apply directly to their daily life - especially on those bad days - it helps me mentally regroup.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is full of wisdom. Rabbi Shapiro draws from all faiths to illustrate how to embody the 13 Attributes. Many times I was touched, rereading passages. I found a lot of comfort in this book and I'm sure will continue to.

[Donna Fasano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbi Rami Shapiro is a true Spiritual Master. This is a wonderful book filled with excellent advice.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very calming book.