The Rhythm of Compassion addresses one of the central spiritual questions of our time: Can we heal ourselves and society simultaneously? The core premise of this book is that the health of the human psyche and the health of the world are inextricably related, and we cannot truly heal one without healing the other. The book is written to help you balance soul and society, offering a seamless set of values that unites the inner and the outer. You will learn how to integrate your rhythm so that your inner self-care helps you serve the world, and your caring for the world contributes to your soul. This book is for anyone who wants to develop greater compassion: including parents, teachers, business people, social workers, healers, or activists.

Specifically you will learn:

• To answer the ever-present questions: Am I doing enough? How do I find the time to make a contribution to the world?
• To deal with overwhelm, burn out, and compassion fatigue.
• To recognize if you’re lost in the mire of your own wounds.
• The qualities of mature compassion that allow you to balance self-care and contribution.
• To keep your heart open in the face of great suffering–your own, society’s, and the earth’s.
• To be radically present to suffering rather than trying to fix it.
• To serve from effortless generosity rather than moral obligation or shoulds.
• To transform service and stewardship into spiritual practice.

Providing real answers, inspiration, and practical exercises this is a book for those who long to make a difference in the world and search for a way to balance self-care with service to the world. Each chapter contains simple exercises on getting to the root of healing, developing compassion, and putting passion into action–to heal ourselves, others, and the very planet we live on.

Preface

Part One: The In-Breath

Part Two: The Out-Breath

Part Three: Inner and Outer Unite as One