The Compassionate Life

Walking the Path of Kindness

By: Marc Ian Barasch

Narrated by: Steve Baker

How can compassion, a trait hardwired into our nervous system and waiting to be awakened, transform our lives and the world at large? Marc Barasch provides up-to-the-minute research to timeless spiritual truths, and weaves a stirring, unforgettable story of the search for kindness in a world that clearly needs it. With unfailing curiosity, Barasch poses vital questions: What can we learn from exceptionally empathetic people? Can we increase our compassion quotient with practice? What if the great driving force of our evolution were actually "survival of the kindest?"

He comes up with challenging, ultimately inspiring answers. With encounters as diverse as observations of compassion amongst bonobo chimpanzees, to the story of a man who forgives his daughters killer, to teenage Palestinian and Israeli girls trying to wage peace, Barasch blends hard science and popular culture with his own hip, engaging narrative style to create a smart, provocative argument that a simple shift in consciousness changes pretty much everything.

©2009 Marc Ian Barasch (P)2014 Marc Ian Barasch

So many 'Aha' moments in this one!

I have been on a journey of self-discovery for the past 10 years and had still been trying to figure out what it is I had been missing. What was causing this humdrum, muddy rut existence of mine and how to come out of it. After watching the movie, 'I AM', (I highly recommend it!), I realized that I have been missing Compassion! Compassion for myself, and especially for others. This book was mentioned in the movie and I felt compelled to seek it out. I am glad this book was on Audible, because Marc's melodious, linguistic genius was really entertaining and received better audibly than reading in my opinion. Now with a new direction, I am excited to keep learning and looking forward to reading his other books as well!

a must read masterpiece - highly recommended

intelligently and intricately woven narrative which may actually be more enjoyable as an audible book

Great!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Compassionate Life to be better than the print version?

I like both but in the audio version I enjoyed sitting back and hearing the narrator tell the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Compassionate Life?

There were many from start to finish

What about Steve Baker’s performance did you like?

The tone of his voice and the way he told the story pulled me in and allowed me to get lost in the book. This is not so with all narrators. I would love to hear some of his other work.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

How important it is to be kind.

Just plain wonderful!

If you have lost faith in humanity, you must read or listen to this book. You will regain that faith and so much more!