The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice

by Rabbi Rami Shapiro

Woodstock, Vt: Skylight Paths, 2006.
154 pages, US$ 16.99

Reviewed by Karen L. Erlichman

The practice of loving kindness, often called compassion and mercy, is taught and revered in nearly every religion and spiritual tradition. In his new book, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice, Rabbi Rami Shapiro uses the Jewish teaching of the Thirteen Attributes of Divine Compassion as a framework for reflection and practice on this rich and wonderful topic. Rabbi Rami is a prolific writer whose humor, wit and global perspective on the Divine are woven throughout the book. At times he uses self-disclosure to illustrate some of the concepts, and to create an accessible, non-hierarchical model of the teacher and student relationship.

Although the writing is somewhat uneven in sections, there are a few aspects of this book which are exceptionally fertile resources for readers who are both new to and familiar with compassion practice. For instance, every chapter includes at least one (and in some cases, more) suggested practice for prayer and meditation, and at the end of the book there is a helpful index of these prayers and practices.

The introduction opens with Rabbi Rami’s acknowledgement of his human limitations and humility regarding the practice of lovingkindness, as well as a strong message about its universal, interfaith relevance and resonance. He includes a brief and simple description of the section of the book of Exodus from which the Thirteen Attributes of Lovingkindness are derived, and upon which this book is based. Topics explored in relationship to lovingkindness include equanimity, grace, cultivating creativity, Sabbath, forgiveness and working with obstacles to lovingkindness.

Although this book is written primarily from the Jewish perspective, Rabbi Rami includes teachings and resources from a variety of cultures and faith traditions, which will appeal to a broader readership. Spiritual directors will find this book to be a valuable resource for their own faith journeys and in exploring the topic of compassion and mercy with directees.

Karen Lee Erlichman, MSS, is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW ) in private practice in San Francisco, California, USA, where she provides psychotherapy and spiritual direction. Karen also serves as the Bay area program coordinator for Jewish Mosaic: the National Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity. Her writing has appeared in Tikkun, and her article entitled “Cultivating Compassion” was recently chosen as one of the winners of the 2005 International House Vision of Hope Essay Contest, addressing prejudice and stereotyping in the wake of 9/11/01. She can be reached at karenerl@sbcglobal.net.