A Call to Compassion: Bringing Buddhist Practices of the Heart into the Soul of Psychology

Aura Glaser wrote this book to remedy a deficiency she discovered while engaged in psychological research-a nearly complete omission of the importance and cultivation of compassion. Other books exploring Buddhism and psychology have focused on what the Theravada school of Buddhism--which teaches personal liberation through enlightenment--can offer psychology. A Call to Compassion works with Mahayana Buddhism, in which practitioners commit to the liberation of all sentient beings, with compassion central to attaining that goal.

In her fascinating and exceptionally clear and concise review of the work of Freud, Jung, and others, Glaser shows how psychology has been ambivalent about the subject of compassion and therefore has developed no methodology for helping individuals cultivate this essential quality in the service of helping others. Glaser introduces as a remedy the Buddhist practice of the lojong, expressed in the text of The Seven Points of Mind Training, for developing love and compassion. With modern-day life examples, she illustrates the four major points: compassion for self, compassion for others, exchanging self and others, and no self and no other--affirming that these points are indeed attainable. If we make the effort to contemplate, understand, and truly integrate these four essentials, we will have a sound basis for both psychological health and genuine transformation.

Aura Glaser has had a private practice as a psychotherapist since 1991. She holds a Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Depth Psychology, from Pacifica Graduate Institute, a M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the Center for Humanistic Studies (Detroit), and a B.A. in Women's Studies from the University of Michigan. In 1979, she traveled to India where she lived for two years. During this time she met and studied with some of Tibet's greatest living masters, and she is one of the foremost students of Tibetan Buddhist master Gehelk Rimpoche. Glaser has taught Tibetan Buddhism since 1986 and is co-founder of Jewel Heart, an international Buddhist organization. She is also creator and former owner of Crazy Wisdom Bookstore in Ann Harbor, Michigan.