The Dalai Lamas message in this book is as renowned as he is himself: that compassion is essential for individuals & for the world. This is very much his subject for when we think of His Holiness we immediately think of the compassion he embodies & to which he has devoted his entire life. He suggests we pay close attention to the way we respond to everyone & to everything around us & explains how caring for others can be a profound source of happiness on an individual level which can then be extended outward in wider & wider circles. From here he goes on to describe basic mistakes (such as hatred towards others) that lead us into personal turmoil & interpersonal disruption. Then he asks us to examine the nature of consciousness so we understand how the transformation of our attitude is possible. Finally in typically practical fashion he suggests how we can implement compassion in our daily lives & go on to live with greater care & concern for all beings.