In this episode of Global Spirit, host Phil Cousineau talks with comparative religion scholar Karen Armstrong and professor of Buddhist studies Robert Thurman about their personal spiritual journeys and their understandings of Christianity and Buddhism. Both guests share their responses to monastic life and the importance of study as the linchpin practice that enriches their lives. Armstrong says her spiritual teachers have been books whereas Thurman has picked up great insights from Tibetan Buddhist teachers. She has had no luck with mediation whereas he sees its value. They both have little respect for faith that is based on intellectual assent to dogma or ideas; they are much more impressed with walking your talk or putting faith into practice in daily life. Armstrong and Thurman agree that compassion is needed in our post-modern world as a means of helping people live together in harmony.

To Continue This Journey:

• See our profile of Karen Armstrong that includes reviews of her books, quotations from her writings, listings of videos, interviews, and other resources at S&P's Living Spiritual Teachers Project.

• See our profile of Robert Thurman that includes reviews of his books, quotations from his writing, lists of videos, interviews, and other resources at S&P's Living Spiritual Teachers Project.

• Read more about Karen Armstrong's Charter of Compassion Project.

• Ponder the main events in your spiritual journey. Think about what spiritual teachers have been most important to you. What ways have you found to practice in your family setting or in what the Hindus have called the household? Try to incarnate compassion for the rest of this week.