THE COMPASSIONATE INSTINCT, by Dacher Keltner et al.

It's a narrow passageway out of habitual distrust, competition, and resentments.  The book THE COMPASSIONATE INSTINCT is a collection of essays from GREATER GOOD magazine. 

Published just this year it provides research, field case studies, and anecdotal evidence that the center can, despite what W.B. Yeats contended, hold.  Take forgiveness.  According to the author Fred Luskin of the essay "The Choice To Forgive," we can be liberated from the past if we change how we feel in the present.  That usually means not allowing the past to undo us emotionally.  What that can do, explains Luskin, is "free up mental space she we can uncover other ways to meet our needs."  

This sounds a lot like the 12 steps and eastern philosophy but it's framed with a different tone and examples.   It's that difference which got my attention.  For those of us finding most of our spiritual tools not working these days as well as they once did, this book could be great beach reading.