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Boundless Heart: The Buddha's Path of Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity
An esteemed Insight Meditation teacher leads you through the sublime qualities of Buddhism—kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity—and how they can enrich your life
Compassion, kindness, equanimity, and joy are not only the fruits of the awakened life but also the path to it—attitudes of mind that can be cultivated through intention and dedication. Also known as the brahma viharas (sublime abodes) and the “Four Immeasurables,” these enobling qualities are far more than simply the “feel-good” states they are often mistaken for. They must be pursued sincerely as a spiritual practice—not just as a means of getting a “spiritual high”—in order to experience the full extent of their power.
In Boundless Heart , Christina Feldman presents teachings on the Four Immeasurables, exploring how they balance each other in a way that enhances them all. Her simple practices will lead you toward a life infused with kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity—and to a way of being that promotes those qualities to the world at large.
Compassion, kindness, equanimity, and joy are not only the fruits of the awakened life but also the path to it—attitudes of mind that can be cultivated through intention and dedication. Also known as the brahma viharas (sublime abodes) and the “Four Immeasurables,” these enobling qualities are far more than simply the “feel-good” states they are often mistaken for. They must be pursued sincerely as a spiritual practice—not just as a means of getting a “spiritual high”—in order to experience the full extent of their power.
In Boundless Heart , Christina Feldman presents teachings on the Four Immeasurables, exploring how they balance each other in a way that enhances them all. Her simple practices will lead you toward a life infused with kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity—and to a way of being that promotes those qualities to the world at large.
160 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2017
139 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 1, 2018
3.75-4
This book is both sublime and boring. Feldman does an adequate job explaining the brahma viharas: i.e. loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Yet, she gives very few examples and often her chapters seem somewhat ranty. The practice sections discussing how to develop each brahma vihara are actually quite good. And, while it is very tempting to get frustrated at Feldman's writing style, there are several moments in the text where her explanations cut directly to the insight in a most sublime way. It's an uneven book, but I'm very happy that I read it and am inspired to continue exploring the brahma viharas myself.
This book is both sublime and boring. Feldman does an adequate job explaining the brahma viharas: i.e. loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Yet, she gives very few examples and often her chapters seem somewhat ranty. The practice sections discussing how to develop each brahma vihara are actually quite good. And, while it is very tempting to get frustrated at Feldman's writing style, there are several moments in the text where her explanations cut directly to the insight in a most sublime way. It's an uneven book, but I'm very happy that I read it and am inspired to continue exploring the brahma viharas myself.
July 6, 2025
If you're a meditator and you find yourself too often thinking that you don't have time to sit, read a few pages of this book to renew your intention.
April 16, 2017
Goodreads winner.
You don't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the teachings on Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity ,all qualities everyone should seek.
The book is broken down into 4 segments one on each of the 4 qualities. The author/teacher explains the meaning of the quality and how to develop it. Each segment also has instructions on meditation practices to cultivate that particular quality.
You don't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the teachings on Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity ,all qualities everyone should seek.
The book is broken down into 4 segments one on each of the 4 qualities. The author/teacher explains the meaning of the quality and how to develop it. Each segment also has instructions on meditation practices to cultivate that particular quality.
April 14, 2018
Great fuel for my mindfulness practice, with a focus on lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Really dense, so best read with a group/class. For those with at least some background in mindfulness.
May 8, 2018
I did not finish this book. It did not keep my interest at all.
Read
December 10, 2023Holds the record for most times I've ever seen the word "gladden" appear in a book
March 10, 2017
Ancient tools to collaborate and impact more positively on ourselves and the world!
This book contains deep teachings that invite us to incorporate the practices of the Sublime Abodes into our daily lives, so that we nurture a liberated heart more kind, happy, compassionate and impartial. Christina Feldman with great clarity and mastery provides us with tools to deepen our experience of a more revealing meditation, a more enriched life as we become more aware of the interconnection we have with other beings. So that we feel better about ourselves, more satisfied, full and strong as we act in an appropriate and correct way.
We enjoy life more when we free our hearts, we are more aware and responsible for our interaction with others, that is, when we develop empathic joy and we desire the happiness of others, we have a more sensitive and active response to suffering of all beings, we are more insightful and lucidly look at our relationships. It allows us to pluck out the evil, hatred, anger and confusion of our minds, and therefore we feel more focused, clear, energized and enjoy life. These teachings are a gift that we all deserve to exercise, are a more natural way of being and resonate with our true essence. Likewise, committing to these practices offers a wonderful solution to stop exploitation and harm to others, to collaborate and impact more positively on ourselves, our loved ones and the world.
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book
This book contains deep teachings that invite us to incorporate the practices of the Sublime Abodes into our daily lives, so that we nurture a liberated heart more kind, happy, compassionate and impartial. Christina Feldman with great clarity and mastery provides us with tools to deepen our experience of a more revealing meditation, a more enriched life as we become more aware of the interconnection we have with other beings. So that we feel better about ourselves, more satisfied, full and strong as we act in an appropriate and correct way.
We enjoy life more when we free our hearts, we are more aware and responsible for our interaction with others, that is, when we develop empathic joy and we desire the happiness of others, we have a more sensitive and active response to suffering of all beings, we are more insightful and lucidly look at our relationships. It allows us to pluck out the evil, hatred, anger and confusion of our minds, and therefore we feel more focused, clear, energized and enjoy life. These teachings are a gift that we all deserve to exercise, are a more natural way of being and resonate with our true essence. Likewise, committing to these practices offers a wonderful solution to stop exploitation and harm to others, to collaborate and impact more positively on ourselves, our loved ones and the world.
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book
November 6, 2018
Easily the best and most influential book I've read in the last five or ten years. It has helped me grow in many positive ways this summer. Highly recommend
December 29, 2025
I'm a yoga teacher and psychologist who enjoys reading Buddhist concepts and philosophy. I've always felt particularly drawn to the brahma viharas (divine abodes), also known as the Four Immeasurables, or four qualities of love. Author Christina Feldman really deepens the reader's understanding of what it means for kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity to "reside the heart." Through narrative, examples, and practices, she fully expands on these concepts in an easily understandable, relatable manner. Still, to fully digest wisdom and incorporate it into my life, I expect to return to this book again and again.
October 9, 2020
This is definitely a good book with a really sound introducuction to Buddhist teachings, and a really good reminder about the importance of compassion et cetera.
I didn’t find it the most enthralling and engaging read, I’m mostly kept at it because the content is so integral to the practice of Buddhism… But at times my attention waned. Probably best for those who want to deepen their practice of these areas, and have some ideas on how to keep them alive in daily life. Some of the examples were a little clunky, but generally a good read.
I didn’t find it the most enthralling and engaging read, I’m mostly kept at it because the content is so integral to the practice of Buddhism… But at times my attention waned. Probably best for those who want to deepen their practice of these areas, and have some ideas on how to keep them alive in daily life. Some of the examples were a little clunky, but generally a good read.
March 12, 2021
In 2002/3 I went on a retreat over Xmas and New Year, and it was the most revolutionary thing that happened to me. The retreat was on the Brahma Viharas and I've been seeking a book on the subject for 18 years, and I finally found one. I loved this book! I love the Brahma Viharas. The near and far enemy of compassion! Who couldn't love that?! If anyone knows another book on the Brahma Viharas let me know, please.
April 15, 2018
The book is mainly talking about using Kindless, Compassion, Joy, Equanimity to free yourself from anxiety.
In those four chapters, the author told us to practice, the way is telling yourself be kind, compassion, joy, equanimity all the time.
Freedom roots in integrity.
Self is a verb instead of noun, self is changing.
In those four chapters, the author told us to practice, the way is telling yourself be kind, compassion, joy, equanimity all the time.
Freedom roots in integrity.
Self is a verb instead of noun, self is changing.
April 13, 2020
Grad school read. I appreciate Feldman's message but there was a little too much trembling of the heart for me. I'm a stone cold Zen guy. In the words of Bukowski, there's a bluebird in my heart but I'm too tough for him...
November 14, 2024
Friends and family will recognise this one as possessing the touch of a Susan Hargreaves Birthday Gift. No complaints from me, it had that classic Buddhist sensibility that I am prone to enjoying (text has a density to it that feels psychedelic by the end)
November 18, 2018
Modern Buddhism. Thanks, Paul!
July 31, 2021
There were a lot of great lines that I highlighted but also a lot of repetition.
October 19, 2021
Read with my meditation book club
Read
January 14, 2023Read this incredibly marvelous book. The author writes beautifully with prose that will inspire kindness, compassion, and equanimity. This book is HIGHLY recommended.
April 13, 2023
I enjoyed the content, but her writing felt disorganized without varied sentence structure.
April 24, 2024
This one of the most helpful dharma books I have ever read. Feldman covers the brahma Viharas and in a beautiful and accessible way. May you be happy. May you live with kindness and ease.
July 16, 2022
I will return to this book again and again, as I have learned my practice is one of remembering and forgetting. You can open to any page and find a pearl of wisdom to help you be with that moment with more ease and kindness.
July 2022-just finished my second reading of this book. Cannot recommend it enough!
July 2022-just finished my second reading of this book. Cannot recommend it enough!
May 14, 2024
Very Poetic as Well as a great Way to learn the Bramaviharas!
Wow I really enjoyed this book. I found it deeply philosophical but not inaccessibly so.
Was assigned in a class on Buddhism and Neuroscience. Thanks for this teaching!
Wow I really enjoyed this book. I found it deeply philosophical but not inaccessibly so.
Was assigned in a class on Buddhism and Neuroscience. Thanks for this teaching!
August 4, 2023
Good dharma. A beautifully written little book on the 4 great abodes by a fine teacher.
If you're inclined toward metta practice, read this.
If you're not, read it and you may be.
If you're inclined toward metta practice, read this.
If you're not, read it and you may be.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews