Compassionate Presence: A Radical Response to Human Suffering

by Rolf R. Nolasco Jr., R Vincent MacDonald, Andrew Dreitcer (Foreword)

Compassion plays a central role in the teachings of all world religions. Christianity in particular demonstrates its vitality through compassionate engagement with those suffering with Christ serving as a paradigm and source of motive power. These concrete acts of mercy and solidarity disclose God's intimate regard for the welfare of humanity. The purpose of this book is to affirm compassion as the pulsating heartbeat of Christian theology and praxis through the hermeneutical perspectives of brain science, psychology, and practical theology. More importantly, it offers readers specific compassion cultivation practices that will nurture the trait of compassion as a way of incarnating God's compassionate presence and response to a world marked with suffering of all kinds.

136 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2016

Reviews

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is that we can cultivate a physiological foundation for compassion through meditation and other practices that will "rewire" our brains for compassion. There is some interesting science discussed throughout the first part of the book. The last part leads readers through meditation exercises designed to build a compassionate brain. The book is biblically centered; however, some meditation practices were too mystically oriented for my comfort.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book that tries to teach us how to appropriate the compassion of God for other people and ourselves. This is not just theorical but practical as it contains meditation training. This is a way to change those thought and feelings that get in our way when it come to dealing with difficult people, including ourselves.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very weak argument. Uses Scripture out of context. Has some good exercises for mindfulness & meditation, but just wasn’t a good book.