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Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life
Named one of the Top 50 Spirituality Books of 2018 by Spirituality & Practice. Winner of a 2019 Catholic Press Association Spirituality/Soft Cover Books (First Place) and a 2019 Association of Catholic Publishers Spirituality Books (Second Place).
"Living compassionately is rarely convenient and often downright challenging," writes Joyce Rupp, bestselling and award-winning author and retreat leader. The definitive Christian guide to compassion, Boundless Compassion is the culmination of Rupp's research and work as codirector of the Servite Center of Compassionate Presence. Through this six-week personal transformation process for developing and deepening compassion, Rupp nudges, encourages, and inspires you to grow in the kind of love that motivated Jesus’ life and mission for his disciples.
With master teacher Joyce Rupp, you will learn to develop compassion as never before. You will discover compassion from science, medicine, theology, spirituality, sociology, and psychology. You will be encouraged to explore personal and professional expressions of compassion, and to re-energize your ability to offer loving kindness to those around you.
Rupp has felt the call to walk with others in their suffering since she was a young member of the Servants of Mary, whose charism is compassion. She eventually cofounded the Boundless Compassion program with Sr. Margaret Stratman, O.S.M.
Based on the format and theme of Rupp’s bestselling books like Open the Door and her popular workshops conducted by the Center of Compassionate Presence, Boundless Compassion has the power to transform your life, giving you wisdom, confidence, understanding, and inspiration to be a more caring presence. It will help you build on relational skills, learn self-care, gain wisdom for incorporating loss and suffering into your active life, and find ways to show compassion at work.
By the book's end, you will feel prepared to live with a renewed commitment to a compassionate presence for yourself and those who are in the midst of pain, struggle, and transition.
"Living compassionately is rarely convenient and often downright challenging," writes Joyce Rupp, bestselling and award-winning author and retreat leader. The definitive Christian guide to compassion, Boundless Compassion is the culmination of Rupp's research and work as codirector of the Servite Center of Compassionate Presence. Through this six-week personal transformation process for developing and deepening compassion, Rupp nudges, encourages, and inspires you to grow in the kind of love that motivated Jesus’ life and mission for his disciples.
With master teacher Joyce Rupp, you will learn to develop compassion as never before. You will discover compassion from science, medicine, theology, spirituality, sociology, and psychology. You will be encouraged to explore personal and professional expressions of compassion, and to re-energize your ability to offer loving kindness to those around you.
Rupp has felt the call to walk with others in their suffering since she was a young member of the Servants of Mary, whose charism is compassion. She eventually cofounded the Boundless Compassion program with Sr. Margaret Stratman, O.S.M.
Based on the format and theme of Rupp’s bestselling books like Open the Door and her popular workshops conducted by the Center of Compassionate Presence, Boundless Compassion has the power to transform your life, giving you wisdom, confidence, understanding, and inspiration to be a more caring presence. It will help you build on relational skills, learn self-care, gain wisdom for incorporating loss and suffering into your active life, and find ways to show compassion at work.
By the book's end, you will feel prepared to live with a renewed commitment to a compassionate presence for yourself and those who are in the midst of pain, struggle, and transition.
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2018
102 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Rupp
54 books74 followers Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, a spiritual "midwife," and retreat and conference speaker. She has led retreats throughout North America, as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Joyce has a B.A. in English, a M.R.E. in Religious Education, and a M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology. She is a member of the Servites (Servants of Mary) community and was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years. She currently resides in Des Moines, Iowa. A list of Joyce's works can be found in the left column of this page. Click on the book title to find out more information about that title.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 10, 2018
Boundless Compassion
Creating a Way of Life
by Joyce Rupp
Ave Maria Press
Sorin Books
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 02 Mar 2018
I am reviewing a copy of Boundless Compassion through Ave Maria Press and netgalley:
This book reminds us that although living compassionately is rarely convenient and is often downright challenging but as Christians we should strive to live a Compassionate life. Awareness, Attitude and Action, are three essentials compromise the movement of compassion.
The seeds of compassion are nonviolence, non judgement, forgiveness and mindfulness. We are reminded too that every scar holds a story.
We are encouraged to breathe in and out. The author points out too that compassion burnout is real and that as well as being compassionate to others we need to have self compassion!
This book reminds us that we need to respond to tragedies and to be empathetic.
I give Boundless Compassion five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Creating a Way of Life
by Joyce Rupp
Ave Maria Press
Sorin Books
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 02 Mar 2018
I am reviewing a copy of Boundless Compassion through Ave Maria Press and netgalley:
This book reminds us that although living compassionately is rarely convenient and is often downright challenging but as Christians we should strive to live a Compassionate life. Awareness, Attitude and Action, are three essentials compromise the movement of compassion.
The seeds of compassion are nonviolence, non judgement, forgiveness and mindfulness. We are reminded too that every scar holds a story.
We are encouraged to breathe in and out. The author points out too that compassion burnout is real and that as well as being compassionate to others we need to have self compassion!
This book reminds us that we need to respond to tragedies and to be empathetic.
I give Boundless Compassion five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
November 14, 2017
Compassion is certainly something the World needs as does each one of us I guess, is this book of devotions or even mediation over six weeks takes its readers on a journey not just to have compassion for others but ourselves also. There are six daily readings followed on the seventh day a round up and relaxation time. Each day starts with a quote then some real life examples of a different aspect of compassion, followed by a reflection, a prayer and a scripture for the day to bring mind that the teaching is always focused on a closer walk with GOD. It is in his compassion that we have life and all we have and is yet to come, when I look at the outpouring from Him then this book helps focus on my part all be it a small part but it is still a part. Joyce book provides a pathway to compassion which leads to a inner peace and a better focus on life which is what I found personally. I have been given a free copy from NetGalley in return for a honest review.
August 8, 2018
Take your time. I read this book straight through, sometimes reading two or three days at a time. I will reread - Maybe next lent? - and read one day at a time for 6 weeks. Very spiritual. Joyce Rupp is a favorite.
February 2, 2018
Boundless Compassion by Joyce Rupp is nothing short of phenomenal. It is a book that speaks to our heart about the human condition. If you think you are short on compassion for your fellow man you need to read this book. It you think you are a compassionate person, you need to read this book. Joyce Rupp not only speaks to us about the necessity for compassion for our fellow man, ourselves and the world at large, but explains in detail those things that may keep us from having a compassionate heart. Every session shares some significant insight that speaks to the core of what makes us human and the impact we can make in one another's life, if only empathy, understanding and tenderness can replace judgement, indifference and apathy.
The beauty of this book is its simplicity. It is a six week journey in which the author takes 20 minutes or so of your day to talk with you about the benefit of compassion for ourselves and our fellow human beings. Boundless Compassion can be used for group study or individual study. The words of this book enter your heart and allows you to contemplate where your heart stands in relationship to others. It helps you become aware of your attitude to those who are suffering physically, spiritually or emotionally and what we can do to alleviate or soften the suffering or burdens of others. Each week addresses a new topic in regards to compassion, what we can do to change our lives and the lives of others and how to be the softness in a world that can be hard and dark. Joyce Rupp provides a daily reading and finishes with a reflection and a short prayer that helps you digest what you have read and encourages you to put into practise what you have learned and contemplated. You cannot read this book without examining your own heart and where it stands on helping those who are suffering.
I loved the honestly of this book when it came to dealing with others and even ourselves. There was not one reading in this book that didn’t speak to me in some way. It caused me to examine my attitudes and action in regards to others in my life both past and present. If I am being honest and you are being honest we have to admit we all know someone who has suffered or is suffering in some way right now. It begs the question “Is there anything we can do?” It doesn't necessarily mean we are to control the situation or become an enabler to the suffering party, we just have to empathize with their situation and be a listening ear or the caring hands that help. Taking time our of our day to listen, to pray, provide a meal or be the strength for someone who has nothing left to give can be ways that help alleviate emotional or physical burdens for another. As St. Therese the Little Flower once explained it can be doing the littlest thing with the greatest of love.
Boundless Compassion is a book everyone should read. What a wonderful world we would live in if we could live by the principles in this book. Caring for another and wanting to ease their suffering is not just a physical act, it’s an emotional act, one that starts in the heart and moves outward towards the one who is suffering. It lets them know they are not alone in their pain. So often we start the year with self improvement books, well I say let’s start here with Boundless Compassion. Let's read something that will make a difference not only in our lives, but in the lives of others. It all starts with the man or woman in the mirror.
I want to thank Ava Maria Press via NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Boundless Compassion by Joyce Rupp for a fair and honest review.
The beauty of this book is its simplicity. It is a six week journey in which the author takes 20 minutes or so of your day to talk with you about the benefit of compassion for ourselves and our fellow human beings. Boundless Compassion can be used for group study or individual study. The words of this book enter your heart and allows you to contemplate where your heart stands in relationship to others. It helps you become aware of your attitude to those who are suffering physically, spiritually or emotionally and what we can do to alleviate or soften the suffering or burdens of others. Each week addresses a new topic in regards to compassion, what we can do to change our lives and the lives of others and how to be the softness in a world that can be hard and dark. Joyce Rupp provides a daily reading and finishes with a reflection and a short prayer that helps you digest what you have read and encourages you to put into practise what you have learned and contemplated. You cannot read this book without examining your own heart and where it stands on helping those who are suffering.
I loved the honestly of this book when it came to dealing with others and even ourselves. There was not one reading in this book that didn’t speak to me in some way. It caused me to examine my attitudes and action in regards to others in my life both past and present. If I am being honest and you are being honest we have to admit we all know someone who has suffered or is suffering in some way right now. It begs the question “Is there anything we can do?” It doesn't necessarily mean we are to control the situation or become an enabler to the suffering party, we just have to empathize with their situation and be a listening ear or the caring hands that help. Taking time our of our day to listen, to pray, provide a meal or be the strength for someone who has nothing left to give can be ways that help alleviate emotional or physical burdens for another. As St. Therese the Little Flower once explained it can be doing the littlest thing with the greatest of love.
Boundless Compassion is a book everyone should read. What a wonderful world we would live in if we could live by the principles in this book. Caring for another and wanting to ease their suffering is not just a physical act, it’s an emotional act, one that starts in the heart and moves outward towards the one who is suffering. It lets them know they are not alone in their pain. So often we start the year with self improvement books, well I say let’s start here with Boundless Compassion. Let's read something that will make a difference not only in our lives, but in the lives of others. It all starts with the man or woman in the mirror.
I want to thank Ava Maria Press via NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Boundless Compassion by Joyce Rupp for a fair and honest review.
April 11, 2018
Boundless Compassion by Joyce Rupp is a soul-satisfying read in that the author addresses themes that I've vaguely felt but not been able to express. (Having read many of her other books, I would say that is one of her salient talents.)
I was not able to keep up with her daily reading format because sometimes I needed longer than a day to process what she said. As she notes, being an empathetic person has its shadow sides--for example, a desire to manage or fix rather than simply to extend the love of God through our human hands and voices. Sometimes I liked the exercises at the end of each week, and sometimes I simply wanted to read on for more of Joyce's wisdom.
As she frequently does, she enriches her own writing with excerpts from other great writers from various spiritual traditions. I find that her books and those of Richard Rohr strike the same chords in me.
I was not able to keep up with her daily reading format because sometimes I needed longer than a day to process what she said. As she notes, being an empathetic person has its shadow sides--for example, a desire to manage or fix rather than simply to extend the love of God through our human hands and voices. Sometimes I liked the exercises at the end of each week, and sometimes I simply wanted to read on for more of Joyce's wisdom.
As she frequently does, she enriches her own writing with excerpts from other great writers from various spiritual traditions. I find that her books and those of Richard Rohr strike the same chords in me.
June 25, 2020
Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life is six-week devotional series written by one of my favorite Christian authors, Joyce Rupp. As the title suggests, these devotions explore various aspects of living a more compassionate life. I liked the daily devotion format: an essay, a question for reflection, a prayer, and a Bible verse. Later this year, I am hoping to delve deeper at a Boundless Compassion retreat.
January 11, 2020
Read this for our book club and it led to so many great discussions. Joyce Rupp provides many thought provoking points as she leads the reader through six weeks of learning to be more compassionate. Covering a multitude of life situations, the reader is provided with insight, questions, prayers, reflection topics and scripture to hold for each week. I would highly recommend.
January 24, 2021
Lots of good inspiration. I read it with a group, so not daily as it is set up. Discussing it with other people was definitely good. There were some great quotes in it from other writers, also. It would be something you could go back and read at another time and still get more out of it.
September 11, 2022
This is a book of hope as well as compassion. You can’t read this book and not be motivated to show compassion in all aspects of your life. This is a call to action, a reflection on the value of being compassionate in all our words and deeds, each and every day.
February 12, 2024
This is a good daily reading/devotional book that opened my eyes to different ways of expressing compassion toward others and toward my world. I would recommend as a book to help guide daily practices.
November 20, 2025
It truly was a lesson in being kind, forgiving using mindfulness to the fullest. Could only read in increments because it felt like she was describing the idea
And not the real in our current society.
And not the real in our current society.
June 7, 2020
Thought provoking and supportive in this divisive time. Plainly worded guidance to stay centered and generous with our caring
January 23, 2022
I want to redo this in a study. It was very good
May 19, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
March 26, 2025
Excellent thoughts on compassion in a very broad sense and application. It will make a good study guide for a discussion group.
August 11, 2025
Done as a book group in six sections. Alone the book was very basic with good further reading references. The value of the book was the group sharing of experiences based on subject of the book.
November 27, 2024
Lovely book about compassion, forgiveness, and love.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews