What is Boundless Compassion?

Compassion as a Way of Life

Compassion can become a key value and behavior in your life. As your awareness increases, you’ll want to look at your attitude towards yourself and  others and actions you can take to bring compassion to these lives. A compassionate person is non-judgmental, mindful, forgiving and non-violent, actions that can take years to fully actualize. When looking to others you may see people who are suffering or who are marginalized. In her book, Boundless Compassion, Joyce Rupp says that “harsh judgment keeps love at a distance and blocks peace.” What an opportunity we all have to bring compassion to people in need. And, God’s creation is in trouble, climate change and over consumption are detrimental to the environment. Your compassion can lead to action that will protect resources and lower your own consumption.

Core Practices

  • Compassionate Presence

    Spiritual and scientific insights affirm that each person’s compassionate presence helps relieve suffering and promote flourishing for all.

  • Self-Compassion

    Compassion is rooted in attentive care for self in body, mind, and spirit; and practices of self-kindness through all of life’s ups and downs.

  • Movement of Compassion

    Awareness. Attitude. Action.

    These three essential practices make up the movement of compassion. Awareness is grounded in open attentiveness. Attitude recognizes that we live in an interconnected world. Action flows from our agency, discrimination, and balance.

  • Four Seeds of Compassion

    Mindfulness, nonjudgment, nonviolence, and forgiveness are the four seeds from which Boundless Compassion grows.

  • Cultivating Relationships

    We join together, with hearts open to healing in the face of suffering and marginalization. Joyce Rupp affirms, “Relationships nurture compassion and help it thrive.” We can build creative connections to bridge differences and sustain compassion in the world.

  • Compassion Creation

    Compassion for Creation

    By growing in understanding, appreciation, and care for this endangered planet, we will bring about life-giving environmental change.

Suggestions for Discovering More about Boundless Compassion.

  • Participate.

    Take part in a workshop, online or in person. Typically shorter than the four-day retreat, these programs offer a good introduction or deeper look at a key aspect of compassion.

    Find a Program

  • Read.

    Read Joyce Rupp’s ‘Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life,’ individually or with a group. The book is organized with a brief reading and reflection for each day over six weeks.

    Buy the Book

  • Transform.

    The Boundless Compassion Four-Day Retreat is the transformative experience developed by Joyce Rupp. This unique opportunity invites you to deepen and expand the capacity for compassion in your life and community.

    Find a Four Day Retreat

“Boundless Compassion is unique in that it encompasses different aspects of life from compassion to self, to suffering, to the marginalized and to creation. There is not just one focus for compassion but an integration of all parts into our life and our world. The ultimate depth is living a compassionate life and being attentive and aware of what is happening and needs our compassionate understanding and love.”

— Bobbi Bussan, OSB, Executive Director of Boundless Compassion