Books Related to Western Religions
 and the Understanding of Compassion
Last Updated:
September, 2007
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Title: The Conspiracy of Compassion - Breathing together for a wounded world.
Author: Martin Rown
Publisher/Date: Stealth Technologies, 1999
Book Summary:  This books starts off with a beautiful idea "there is a sacred wind that blows within us and bekons us to believe. That wind is carried in the gentle breath of others who are willing to share our pain" and further states that "we inherit the wind" through the sharing of stories and passing on this "sacred wind". There is a heavy emphasis in the book about "opening your wounds", that "the basis and motivation for compassion is ones own experiences of pain and suffering". The author says, "In my own experience in suffering, I have come to believe that the only real healing for our deepest hurt is found in healing that divine breath which is often felt in the compassion we experience from others".   There are many stories used and reference to scripture.  Points discussed include:  mystery (the cloud of unknowing), suffering, contemplation, "to be called", patience, prayer, and recreating community (mostly in reference to church).
Comments:  This is a fairly good book as a basic, and general, overview of Christian concepts related to compassion. The starting premise of a "sacred wind" and then passing that on is beautiful, but it is not woven throughout the book.  Empathy is not well explored and the assumption that we can only have compassion through our pain should be examined in the light of Christ's early life and His extraordinary compassion. Maybe it is that "sacred wind" which is the foundation of compassion and our wounds simply make us more sensitive to its presence.
Title: People who Care: An illustrated history of human compassion.
Author: Heinz Vonhoff
Publisher/Date: Fortress Press, 1960
Book Summary: The book focuses largely on "heroic" act of compassion that made a difference, a change in aspect of society (whether during the person's life or after).  There is a heavy weighting to Christians, and a marked absence of figure in Eastern cultures.  Thus the reason for the books placement in this category.  Some doctors and humanitarians are presented. For the lay reader who would like to have a quick list of Western compassion deed doers, with some very brief information, than this is a starting place.
Comments:  There is definately some bias in this book, not only toward what historical figures are presented, but what is focused upon within the brief bio attached to each.  There appears to be a importance given to the heroic aspects of compassion throughout history and to the idea of "being called", but these are not explored in any depth. Some other aspects, such as empathy, and sacredness, could have been explored. A better title might have been "A Brief Look at Compassion Heroes in Western Civilization"
Title: Not Religion but Love: Practicing a radical spirituality of compassion.
Author: Dave Andrews
Publisher/Date: The Pilgram Press, 2001
Book Summary: "We need to begin with the realization: our world is in trouble; and religion - which was meant to make things better - has often made things worse... It is my view that a readical spirituality of compassion is not merely our best hope, it is our only hope."  The author comes from the viewpoint of  Christian, but presents a very practical book about developing strong compassion.  It is a "call to action" that covers the following: defining compassion, facing suffering, selfishness, fear, spitefulness, moving from futility to possibility, strong compassion, relationships (on multiple levels), personal hope and transformation.
Comments: If I were to recommend one book on compassion to Christains it would be this book. There are many real world stories to compliment the information and it is easy to read. There is a persistant undertone of "get out church and into the streets", but once past that there is an abundance of wise information on compassion.  There are other books posted on this website which also support the need for religious people (not just Christians) to get more hands-on experience with compassion.  I have also found that as people seek to practice compassion it is a good idea to have some wisdom about the nature compassion and its ties to our perception of possibility.  This book offers some information regarding the basic assumptions of compassion, but the reader is advised to pursue the matter further. 
Title: Compassion: A call to take action
Author: Michal Ann Goll and James W. Goll
Publisher/Date: Destiny Image Publishers, 2006
Book Summary: The authors speak, from a Christian perspective, of compassion as being linked to "knowing needs" and to "be moved deep within" (p. 32) and to "listen and obey ... from your inner most being" (p. 38).  The authors state that "the only way I could every be able to enjoy complete union with Christ would be by walking in mercy and compassion at all times" (p. 39).  Their definition of compassion: "Compassion involves a sympathetic consciousness toward others" (p. 39).  The book has many stories of people demonstrating compassion and ends with a "call to compassion" (p, 157).  "Compassion should work in each of our lives as an eruption of sympathy, empathy, and mercy flowing out to others" (p. 182).  The authors also pass on the message that it is important to rest.
Comments: The word "sympathy" needs to be considered with caution when thinking about compasssion - but it can be a good starting point for beginners.  Remember it is just a starting point.  The authors seem to make the link between following The Way and living a life of compassion.  Developmental steps pointing toward Christ like compassion were not explored. The concept of "witnessing" as part of "passing it on" also was not explored.  There is a brief mention that people understand compassion differently but this was not explored.  This is a very basic book and should be complimented by other books on compassion if the person seeks to develop further.
Title: Compassionate Caring: A daily pilgramage of pain and hope
Author: Trevor Hudson
Publisher/Date: Guildford, Surrey, 1999
Book Summary:
Comments:
Comments below address the basic
assumptions of compassion -> -> -> ->
Reviewer: Dr. W. David Hoisington
Reviewer: Dr. W. David Hoisington
Reviewer:
Reviewer: Dr. W. David Hoisington
Reviewer:  Dr. W. David Hoisington
Title:
Author:
Publisher/Date:
Book Summary:  This book follows along the similar path that Dave Andrews proposes - "Take members of your congregation with you to where brothers and sisters are suffering".  The author reports on the changes that people experienced when going on such a pilgramage summarizing them into "three essential ingredients: encounter - reflection - transformation".  The book is not just about going on a "pilgramage" to a foriegn land where suffering is happening, but also about our daily pilgramage. The author makes an excellent point that we often "tourists" around those who are suffering.   He talks about developing replacing this with a "pilgram attitude" that starts with a mindful presence, and then there is attention to a divine listening while sitting with suffering. This is followed by a period of reflection and guidance, sharing the experience with "a reflective person [who] is more able to discern the Divine whisper". Finally take time to seek support and rest.  Be quite cautious about becoming the habitual caregiver who always needs to help others.  
Comments:  This book is more gentle than Dave Andrews' book and speaks more to a small congregation than the mass Christian population of the world.  But it also doesn't provide all the details that can be found in the Andrews' book. The book reads very easily and is well organized.  It also presents a nice easy 3-Step message to reflect upon when doing your daily pilgramage of compassion.   There is mention of the importance of community support for the development of compassion, and I think this is one of the books strengths as it is an underlying theme throughout. Empathy is mentioned, but not described in much detail. Other portions of the eight assumptions are not covered within this book.
Reviewer: Dr. W. David Hoisington