Dr. David Burns, author of When Panic Attacks, and Dr. Ronald Siegel, author of The Mindfulness Solution, discuss self compassion as a balm for anxious thoughts. Dr. Howard Cutler and the Dalai Lama also discuss this concept in the book The Art of Happiness. All four provide slightly different viewpoints with some important areas of overlap, namely, that we all talk down to ourselves far too much, and with little justifiable reason.
And this is something we can change.
There are many different methods for changing thought patterns which is why I have a whole series of posts on it (a few of which are linked at the bottom of this article). But for today, let's look at mindfulness and self compassion. Of these techniques the latter is usually slightly more confrontational than the former.
Latter (Compassion): “Would you say that shit to your best friend? No? Then don't say it to yourself.”
Former (Mindfulness): “I will simply notice the words and allow them to roll off as water on a duck’s back.”
At first glance, they hardly seem related. But, trust me, they are.... continue reading