Why Self-Compassion Trumps Self-Esteem In this incredibly competitive society of ours, how many of us truly feel good about ourselves? I remember once, as a freshman in college, after spending hours getting ready for a big party, I complained to my boyfriend that my hair, makeup, and outfit were woefully inadequate. He tried to reassure me by saying, “Don’t worry, you look fine.” Juan Estey “Fine? The desire to feel special is understandable. Not very well. How can we grow if we can’t acknowledge our own weaknesses? Continually feeding our need for positive self-evaluation is a bit like stuffing ourselves with candy. The result is often devastating. And of course, the goalposts for what counts as “good enough” seem always to remain out of reach. Another way So what’s the answer? When I first came across the idea of “self-compassion,” it changed my life almost immediately. I remember talking to my new fiancé, Rupert, who joined me for the weekly Buddhist group meetings, and shaking my head in amazement. An island of calm
Kristin Neff, Ph Kristin Neff, Ph. D. Associate Professor Educational Psychology Dept. University of Texas at Austin 1 University Station, D5800 Austin, TX 78712 e-mail: kristin.neff@mail.utexas.edu Download Curriculum Vita Spring 2013 Self-Compassion Publications Publications by Kristin Neff and colleagues (in chronological order) Germer, C. Link Neff, K. link Neff, K. Link Neff, K. Link Neff, K. Link Neff, K., & Tirch, D. (2013). Link Neff, K. LInk Yarnell, L. Link Neff, K. Link Raes, F., Pommier, E., Neff,K. Link Neff, K. (2010). Link Neff, K. Neff, K. Neff, K. Neff, K. Link Neff, K. Neff, K. Neff, K. Neff, K. Neff, K. Neff, K. Neff, K. Neff, K. link Neff, K. Link Studies by other researchers with a major focus on self-compassion (in alphabetical order) Adams, C. Akın, A. (2008). Akin, A. (2009). Allen, A. Link Allen, A., & Leary, M. Link Allen, A., & Leary, M. Baer, R. llnk Baker, L. Link Barnard, L. Link Barnard, L. Link Baer, R. Link Beaumont, E, Galpin, A. & Jenkins, P. (2012). Bergen-Cico, D., & Cheon, S. (2013). Link Link Link
Om Mani Padme Hum: The Meaning of the Mantra in Tibetan Buddhism Glimpsing a Few More Facets of the Mantra There are many ways to understand the meaning of the mantra. Here are a few of them: The Transformation of Speech [An excerpt from The Dharma, by Kalu Rinpoche, from a chapter on The Four Dharmas of Gampopa. ] "The second aspect of transformation [of confusion into wisdom] concerns our speech. Mere words, which have no ultimate reality, can determine our happiness and suffering. In the Vajrayana context, we recite and meditate on mantra, which is enlightened sound, the speech of the [Bhodisattva of Compassion], the union of Sound and Emptiness. At first, the Union of Sound and Emptiness is simply an intellectual concept of what our meditation should be. One of the disciples was very diligent, though his realization was perhaps not so profound. When the two disciples went to their lama to indicate they had finished the practice, he said, 'Oh, you've both done excellently. The Powers of the Six Syllables "Behold! H.H. top of page
The Doctrine is Compassion -- The Dalai Lama We can reject everything else: religion, ideology, all received wisdom. But we cannot escape the necessity of love and compassion.... This, then, is my true religion, my simple faith. In this sense, there is no need for temple or church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine or dogma. Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. ~ Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama ~ (Remembering the people of Tibet and the victims of Tiananmen Square on the opening of the Beijing Olympics ) (left button to play, right button to save)
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