Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions

Germer (clinical psychology, Harvard U.) offers readers the same kind of advice he offers patients in his clinical practice, informed by the particular form of Buddhist meditation he practices. Self-compassion is the key to getting along with manifest creation, he says, and he explains how to discover it, practice it, and customize it to particular lifestyles. Among his topics are listening to the body, bringing in difficult emotions, caring for ourselves and others, finding the balance, and making progress. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
The psychological benefits of mindfulness are well established. Yet for people who struggle with difficult emotions like anxiety, guilt, anger, loneliness, sadness, or low self-esteem, mindfulness practices can be enhanced by adding a simple yet powerful ingredient: self-compassion. Without it, we all too often respond to emotional suffering with self-criticism, shame, or defensiveness—tough-to-break habits that only make suffering worse. This wise, eloquent, and practical book illuminates the nature of self-compassion and offers easy-to-follow, scientifically grounded steps for incorporating it into daily life. Practical examples and innovative exercises and techniques make this an ideal resource for readers who are new to mindfulness or want to bring an important new dimension to their meditation practice.