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290th out of 409 books
—
464 voters
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions
by
Christopher K. Germer,
Sharon Salzberg (Goodreads Author)
“Buck up.” “Stop feeling sorry for yourself.” “Don’t ruin everything.” When you are anxious, sad, angry, or lonely, do you hear this self-critical voice? What would happen if, instead of fighting difficult emotions, we accepted them? Over his decades of experience as a therapist and mindfulness meditation practitioner, Dr. Christopher Germer has learned a paradoxical lesso...more
Paperback, 306 pages
Published
April 29th 2009
by The Guilford Press
(first published 2009)
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This is a wonderful book. I will try to explain why. There are many books on mindfulness out there, and plenty more on "loving-kindness" (the "compassion" of this title). I've read or at least skimmed quite a few. Too often, I would find it hard to connect with what I was reading or even feel that I could apply the concepts to my own situation in any meaningful way. There were always blocks, the "yes buts". To my surprise, the author of this book, Christopher Germer, anticipated many of my "yes...more
**Self-compassion softens the toughness of life**
As the author so succinctly summarizes in the first sentence of the book’s introduction:
“Life is tough.”
And, as he shows, resisting reality results in life becoming even tougher:
Pain [inevitable] + Resistance [optional] = Suffering.
So, how do we resist our resistance to pain and decrease how much we suffer?
Enter self-compassion: the more compassionate we can be towards ourselves—as we are—the less harsh life will feel:
“Self-compassion offers a...more
As the author so succinctly summarizes in the first sentence of the book’s introduction:
“Life is tough.”
And, as he shows, resisting reality results in life becoming even tougher:
Pain [inevitable] + Resistance [optional] = Suffering.
So, how do we resist our resistance to pain and decrease how much we suffer?
Enter self-compassion: the more compassionate we can be towards ourselves—as we are—the less harsh life will feel:
“Self-compassion offers a...more
Love says, "I am everything."
Wisdom says, "I am nothing."
Between these two my life flows.
~ Nisagradatta Maharaj
Our culture teaches us that happiness depends on external circumstances, but that is not really the case. In The Mindful Path to Self Compassion, Christopher K. Germer, PhD., states that 2/3 of people without chronic back pain display the same structural dysfunction as those experiencing pain. In another study, job satisfaction was found to be a predictor of developing low back pain. Bu...more
Wisdom says, "I am nothing."
Between these two my life flows.
~ Nisagradatta Maharaj
Our culture teaches us that happiness depends on external circumstances, but that is not really the case. In The Mindful Path to Self Compassion, Christopher K. Germer, PhD., states that 2/3 of people without chronic back pain display the same structural dysfunction as those experiencing pain. In another study, job satisfaction was found to be a predictor of developing low back pain. Bu...more
The Mindful Path to Self Compassion Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions by Christopher K. Germer, Ph.D.
Christopher Germer is writing a book that combines buddhism, meditation, and psychology. While it includes buddhist practices, there is little preaching. In some ways, the book mirrors the concept of a higher power in alcoholics anonymous where the practitioner is asked to believe in a higher power, but not necessarily a religious one.
Librarians often run into issues surroun...more
Christopher Germer is writing a book that combines buddhism, meditation, and psychology. While it includes buddhist practices, there is little preaching. In some ways, the book mirrors the concept of a higher power in alcoholics anonymous where the practitioner is asked to believe in a higher power, but not necessarily a religious one.
Librarians often run into issues surroun...more
As a therapist, I use some exercises from this book with my clients. I know this might concern some of my Christian friends, but often, very anxious people need tools to keep in their toolbox so their minds don't race when they are lying in bed or feeling overwhelmed from some trauma. I don't agree with the philosophical underpinnings of the book as a believer. I do think that some of the exercises and illustrations are helpful for people who struggle with anxiety. I think the author has an int...more
I'm cultivating mindfulness and self-compassion; this book is a gold mine.
Notes
p. 57 All mindfulness exercises have 3 basic components: stop (also, slow down!), observe (notice and label what you're feeling), return (gently refocus on your focal object whenever you stray from it).
p. 66 In times of difficult emotion:
For 10 minutes, find a comfortable position, close your eyes, take 3 relaxing breaths.
- observe your body--position in chair, sensations
- bring attention to your heart region--may wa...more
Notes
p. 57 All mindfulness exercises have 3 basic components: stop (also, slow down!), observe (notice and label what you're feeling), return (gently refocus on your focal object whenever you stray from it).
p. 66 In times of difficult emotion:
For 10 minutes, find a comfortable position, close your eyes, take 3 relaxing breaths.
- observe your body--position in chair, sensations
- bring attention to your heart region--may wa...more
What a lovely read!! I didn't realize that a month of reading this book could truly make me more self-compassionate! I first read it out of desperation to love myself, and once I got to practicing the things he was teaching, I began to notice changes in my self-talk and more gentleness toward others! I speak the loving-kindness phrases to myself and I become less threatened and more vulnerable to others and am way more compassionate toward them. I highly recommend this book! It drastically has c...more
One of the most insightful books I have read about freeing yourself from destructive thoughts and emotions. This book teaches some simple but powerful methods than can provide emotional healing, ease anxiety, create greater peace of mind, and enhance one's quality of life. Dr. Germer shows that by feeling compassion for oneself, we can show greater compassion to others, and he provides us with some concrete, invaluable techniques that help the reader to do so.
Enjoyed this book a lot and have used it clinically with clients. The gist of it is, instead of 'fixing' what ails us (the classic mental health approach to problems), the mindfulness approach teaches us to 'lean into' the pain ... "pain is inevitable; suffering is optional." Accepting the painful, learning to be mindful of it, and treating ourselves with compassion is more or less the idea. I have guided clients through a few of the mediation exercises and found it worked well (in particular th...more
...probably the best intro book to mindfulness and artful problem solving. Does not require hours of practice or formal meditation.
This book is about bringing peace and mindfulness to every waking moment without much of the 'hokus pokus' that some books have.
This book is about bringing peace and mindfulness to every waking moment without much of the 'hokus pokus' that some books have.
I'm finding this book very helpful. It is a good follow-up to Kristen Neff's book, which had had so much impact on me -- stop short of saying "life-changing" but only because that sounds so trite. lol
I thought this was a good book. It gives a little bit more than what the standard self help books teach. I really needed something like this and was so glad I got my hands on it.
Similar to the mindful book on depression, I found myself feeling this book was written/geared more for that of a lay person. Therefore I found little of it refreshing or helpful for me.
Jan 14, 2010
JoAnn Jordan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-read-in-2010
This is a wonderful book. It teaches how to treat oneself with more love and kindness by using meditation to facilitate the practice. I have often wanted to meditate, but could not find a practice I could follow. This book introduces the use of metta and I can do that.
I would recommend this book to anyone trying to become more accepting of their life and themself.
I would recommend this book to anyone trying to become more accepting of their life and themself.
This book reads like a meditation textbook and self-compassion workbook. I appreciated the perspective of allowing your thoughts to wander and not 'fight' your mind when practicing mindfulness. The exercises are useful in learning to bring peace and ease to anxious thoughts and feelings. I do feel some of the meditation exercises would work better as an audio CD rather than trying to do the steps while relaxed and eyes closed when you have to read each step in-between. Self-Compassion is somethi...more
This seems to be a western-reader's book on meditation. It's full of psychological studies, statistics, and tiny little meditation exercises meant to trick you into not being such an asshole (to yourself and everyone else).
I have always loved the promise of meditation, but it has also always seemed a little bit like believing in unicorns. I did my time believing in unicorns, and it got me nowhere. But statistics, psychiatric and medical studies? Those I can get behind.
And - so far, so good.
I have always loved the promise of meditation, but it has also always seemed a little bit like believing in unicorns. I did my time believing in unicorns, and it got me nowhere. But statistics, psychiatric and medical studies? Those I can get behind.
And - so far, so good.
Dec 07, 2010
Kay Baird
marked it as to-read
Germer's website gives away a lot of information from the book; this generosity makes attracts me to reading the book.
Good for people looking for self-compassion, easy reading, but kind of too easy actually...
Thoughts for today... stop trying to "cure" myself and start "caring" for myself.
This is a book you need to have on hand. I want to buy a copy.
This book was my bible throughout my internship in mental health counseling, and continues to serve me well. It is a well-researched book without being boring, and it is VERY user-friendly. I found it especially helpful when facilitating therapy groups. I have not yet read the book cover-to-cover, but I have used information from every chapter with clients, and have personally benefited from the suggested practices and ideas contained in it.
I'd add this to the list of books that have changed my life.
One of the best books I've read on mindfulness, lovingkindness meditation, and self-compassion. The author weaves together real-life stories, helpful tools and academic research to present a wonderful guide. I'll keep this one on my shelf to refer to again and again!
Life changing. I loved this book.
Where this book really shines is it's easy to understand description of metta practice. If you are looking to learn more about lovingkindness meditation, this is a great book to read.
Nicely packaged single unit of loving kindness meditation. If you had a friend that wanted only one book on the subject to try it out, this would be a good option.
A good introduction to meditation for those folks who don't resonate with the more spiritual language of books from authors like Pema Chodron, etc.
This is a book that I tend to carry with me and read whenever I get the chance. I enjoy it but have yet to finish it...
There are some good references and tips, though I'll admit that I skimmed much of this book.
Anything like this is perfect for me
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