Mindfulness - The Healing Power of Self-Compassion in Meditation

• Gain an understanding of the concept of self-compassion as an inward form of compassion, essential for dealing with personal suffering and stress
• Explore the role of mindfulness in self-compassion, where awareness of struggle is balanced with kindness and a sense of connectedness
• Learn about the interplay between meditation and self-compassion and how they can complement each other in enhancing mental well-being
• Discover the idea of 'backdraft' in self-compassion, where opening up to compassion can initially intensify underlying pain
• Examine the relationship between self-compassion and motivation and how kindness towards oneself can be a more effective motivator than self-criticism

Kristin Neff, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and is recognized as one of the most influential scholars in the field of psychology. Well over 5000 studies have been conducted on self-compassion by various scholars since her seminal articles were first published in 2003.

More than 20 years ago, Dr. Neff developed a theory and created a scale to measure self-compassion. In conjunction with her colleague Dr. Chris Germer, she developed an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion and co-founded the nonprofit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, which offers self-compassion training in a variety of formats.

Dr. Neff is author of the books Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, and Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power and Thrive. With Dr. Germer, she co-authored The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook  and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals. Her website is selfcompassion.org

10 minute guided meditation practice with Kristin Neff