- ISBN13: 9781593859756
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
“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 lesson: We all want to avoid pain, but letting in–and responding compassionately to o… More >>
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions
I purchased the following book:
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions. The book is very well written and informative. I would recommend it to others.
Rating: 5 / 5
Germer outlines the mindfulness path to self-compassion (”freeing yourself from destructive thoughts and emotions”). He admits early in the book that “life is tough”, and goes on to discuss acceptance of inevitable emotional pain and suffering, letting life be easy, moment-to-moment awareness, the importance of breathing and being aware of our breathing, caring for ourselves (easy to forget) and caring for others, and loving-kindness meditation. He suggests that when something bad happens to us, we tend to have three unfortunate reactions: self-criticism (put myself down), self-isolation (avoiding others), and self-absorption or focusing only on myself (been there to all three). The components of self-compassion on the other hand direct us in exactly the opposite directions.
He also discusses personal vulnerabilities or “tender spots” that characterize many people and that can kick in when times are rough. Self-compassion is most likely to occur if we recognize and manage these vulnerabilities. Further, he outlines his conceptualization of “personality types” (based on anecdotal evidence rather than scientific research), and discusses ways that awareness of one’s personality type can enhance self-compassion. The “personality types” include: Caregiver, Intellectual, Perfectionist, Individualist, Survivor, Workhorse, Butterfly, Outsider, Floater, Moralist, and Extravert and Introvert. As just one example, the “moralist” tends to get really upset when people behave badly, and they apply strict moral codes to themselves as well. To develop self-compassion and serenity, the moralist needs to lighten up. I was pretty impressed with German’s book.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a very well done book about the trap of self-destructive thinking and the ways out of that trap. If you’ve found yourself muttering or ruminating about what a loser you are, or filling your day with critical self-talk, this book can effectively teach you how to move out of that stuck-place. Be willing to alter some of the self-compassion language though. Some of the suggestions are a little too positive for folks used to very negative self-appraisals.
Rating: 4 / 5
I recommend this book for EVERYONE. The author explains mindfulness with a step by step approach that is understandable and inviting. And the miracle is that as you try the simple exercises the author describes, you find yourself smiling and feeling calmer and just plain happier with yourself. I have been reading the book a few pages at a time, letting the ideas sink in, and trying them out during the day. It has been a wonderful, life changing experience. I’m less anxious in my work, and more accepting and pleasant with my family. What a gift the author has given us!
Rating: 5 / 5
The “mindful path to self-compassion” is my new favorite book. This book has wisdom with universal appeal. Who among us, can truly say they practice self-compassion and self-kindness on a regular basis, in their daily lives? Dr. Germer has a clear and engaging writing style that outlines the importance of mindful living with self awareness and compassion. He suggests practice tools to engage in the process and substaniates them with research vignettes that support the benefits. Dr. Germer makes a good case for self-compassion as the ground for all emotional healing, and for developing compassion to others. As a psychologist, I have referred several of my patients to this book. This book may very well maintstream the practice of Self-Compassion, as Kabat-Zinn did with Mindfulness. And if more and more people engage in self-compassion practices, we may all live more peacefully among one another…
Rating: 5 / 5