Self compassion

[monkey]

Hello everyone. This is my first post. I've been realising that I have a lot of self critical thoughts throughout the day, which the practice has made me aware of. I found a number of books about self compassion and mindfulness but am wondering if anyone can recommend a particular one, or website or downloads. I have practiced yoga for a long time, and meditated on and off for years, but it never really clicked until I read the Mark Williams book over Christmas, so I guess I'm after something very straightforward like that. Thank you!

[JonW]

Hi monkey.
Welcome to the forum.
I would highly recommend Thich Nhat Hanh's The Art Of Mindful Living, Christopher Germer's The Mindful Path To Self-Compassion and Jon Kabat-Zinn's Coming To Our Senses.
All best wishes,
Jon, Hove

[monkey]

Hi monkey.
Welcome to the forum.
I would highly recommend Thich Nhat Hanh's The Art Of Mindful Living, Christopher Germer's The Mindful Path To Self-Compassion and Jon Kabat-Zinn's Coming To Our Senses.
All best wishes,
Jon, Hove

Thank you Jon. I'd found Christopher Germer's website and listened to a few of the download meditations there which seem helpful. It's good to have recommendations though.

[Gareth]

You might want to take a look at this great blog by Sheila too:
http://www.everyday-mindfulness.org/why ... -kindness/

[monkey]

You might want to take a look at this great blog by Sheila too:
http://www.everyday-mindfulness.org/why ... -kindness/

Thank you. Actually that was what came up when I searched and what started me thinking that it would be good to have self compassion as a conscious focus in my practice. I think Sheila's descriptions of her thought processes are so similar to what goes on in my own head, it was great to read it. Also the overwhelming nature of her anxiety and managing to accept it bit by bit. I had a very similar thing last week in my yoga class, just really awful negative feelings and I came away worrying that I'd never be able to go back, and it was something about the class (which is a very safe environment, no comparing etc.). But after a while I realised that it was just that those thoughts and feelings started to come up a lot more intensely because I was being mindful for a sustained period during the class and there it all was, bash bash bash! It's hard to sit and watch that though, that's why I think I'd like to have part of my practice which kind of works on the other side, as it were, so I'm both trying to accept it but also trying to build my compassion for myself as well.

I ordered the Germer book so am looking forward to reading that when it arrives. Thank you again!

[piedwagtail91]

i've always found kristin neff to be good for self compassion.
theres also the mindful self compassion website that she set up with christopher germer.
this is her website, with lots of links. http://www.self-compassion.org/
this is her self compassion book,lots of practices and links.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Compassion-Kristin-Neff/dp/1444738178/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0GVMG447W3EJVDB37TV9
she also has a cd set out but thats quite expensive
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Compassion-Step-Proven-Power-Yourself/dp/1604079711

i've used her stuff for a few years. her practices are pretty good if you like her accent
i can definitely recommend her book.

[monkey]

i've always found kristin neff to be good for self compassion.
theres also the mindful self compassion website that she set up with christopher germer.
this is her website, with lots of links. http://www.self-compassion.org/
this is her self compassion book,lots of practices and links.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Compassion-Kristin-Neff/dp/1444738178/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0GVMG447W3EJVDB37TV9
she also has a cd set out but thats quite expensive
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Compassion-Step-Proven-Power-Yourself/dp/1604079711

i've used her stuff for a few years. her practices are pretty good if you like her accent
i can definitely recommend her book.

Thank you, that's great. I'd also found her book. I'll see how I go with the one I've ordered, I find it too confusing to have lots at once! Will bear it in mind though and will have a better look at her site.