Throughout history people have sought to cope with a life that is often
stressful and hard. We have actually known for some time that developing
compassion for oneself and others can help us face up to and win through
the hardship and find a sense of inner peace. However in modern
societies we rarely focus on this key process that underpins successful
coping and happiness and can be quick to dismiss the impact of modern
living on our minds and well-being. Instead we concentrate on 'doing,
achieving' and having'. Now, bestselling author and leading authority on
depression, Professor Paul Gilbert explains how new research shows how
we can all learn to develop compassion for ourselves and others and
derive the benefits of this age-old wisdom.
In this ground-breaking new book he explores how our minds have
developed to be highly sensitive and quick to react to perceived threats
and how this fast-acting threat-response system can be a source of
anxiety, depression and aggression. He describes how studies have also
shown that developing kindness and compassion for self and others can
help in calming down the threat system: as a mother's care and love can
soothe a baby's distress, so we can learn how to soothe ourselves. Not
only does compassion help to soothe distressing emotions, it actually
increases feelings of contentment and well-being. Here, Professor
Gilbert outlines the latest findings about the value of compassion and
how it works, and takes readers through basic mind training exercises to
enhance the capacity for, and use of, compassion.
