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The Psychology of Compassion

The Psychology of Compassion. Dr Elliot Cohen CPsychol , Leeds Metropolitan University British Psychological Society Transpersonal Section. The Mindfulness ‘Revolution’ or the Mindfulness ‘Meme’?. Rapid growth of interest in mindfulness over the last 26 years

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The Psychology of Compassion

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  1. The Psychology of Compassion Dr Elliot Cohen CPsychol, Leeds Metropolitan University British Psychological Society Transpersonal Section

  2. The Mindfulness ‘Revolution’ or the Mindfulness ‘Meme’? • Rapid growth of interest in mindfulness over the last 26 years PsycINFO Articles (peer-reviewed) • 1985 – 24 citations • 2000 – 125 citations • 2005 – 364 citations • 2011- 1,760 citations (source Germer and Siegel 2012, p.10)

  3. Mind & Life Institute http://www.mindandlife.org/

  4. Mark Epstein

  5. Zen and Pure Land Buddhism

  6. Mindfulness-Based Approaches

  7. Critical/Transpersonal Perspective • 'The Psychologising of Eastern contemplative disciplines can rob these disciplines of their spiritual substance. It can pervert them into a Western mental health gimmick, and thereby prevent them from introducing the sharply alternative vision of life they are capable of bringing us.' (Welwood quoted in Coltart 1993, p.26)

  8. Critical/Integral Perspective • Meditation, it is said, is a way to evoke the relaxation response… a technique for calming the central nervous system; a way to relieve stress, bolster self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and alleviate depression. … But I would like to emphasise that meditation itself has always been a spiritual practice. (Wilber 1993, p.76)

  9. What do people want? The ‘magic pill’ versus the ‘lifelong practice’ • A Technique / A ‘quick fix’ • Alleviation of symptoms (stress, depression) • Ability to adapt to stressful environments/situations OR • ‘Something More’ • Greater/Deeper meaning • Transformation/Transcendence

  10. Wisdom for the MindCompassion for the Heart?Xin and Chitta

  11. Dualism in Western Psychology and Philosophy • Body – Mind • Heart – Intellect • Emotion – Reason

  12. Wisdom and Compassion: Two wings of the same bird

  13. Germer and Siegel (eds.) (2012)Including Metta/Karunaand even the (often ignored/excluded)Silas (very last chapter)

  14. Defining Compassion • The wish that all sentient beings may be free from suffering (Dalai Lama 2003, p.67) • Basic Kindness with a deep awareness of the suffering of oneself and other beings, coupled with the wish and effort to alleviate it (Gilbert 2009, p.xiii) • A three-part process: (1) “I feel for you” (affective), (2) “I understand you” (cognitive), (3) “I want to help you” (motivational) (Hangartner 2011)

  15. The Silas(Ethical Principles as a living expression of wisdom/compassion) • 1) To undertake the training to avoid taking the life of beings.  • 2) To undertake the training to avoid taking things not given. • 3) To undertake the training to avoid sensual misconduct.  • 4) To undertake the training to refrain from false speech. • 5) To undertake the training to abstain from substances which cause intoxication and heedlessness. (Source BuddhaNet Accessed 11.10.13)

  16. 4 Brahma Viharas • 1. Metta (Loving-kindness) • 2. Karuna (Compassion) • 3. Mudita (Sympathetic Joy) • 4. Upekkha(Equanimity)

  17. MettaBhavana

  18. Tonglen Practice

  19. Buddhist Images of Compassion:The Bodhisattva

  20. Buddhist Images of Compassion

  21. For a taste of what we’re talking about… • Kuan Yin Dance (All dancers are hearing impaired) • View from 6 minutes • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov_iJQGq6DI

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