A Kinder Voice: Releasing Your Inner Critics with Mindfulness Slogans

by Thérèse Jacobs-Stewart

You’ve probably heard it said, and have maybe spoken the words yourself, “I am my own worst critic.” A negative internal running commentary contributes to a lack of confidence and low self-worth in many people.

Well-known mindfulness meditation teacher and author Thérèse Jacobs-Stewart offers one of the most effective approaches to calming a self-critical mind: the ancient Buddhist practice of using compassion slogans. Combining thought awareness, loving-kindness practice, and mindfulness meditation, this simple, time-tested approach can be used throughout the day to quiet your critical voices and ease your mind. Through short, accessible phrases, you will learn to reorient your thinking when your inner critics show up. Instead of making a negative thought stronger by fighting it, you will learn to let thoughts dissipate through non-attachment and practicing mindfulness. When you remember to “begin kindness with yourself,” you will find that keeping a compassionate perspective on all that you do and say will allow you to give your inner critics a kinder voice.

Genres: Self Help, Buddhism

177 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2016

Reviews

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm pleased with how this book provides methods to start meditating. Not only did it discuss different slogans and how to utilize each one. It gave information about how transforming it can be for individuals. It gives some durable tools on how to face your inner critic. A very good argument for WHY one should meditate.
Such as the positive benefits that can occur; the rewiring of the brain, and paradigm shifts.

[Denise みか Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a keeper. I don't just mean it was worth the purchase and I'm going to hold onto it in case I ever want to read it again, I mean I'm going to keep this within reach, within sight, and turn to it whenever I start to slip and need a hand to help me up again. As someone diagnosed with CPTSD and who already received mental healthcare from a licensed counselor before picking up A Kinder Voice, I think this book is best suited to those who have either already received help from from a mental health professional, or those who have mild symptoms of self-doubt and negativity rather than a full-blown illness. If you have a more serious mental health issue, I really recommend seeking professional care before reading this book. I think it's better to get the foundation set by a professional, and then move onto your own personal additions with books like these :)

Now that my disclaimer is out of the way, let me talk more about the contents of the book. First of all, I loved the writing, the layout, the explanations, the suggestions, pretty much everything about this book was excellently done. The tone is professional, intelligent, but easy to follow if you take your time digesting the information. Everything was well-organized and put together in an order that built upon itself logically. I really appreciated that the author invited the reader to either take the book in one go and just get the general idea, or to take it slow and savor everything, putting the lessons directly to use as each was learned. One of the best things I liked about this book was the delicate way spirituality was handled. At the base of it all, I am an atheist, but I also believe in spirituality as a means for expressing emotion and connecting with others. The problem with this mindset, I always find, is that although I'm open to discussion about religious ideas or spiritual practice, when it veers too far into the, "you just have to believe and [so-n-so] will provide," realm, I just can't take it seriously. This book doesn't do that. It takes religious teachings and spiritual practices and makes them applicable to anyone, regardless of their beliefs or lack thereof. It's such a delicate, difficult balance, but the author not only struck it, she made it shine.

I feel a little disappointed that I can't fully express how wonderful, enlightening, and empowering this book is. It's not one of those simple-minded self-help books that stroke the reader's ego or give a tough-love kick in the pants. It helps build a healthy self-confidence that comes directly from being kinder not only to oneself, but to friends, family, everyone--even enemies and those you will never know.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure about the use of the word "slogans" but there is much quiet wisdom in this book about how to be kind to yourself, which leads to kindness toward others. I will read this one again.