The Science of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: How to Build New Habits to Transform Your Life

by Kristin Neff, Shauna Shapiro

Learn the science of self-compassion and mindfulness to heal and build resilience

In the face of a setback or failure, is your first response to "get tough" on yourself? Do you worry that being too easy on yourself will make you "go soft"? In fact, over a decade of research shows that mindful self-compassion makes us stronger, not weaker. Together, mindfulness and self-compassion:

Reduce anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, and chronic pain.
Make us more capable, connected with others, and, resilient.
Improve our health, personal relationships, and ability to achieve our aspirations.

In this immersive, seven-hour audio program—presented to an audience of psychotherapists, caregivers, teachers, and meditators—you'll join two pioneering researchers to explore: The science supporting the many benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion
• How to build kind awareness through meditations, physical gestures, and many other tested methods
• How to cultivate presence, ease, and courage
Taught with depth, humor, and an empathy for those in need, Shauna Shapiro and Kristin Neff weave surprising scientific insights, their own stories as dedicated mothers and researchers, and a wealth of guided practices to bring mindfulness and self-compassion into every area of our lives.

Highlights:Three ingredients of effective mindfulness: Intention, Attention, and Attitude
• Posture, movement, touch, and tone of voice—somatic tools to activate self-compassion
• Self-esteem versus self-compassion—crucial differences
• Working with a challenging client, parent, or child (and not burning out)
• Healing trauma—guidance for survivors and therapists
• How mindfulness and self-compassion foster secure attachment within ourselves
• Interconnectedness and inter-being—how self-compassion and mindfulness expand our empathy and sense of self—and many other topics

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Personal Growth, Personal Development, Mental Health

Audio CD

Published April 2, 2019

About the author

Kristin Neff is Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion almost twenty years ago. In addition to writing numerous academic articles and book chapters on the topic, she is author of the books Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive and Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. In conjunction with her colleague Dr. Chris Germer, she has developed an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion, which is taught by thousands of teachers worldwide. They co-authored the Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals. Her newest work focuses on how to balance self-acceptance with the courage to make needed change.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can never go wrong with a Kristin Neff's work. She is phenomenal. This SoundsTrue audio class was no exception. I wish she had more publicly accessible work. Like Brene Brown and Tara Brach and Kelly McGonigal, Kristin Neff's work speaks to me and I have to revisit it regularly to train my mind and unlearn+relearn.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for EVERYONE that struggles to with self-compassion. The science will convince even the biggest skeptic and the practices help to cement the teachings.

[Michelle Olofsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. I found myself surprised by how simple a practice, self-compassion, could quickly shift my mood and perspective. I used to be someone to scoff at the expression “you must love yourself before you can love others”. It seemed, to me, self-indulgent and narcissistic. Kristin & Shauna addressed this reaction early on in the series, distinguishing between self-compassion and self-esteem. Because self-esteem is dependent on things external to us - how we identify, who we present ourselves as, our accomplishments and failures. Compassion on the other hand, can be extended whether we’re proud or embarrassed or disappointed. Compassion is recognizing our experiences and feelings as human and real. And really, until we can acknowledge it for ourselves, how will we remember it for others. Overall, a really beautiful psychological model that deserves attention!

[Magnus Lidbom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much like being present during a weekend workshop by two of the pioneers in understanding and applying mindfulness and self-compassion in practice from an evidence/science based point of view. If you are not yet well read on this aspect of the subject it can be a life changing revelation. If you are already familiar it can be like a much needed in depth practice retreat helping to deepen your healthy and happiness promoting patterns of thinking and behavior while weakening the pattern that make you and those around you unhappy. Either way I consider the time spent listening to be a very worthwhile investment of time.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Science of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: How to Build New Habits to Transform Your Life
by Kristin Neff Release date: April 2, 2019

<3 <3 <3

Learn the science of self-compassion and mindfulness to heal and build resilience

In the face of a setback or failure, is your first response to "get tough" on yourself? Do you worry that being too easy on yourself will make you "go soft"? In fact, over a decade of research shows that mindful self-compassion makes us stronger, not weaker. Together, mindfulness and self-compassion:

Reduce anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, and chronic pain.
Make us more capable, connected with others, and, resilient.
Improve our health, personal relationships, and ability to achieve our aspirations.

In this immersive, seven-hour audio program—presented to an audience of psychotherapists, caregivers, teachers, and meditators—you'll join two pioneering researchers to explore: The science supporting the many benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion How to build kind awareness through meditations, physical gestures, and many other tested method sHow to cultivate presence, ease, and courage Taught with depth, humor, and an empathy for those in need, Shauna Shapiro and Kristin Neff weave surprising scientific insights, their own stories as dedicated mothers and researchers, and a wealth of guided practices to bring mindfulness and self-compassion into every area of our lives.

Highlights:Three ingredients of effective mindfulness: Intention, Attention, and Attitude Posture, movement, touch, and tone of voice—somatic tools to activate self-compassion Self-esteem versus self-compassion—crucial differences Working with a challenging client, parent, or child (and not burning out)Healing trauma—guidance for survivors and therapists How mindfulness and self-compassion foster secure attachment within ourselves Interconnectedness and inter-being—how self-compassion and mindfulness expand our empathy and sense of self—and many other topics

[Heather Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this audio series from the library in hopes that it would be engaging enough to ease my long commute, and that I might perhaps get a tidbit or two of new insight or inspiration to enrich my existing mindfulness practices. There are so many similarly-titled self-helpy books and audio series out there that I tend to have fairly low expectations, and have been known to quit a few tracks in. A few tracks in to the first CD in this series, I realized this was not only well worth my time, but that it was not a listen-while-driving series to pass the time. This was a thank-goodness-I-still-own-a-CD-player, sit down with a notebook and listen and pause it to take notes and geek out on the neuroscience and go down further research rabbit-holes and do all the suggested meditations and have several mind-blowing ah-ha moments, sort of experience. So, yes, I would recommend this series. It did my mind and my heart good, and is still reverberating there.

[Carlos Miguel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 1.5/2.0

Okay, so this is the problem with this audiobook: it is a recording from a weekend retreat. So sometimes, the author refers to something shown in the screen and the listener has not clue what's going on, sometimes someone in the audience asks something but the microphone is not even working for them, and so on...

As an audiobook this is a waste.

That being said, Kristin is super knowledgeable and the concept of mindfulness and self-compassion is extremely interesting and applicable. So go and read something from her, just NOT this.

[Nicole Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recorded psychology retreats are my new favorite thing because of the integration of practices a typical audiobooks cannot include. I got the sense that self-compassion was important to overcoming anxious traits in my relationships and I was not wrong.

[Ann Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook recording of a two day workshop given by two psychologists on mindfulness & self compassion. Such interesting discussions and practical sessions dealing with these subjects. Some technical bits that I glossed over but so worthwhile.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Brene Brown, Tara Brach, and Kristin Neff’s work, I like exploring Kristin Neff’s work more! I dare to bring self-compassion to the tech industry :)

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened twice through, great info.

[Denise Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have preferred more science, less meditation. Title a bit misleading. Still a nice listen.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be good, it is mostly meditations so just be forewarned going into that.

[Edie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a way to incorporate loving-kindness meditation into my everyday life. The audiobook was great for the mindfulness segments. I keep going back to Dr Neff's self-compassion. I'm worth it!