The Compassionate Mind (Paperback) by Paul Gilbert

Throughout history people have sought ways to cope with the stresses and strains of life. We have actually known for some time that developing compassion for oneself and others can help us face up to 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 - rather, we can be quick to dismiss the impact of modern living on our minds and well-being, and concentrate instead on 'doing, achieving and having'.

Now, bestselling author and leading authority on depression, Professor Paul Gilbert, explains new research that shows we can all learn to develop compassion for ourselves and others and derive the benefits of this age old wisdom. In this ground-breaking book he explores how our minds have developed ot 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 studies demonstrating that developing kindness and compassion for self and others can help in calming down the threat system: as a mother's care and love soothes a baby's distress, so we can learn to calm our own distressing emotions and actually increase 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.

Paperback