“Hard core pornography is hard Wisdom & Compassion in to define” Psychotherapy [but] “I know it when I see it.” Deepening Mindfulness in Clinical Practice -- Justice Potter Stewart (1964) Ronald D. Siegel, Psy.D . “If we are doomed to die “Be not puffed up with thy knowledge, and be not proud —let us spend.” because thou are wise.” -- Mesopotamia (3000 BCE) -- Egypt (2000 BCE) “The narrow intelligence flashing from the keen eye of a clever rogue” is not wisdom. -- Socrates (400 BCE) A 15 year old girl wants to get married right away. What should she do? 1
Buddhist Psychology Monika Ardelt “A fool can learn to say all the things a wise man says, and to say them on the same occasions, but this isn’t real wisdom.” • Compilation of insights derived largely from mindfulness practice --John Kekes • Not a religion in Western sense, but the results of a 2500 year old tradition of introspection Three Marks of Existence Mindfulness • Anicca (impermanence) • Dukkha (unsatisfactoriness) • Anatta (no enduring, separate self) How Mindfulness Fosters How Mindfulness Fosters Wisdom I Wisdom II • Stepping Out Of the Thought Stream • Transpersonal Insight • Being With Discomfort • Seeing How the Mind Creates Suffering • Disengaging From Automatic • Embracing Opposites Responses • Developing Compassion 2
Not Knowing Therapeutic Progress Not about me Not about me ”mine” about me ”mine” about me about me -- Adapted from Engler & Fulton Beginner’s Mind Compassion in Psychotherapy Compassion • Latin: pati; Greek : pathein (“to suffer”) • Latin: com (“with”) • Compassion means to “suffer with” another person. 3
Affect Regulation Systems Compassion’s Relatives Drive, excitement, vitality Contentment, safety, connection . Affiliative Seeking pleasure • Empathy Soothing/safety Achieving and Activating Well-being • Sympathy • Love Threat-focused Protection & • Pity Safety Seeking Activating/Inhibiting • Altruism Anger, anxiety, disgust How Mindfulness Develops Lovingkindness Practice Compassion • “Metta” practices • Compassion for ourselves arises as we May I be happy, open to our own suffering peaceful, free from suffering • Compassion for others arises as we see May my loved that everyone else also suffers ones be happy. . . • Compassion arises naturally as we see May all beings be our interconnectedness happy. . . Research on LKM Equanimity Phrases • Builds positive emotions and resources • Everyone is on his or her own life journey. • Increases feelings of social connectedness. • I am not the cause of my patient’s • Changes the brain, which correlates with empathy and generosity. suffering, nor is it entirely within my power to alleviate it. • Shifts away from fault-finding, self and other • Though moments like this are difficult to • Reduces back pain. bear, I may still try to help to the extent that I can. 4
Condon, Desbordes, & Paradoxical Responses Miller (2013) • Universality of ambivalence Highlight one pole, energize the other • Negative emotions may arise Cynicism, anger, sadism • Practice saying “Yes” to these To Receive Wisdom & Compassion Handouts Send a blank email to: handouts@yahoo.com Subject line: USJ When Things Go Wrong Developing Unholy trinity of Self-Compassion • Self-criticism • Self-isolation • Self-absorption 5
An Antidote: Self-Compassionate Letter Self-compassion • Describe something that makes you feel badly about yourself • Self-Kindness • Think of loving, accepting, imaginary • Common Humanity friend • Write a letter to yourself from your • Mindfulness friend’s perspective ---Kristin Neff Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself . Self and Identity, 2, 85-102. Research On Greeting Exercise Self-compassion • Begin with breath • Predicts psychological well-being • Visualize the person you’re about to • Different construct than self-esteem meet, suffering human being, once a child, has hopes and dreams, • Unrelated to narcissism vulnerable and afraid, believing you can • Adaptive response to academic failure help • Alleviates shame and self-criticism • Now say “hello.” • Helps to avoid unhealthy food First Noble Truth to the Rescue For meditations & other resources: www.mindfulness-solution.com email: rsiegel@hms.harvard.edu The Story of the Mustard Seed 6
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