
#139 - Kristin Neff, Ph.D.: The power of self-compassion
from The Peter Attia Drive
by Peter Attia, MD
Published: Mon Nov 30 2020
Show Notes
Kristin Neff is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas, author, and a leading expert on mindful self-compassion. In this episode, she shares how developing a self-compassion and mindfulness practice was the most effective tool for relieving her own suffering, and provides strategies and tactics to improve self-compassion and well-being.
We discuss:
- The life crisis that turned Kristin to mindfulness and self-compassion (3:30);
 - How mindful self-compassion relieved Kristin's feelings of self-judgement, and the psychology that says we all have the capacity for self-compassion (9:45);
 - Peter's history of self-criticism and his personal practice of self-compassion ();
 - The problem with prioritizing self-esteem over self-compassion, and how self-compassion produces a more stable version of self-worth ();
 - An argument for self-compassion over self-criticism for optimizing performance ();
 - How and when to introduce self-compassion to children ();
 - Learning her son had autism—a personal story of how Kristin used mindfulness and self-compassion ();
 - Self-compassion for cases of childhood trauma, PTSD, and overcoming a "fear of compassion" ();
 - The relationship between self-compassion and physical health ();
 - Distinguishing between self-compassion and self-pity, and the three necessary components self-compassion ();
 - Why self-criticism comes from a desire to be safe, the circular pattern of self-judgment, and self-compassion as the ultimate motivator ();
 - Potential role of a self-compassion practice for addiction and other maladaptive behaviors ();
 - Clinical applications and practical uses of self-compassion ();
 - Why you don't need to meditate to learn mindfulness and self-compassion ();
 - Kristin's personal meditation practice ();
 - Resources for learning self-compassion ();and
 - More.
 
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