Self-Kindness vs Self-Judgment
With Self-Compassion, we treat ourselves with the same care, kindness and understanding we offer to a friend we cared about. This is a radical concept because often we are quite cruel to ourselves – especially when we mess up.
Common Humanity vs Isolation
With Self-Compassion, we see our own experience of imperfection and suffering as part of the larger human experience. Ofteh when we struggle we feel like we are the only one – and that everyone else has it all together. This further isolates us from others. It helps to remind ourselves that suffering is part of being human.
Mindfulness vs Over-identification
Self-compassion calls for us to first be mindful of what we are feeling when we are feeling it. We have to know and recognize that we are suffering when we are suffering. Most of us think we know when we are suffering, but often we don’t. Because we are busy suppressing, avoiding or over-identifying with whatever is happening to us. Mindfulness practice helps us cultivate the ability to be aware of the present moment..
