“Buck up.” “Stop feeling sorry for yourself.” “Don’t ruin everything.”When you are anxious, sad, angry, or lonely, do you hear this self-critical voice? What would happen if, instead of fighting difficult emotions, weacceptedthem? Over his decades of experience as a therapist and mindfulness meditation practitioner, Dr. Christopher Germer has learned a paradoxical lesson: We all want to avoid pain, but letting it in--and responding compassionately to our own imperfections, without judgment or self-blame--are essential steps on the path to healing. This wise and eloquent book illuminates the power of self-compassion and offers creative, scientifically grounded strategies for putting it into action. Free audio downloads of the meditation exercises are available at the author's website: www.chrisgermer.com.
See alsoThe Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook,by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, which provides step-by-step guidance for building mindful self-compassion skills and applying them to specific life challenges, andTeaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program,by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff (for professionals).
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) Self-Help Book of Merit
"Those of us treating people who struggle with addictions know all too well how clients' feelings of shame or self-blame often undermine efforts to achieve effective interventions. In this remarkable book, Germer shows readers how to use mindfulness and self-compassion to open up to their pain and treat themselves with kindness. Ideal for recommendation to clients who have fallen off the wagon or who are blaming themselves for failed relationships, lost jobs, and scattered lives, this book offers a way out of a vicious cycle."--G. Alan Marlatt, PhD, Department of Psychology and Director, Addictive Behaviors Research Center, University of WashlS)
![The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions [Paperback]](/itemImage/2/7/0/0/2_5477298.jpg "The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions [Paperback]")