Self-compassion is aimed at alleviating suffering, and to do so, sometimes we need to protect ourselves — to speak up, say no, draw boundaries, or to stand up to injustice. This essay is an excerpt from Kristin Neff’s forthcoming book, Fierce Self-Compassion.
Kristin Neff discusses the importance of deepening our understanding of self-compassion to include self-protection, self-motivation, and providing for ourselves.
Art is a valuable tool in expressing preverbal ideas that may otherwise remain trapped in the body. Here, Helga Luger-Schreiner inspires us to consider art as a tool when making contact with our own bodies, feelings, and emotion, allowing us to not only express unsaid truths, but also to appreciate ourselves for our creativity.
Compassion is aimed at the alleviation of suffering—that of others or ourselves— and can be ferocious as well as tender.
-Kristin Neff
This incisive and thoughtful commentary teaches how self-compassion, mindfulness, and relationship can support us in coping with tragedy and violence
Written by Dr. Steve Hickman
Her radiance, the lack of self-consciousness, the spirit of a Carioca (a resident of Rio) all shone through because she could embrace her true nature as a glorious, lively, perfectly imperfect human being who simply wants to be happy and free from suffering.
Written by Dr. Kristin Neff
In many ways the #MeToo movement can be seen as the collective arising of female yang. We are finally speaking up to protect ourselves, our sisters, our daughters and sons. Thank goodness. Women need to fully embrace and integrate both tender and fierce compassion if we are ever going to free ourselves from patriarchy.
