The Psychology of CompassionDr Elliot Cohen CPsychol, Leeds Metropolitan UniversityBritish Psychological Society Transpersonal Section

The Mindfulness ‘Revolution’ or the Mindfulness ‘Meme’? Rapid growth of interest in mindfulness over the

last 26 years

PsycINFO Articles (peer-reviewed) 1985 – 24 citations 2000 – 125 citations 2005 – 364 citations 2011- 1,760 citations(source Germer and Siegel 2012, p.10)

Mind & Life Institute http://www.mindandlife.org/

Mark Epstein

Zen and Pure Land Buddhism

Mindfulness-Based Approaches

Critical/Transpersonal Perspective 'The Psychologising of Eastern contemplative

disciplines can rob these disciplines of their spiritual substance. It can pervert them into a Western mental health gimmick, and thereby prevent them from introducing the sharply alternative vision of life they are capable of bringing us.'

(Welwood quoted in Coltart 1993, p.26)

Critical/Integral Perspective Meditation, it is said, is a way to evoke the relaxation

response… a technique for calming the central nervous system; a way to relieve stress, bolster self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and alleviate depression.

… But I would like to emphasise that meditation itself has always been a spiritual practice.

(Wilber 1993, p.76)

What do people want?

The ‘magic pill’ versus the ‘lifelong practice’

A Technique / A ‘quick fix’ Alleviation of symptoms (stress, depression) Ability to adapt to stressful environments/situations

OR

‘Something More’ Greater/Deeper meaning Transformation/Transcendence

Wisdom for the MindCompassion for the Heart?

Xin and Chitta

Dualism in Western Psychology and Philosophy

Body – MindHeart – IntellectEmotion – Reason

Wisdom and Compassion: Two wings of the same bird

Germer and Siegel (eds.) (2012)Including Metta/Karuna and even the (often ignored/excluded)Silas (very last chapter)

Defining Compassion

The wish that all sentient beings may be free from suffering (Dalai Lama 2003, p.67)

Basic Kindness with a deep awareness of the suffering of oneself and other beings, coupled with the wish and effort to alleviate it (Gilbert 2009, p.xiii)

A three-part process: (1) “I feel for you” (affective), (2) “I understand you” (cognitive), (3) “I want to help you” (motivational) (Hangartner 2011)

The Silas (Ethical Principles as a living expression of wisdom/compassion)

1) To undertake the training to avoid taking the life of beings. 

2) To undertake the training to avoid taking things not given.

3) To undertake the training to avoid sensual misconduct. 

4) To undertake the training to refrain from false speech.

5) To undertake the training to abstain from substances which cause intoxication and heedlessness.

(Source BuddhaNet Accessed 11.10.13)

4 Brahma Viharas

1. Metta (Loving-kindness)2. Karuna (Compassion)3. Mudita (Sympathetic Joy)4. Upekkha (Equanimity)

Metta Bhavana

Tonglen Practice

Buddhist Images of Compassion:The Bodhisattva

Buddhist Images of Compassion

For a taste of what we’re talking about…

Kuan Yin Dance (All dancers are hearing impaired) View from 6 minutes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov_iJQGq6DI