The Psychology of Compassion Dr Elliot Cohen CPsychol, Leeds Metropolitan University British 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  ,760 citations (source Germer and Siegel 2012, p.10)

Mind & Life Institute

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 Mind Compassion for the Heart? Xin and Chitta

Dualism in Western Psychology and Philosophy  Body – Mind  Heart – Intellect  Emotion – 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 )

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 