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Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

Kristin Neff: The Liberating Power of Self-Compassion

Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

Tami Simon

Religion, Religion & Spirituality

4.61.8K Ratings

🗓️ 6 November 2018

⏱️ 68 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Dr. Kristin Neff is a professor of human development and culture at the University of Texas and a practitioner of Buddhist meditation. The book and documentary The Horse Boy chronicle Kristin and her family's extraordinary journey to help her autistic son. With Sounds True, Kristin has created the audio program Self-Compassion Step by Step, which includes clinical evidence of the importance of self-compassion along with techniques and exercises for cultivating this pivotal quality. In this interview, Tami Simon and Kristin talk about the vital distinction between self-esteem and self-compassion, three pillars of self-compassion, 'self-compassion breaks,' and the importance of recognizing our common humanity during difficulties that feel unique and isolating. (68 minutes) Tami's Takeaway In any moment of self-criticism or self-blame, a "go-to move" that is immediately effective and state-changing is to gently touch your arm, stroke your face, or place your hand on your heart (any form of soothing touch). This activates our mammalian "tend and befriend" system, releases oxytocin, and shifts us out of the threat-defense system. Try it next time you feel self-critical. Gently touching your body can shift your state of mind—fast!

Transcript

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0:00.0

This program is brought to you by sounds true.com.

0:04.0

At sounds true.com, you can find hundreds of downloadable audio learning programs,

0:09.0

plus books, music, videos, and online courses, and events.

0:14.3

At sounds true.com, we think of ourselves

0:17.2

as a trusted partner on the spiritual journey,

0:20.2

offering diverse, in-depth, and life-changing wisdom.

0:24.0

Sounds True.com. You're listening to Insights at the Edge.

0:37.0

Today is a rebroadcast of one of my favorite episodes. I hope you enjoy.

0:47.0

Today my guest is Dr. Kristen Neff.

0:50.0

Kristen is a professor of human development and culture at the University of Texas, Austin,

0:56.0

and she has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1997.

1:00.0

Kristen and her family were the subject of the recent book in documentary The Horse Boy, which

1:07.1

documented her family's adventure with autism.

1:10.7

A self-proclaimed self-compassion evangelist.

1:15.0

Kristen Neff loves spreading the good word of self-compassion.

1:20.0

With sounds true, Kristen created an audio program called Self-Compassion Step-by-Step,

1:26.8

the proven power of being kind to yourself, where she presents the clinical evidence that self-compassion is a master key to greater

1:36.6

happiness, well-being, and resilience, and she presents proven techniques and exercises for cultivating this pivotal quality.

1:47.2

In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Kristen and I spoke about three pillars or components of self-compassion. We talked about how to take

1:57.0

a self-compassion break when we need it, and also the importance of recognizing our common humanity in the midst of a difficult

2:06.7

experience that we might feel is unique to us.

2:11.1

Here's my very helpful and illuminating conversation with Kristen Neff.

...

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