Customer Reviews

The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Life's Challenges

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this book, British Psychologist Paul Gilbert formally introduces us to the model that underlies his treatment model,Compassion-Focused Therapy. This book serves both as an introduction to the Compassionate Mind model and as a self-help book of sorts. In my perspective, this is a book that will benefit anyone who reads it, and will particularly benefit individuals struggling with issues of depression, anxiety, anger, or shame, clinicians in psychology or other helping fields, or anyone else who is generally interested in understanding their minds better and working with them in the pursuit of a happy life.

The Compassionate Mind model operates from a premise that should be the basis of any valid psychology: that in order to work effectively with our minds and emotions, we need to understand something about how and why they work the way they do. In 'The Compassionate Mind,' Gilbert skillfully weaves together evolutionary psychology, affective neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and recent psychology applications of Buddhist mindfulness and compassion practices into a model which helps us understand that many of our problems originate in the very ways our brains evolved, and the ways in which they fit with modern life. The reader learns about the evolution of our threat systems and how they predispose us to difficult emotions that evolved to protect us but which have a troublesome fit with both our new brain capacities for fantasy and rumination and the cultural dynamics of modern life. In doing so, Gilbert makes a case for compassion that is both unique and powerful: not only, as the Dalai Lama suggests, is the cultivation of compassion good for us; it is also the only response that makes sense when we observe the difficult fit between our evolved minds and the demands of our lives.

However, this model isn't just about understanding why our minds are so difficult to manage. It presents a theoretical model of emotion based in the neuroscience of affiliation which shows us how to work with them, and fully half of the book is dedicated to exercises for doing so. 'The Compassionate Mind' model teaches us how to work with our soothing/affiliative systems to bring balance to our affective responding, with particular emphasis given to mindfulness and the cultivation of self-compassion. One really nice thing about Gilbert's approach is that it is both deeply explanatory and intensely pragmatic - he wants us to understand our minds, but at the end of the day, his business is giving us practical tools for working with them. He does all of this in his friendly, conversational tone, so that it feels less like a dense read than a pleasant chat over a cup of tea, or perhaps a glass of red wine.

Rather than writing a book in the attempt to capture this one, I'll simply state that if you've bothered to read this, you owe it to yourself to buy this book. While written for the general reader, it is also a wonderful read for clinicians who would like a friendly introduction to the Compassionate Mind model, which provides the basis for Compassion-Focused Therapy. For those who've read the above and note that there are already plenty of therapy models based upon Mindfulness and compassionate acceptance, I'd like to say that in my view, Compassion-Focused Therapy is not another "therapy model" per se, and seemingly doesn't seek to add itself to the already dizzying list of Empirically Supported Treatment models (although it certainly is the subject of much evolving empirical work); rather, CFT provides a frame for understanding and approaching psychological functioning generally and emotional difficulties in particular. As such, it provides a unifying framework that is compatible with many empirically-based therapy approaches, while providing therapists and clients with a better understanding of the way our minds work and a model for working with them effectively. In doing so, it introduces new ways of working with our clients (for example, the purposeful cultivation of compassion for oneself and others), and couches already-proven methods in a context of warmth and a theoretical understanding of affective functioning that may very well enhance their effectiveness. In my opinion, if you're looking to ride the "third wave" of therapy, this may very well be the longboard of choice. Enjoy!

There is just so much depth and erudition in Dr. Gilbert's comprehensive self-help tour de force, that this entire review could be dedicated to the finer intellectual points of this integration of evolutionary psychology, Buddhism, and emotional neuroscience. However, what really strikes me about "The Compassionate Mind" is the kind and direct way that the author addresses the reader. Many self-help books talk down to the reader. "The Compassionate Mind" lifts the reader up. Dr. Gilbert appreciates the innate intelligence and wisdom of the reader, and uses direct language to deliver a comprehensive message. I have recommended this book to many of my patients, and I am certain that I will continue to do so for years to come.

At this point there are many books that discuss meditation based approaches to self-help and psychotherapy. Dr. Gilbert exceeds this mandate. "The Compassionate Mind" brings the reader into contact with the cutting edge of Western science of mind, psychotherapy technique, and truly ancient and profound Buddhist teachings. He lays the conceptual foundation, and then builds upon this with a wealth of user-friendly methods that readers can immediately adopt.

This is a truly excellent contribution to the self-help literatures of Western and Eastern psychology, deserving of a place among the classic texts for the intelligent lay reader.

I would recommend this book to any friend or loved one, and recommend it to anyone reading this review.

Dennis Tirch PhD
Associate Director
American Institute For Cognitive Therapy
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Fellow
Academy of Cognitive Therapy

I came to this book soon after reading Karen Armstrong's Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life and the common purpose was striking; to help us all become more compassionate, to ourselves and others, so that we may then build a better more compassionate world and become happier, kinder and healthier individuals in the process.

The book is built around "compassionate mind training" and the idea, now with some scientific evidence, is that we have the wiring in our brain for compassion, and that we have evolved to thrive on caring behavior, on kindness and compassion. The problem is that too often our "old brain" reptilian instincts of the four F's (feeding, fighting, fleeing and ...reproduction) take control of our lives. The very good news for humanity is that our propensity for compassion not only reflects the genes we are born with, but also to some extent is a result of the effect of early upbringing, and very significantly can be developed with the right exercises and practices - "physiotherapy for the brain."

Part One, in 6 chapters over c. 250 pages shares the science - how our minds and brains work and why compassion is a powerful healing process. This understanding, he stresses, is important for us in being able to most effectively develop that compassionate mind. He explains ten life challenges that we will meet along the way, such as competitive business efficiency that threatens our need for interconnectedness, (business efficiency he says is "crippling our hearts"), and the tragedies of life that can send us to despair and depression rather than compassion. He also writes of the three basic emotion regulation systems that evolution has given us: threat and self- protection, incentive and resource seeking, and our soothing and contentment system. The balance between these systems plays an essential role in our day -to- day feelings and our mental health. Compassion is our potential antidote for these getting out of balance. And he reminds us of the responsibility we can take on board to train our minds in this way for a better world for us all. Compassion is a "multivitamin for the mind," he writes.

Part Two - over 7 chapters and another c. 250 pages brings us the skills and exercises, for building the compassionate self, based on mindfulness, meditation, breathing, imagery, directed thoughts, self compassion, coping with anxiety and anger, addressing our own tendency towards tribalism and cruelty, our imagination and fantasies, our curiosity, moving from self criticism to self shame, compassionate writing and much more besides. Some exercises are physical, some written, with or without set worksheets, and he invites the reader to open a journal for recording feelings, progress, set backs, poems, whatever becomes relevant through the training process. Bringing the compassion we learn into our own lives and into society will create a more fun world, with better lifestyles. "Our competitive edge economics is driving us all slightly crazy!" he writes.

The final chapter reflects on the social significance of compassionate mind training and is an essential message of the book. There are final worksheets to support and guide us as we continue our compassion training. It is a life long process. But training compassionate minds to build compassionate societies is vital and responsible work. He calls for a review of child education, and the need to introduce compassion, empathy and conflict resolution training for example into the classroom. There is the need for better more compassionate support for our children "in care." We need a more focused mature and compassionate politics, a return to compassionate care in the National Health Service, a change of business style from aggressive competition to compassionate cooperation. And he calls for us to support causes that promote a more compassionate world, locally and globally, including ethical investment, compassionate education, support and care for marginalized youth, Compassion in World Farming. These are just a few of his ideas and they follow such closely similar lines of thought to those in my own recent book, Healing this Wounded Earth: with Compassion, Spirit and the Power of Hope, that I find myself in total agreement with most if not all of what he says in this regard.

In the sheer depth and breadth of material covered, in its logical sequencing and detail of compassion training provided, this is a very good book. It is also well referenced and indexed and I liked the "Find Out More" list at the end of the book with useful books, websites, DVD's and CD's. But the book is too long. It was to say the least an arduous read, in spite of the easy engaging style employed. This style I think has sacrificed brevity.

I appreciate that Part One provides the understanding to support the training in Part Two, and that this training is a life long practice, to be taken step by step as gently and compassionately as necessary. But the sheer volume of material confronting the reader will very likely daunt those who are coming to this book from a position of depression or anxiety or self- criticism, hoping for healing. Gilbert does point out, well into the book at p. 347, that some will need to obtain further professional help and support. For those already in therapy, and for their therapists, it will doubtless be a very valuable tool.

Whereas Armstrong calls for bringing compassion back into the heart of moral and religious life, as set out in her Charter for Compassion, Gilbert does not believe in God as creator and clearly thinks that religions are at least potentially a part of our problem in the twenty first century world. Spiritual traditions over the centuries have tended to emphasize life as suffering from which we are trying to escape. But he demolishes ideas of religion and spirituality with, perhaps not surprisingly, a charm offensive, a gently persuasive logic that is a welcome departure from the strident, disdainful, even aggressive tones we hear from some militant atheist best sellers. Spirituality needs to be scientific and compassionate, he concludes.

Gilbert ends with a reminder that many millions of people across the world are working to make it a better place. He also refers to Barack Obama's inaugural speech that includes evidence of a "deep sense of compassion." These items together he believes can give us hope for a better more compassionate era, "maybe, just maybe."

Dr. Paul Gilbert has a rather unique background. As a teenager, he was an aspiring rock musician with an interest in economics and politics which he eventually studied at university. There, he became interested in the intersection of society's economic systems and human psychology, leading him in some roundabout way to field of evolutionary psychology. In recent years, he came across the psychological insights of Buddhism, particularly its teachings on compassion. The culmination of his research is a system called the "compassionate mind model" of therapy, which amalgamates the above influences into a strategy for navigating life in the 21st century with a mind-body complex that evolved millions of years ago.

All of this makes for a book that is as eclectic as its author's background. "The Compassionate Mind" brings all these seemingly disparate threads together into a seamless tapestry. Don't be intimidated by the length. Gilbert's writing keeps the reader engaged by alternating penetrating insight into the human mind and eloquent observations on the society we live in with a cheeky, conversational irreverence. A few examples:

- "Life can be tough and perplexing, can't it? Human history is full of stories and reflections on life's tragedies and suffering, as well of its joys and triumphs. Indeed, given the reality of the many challenges that life puts our way, it's hardly surprising that poets, playwrights, authors, artists, philosophers and spiritual seekers - well, just about most people, actually - have all pondered on how to understand life and make our relatively short ones here on Earth meaningful and happy. The challenges may come in the form of coping with our own emotions of fear, anxiety, anger or depression, or with the loss of loved ones, setbacks in our life plans, difficult relationships or painful memories... Then there's the issue of our own fragility in the face of viruses, bacteria, genetic error and injury, all of which can turn our lives or those of the people we love into painful tragedies and remind us of our own eventual decay and death. You can understand why humans were delighted when they discovered red wine!"

- "In fact, since the 1970s, the profit-maximization business model has infiltrated every aspect of our waking hours. In many facets of our lives, both personal and at work, we are consumed with meeting targets - the things we feel or are told we must do."

- "It is also said that the Buddha was also rather down on such desires and that he suggested that what would make us truly happy would be the elimination of desire. That does it for me then - I rather like my pleasures! I mean, no more Merlot?! However, thankfully, that's not what he said at all. "

- "Teenage males herded into armies and charging at each other using spears, arrows, bullets or bombs could be seen as courageous. But what about the suicide bombers who sacrifice themselves for what they believe to be a valid cause? In both cases there are issues of social pressure, fear or shame (in refusing), the seeking of social approval, rage, depression or even dissociated states in which one becomes oblivious to the danger and reality of the situation."

On one hand, one can grow somewhat impatient with Gilbert's tendency to spell out every possible nuance. On the other hand, this appreciation for the subtleties and messiness of the emotional life make Gilbert's book one of the most comprehensive and enlightening discussions of topics like anxiety, depression, and anger I've read. One could conceivably condense Gilbert's book to about half its length and still preserve its key points, but it would lose half of its therapeutic value in the process. Half the value is in Gilbert's examples and explorations of different scenarios and of course in the multitude of exercises throughout the second half of the book.

I read this book along with psychologist Christopher Germer's The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion. It would be impossible for me to choose one over the other. If you have one, you'll probably not need the other, but which you choose will depend on what you're looking for. Germer's book is more succinct and streamlined as a self-help manual. Both books tackle issues of shame, depression, anger, and anxiety through the cultivation of a more compassionate relationship with oneself and the emotional life. Gilbert incorporates more techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (particularly in his use of writing exercises and journaling) while Germer focuses on meditation (both mindfulness and compassion/loving-kindness meditation). Germer's book also does not have the social insights that comprise much of Gilbert's book.

Edit: December 6, 2010 - April of 2011 will see the release of a new book on self-compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff of the University of Texas in Austin. I note this because she seems to be a leading figure in the research on self-compassion (and, in fact, both Germer and Gilbert cite her work in their books). As such, her book may prove to be quite a significant contribution to the existing literature. (Interestingly, Neff and her husband were also the subjects of a documentary film called The Horse Boy about their journey to Mongolia to investigate a form of equine-assisted therapy for their son's autism.)

This book narrowed the gap between the "concept" of compassion and "how" to be compassion.

Compassion is not a new concept in spiritual and Buddhism. It has been talked again and again. But even the advanced masters have difficulties to practice compassion in their every action--- be fully compassion to oneself and following beings. This book is a good try to narrow the gap.--useful methods help you To put mindfulness and practice compassion in daily life.

This book cross biology, psychology, Buddhism, have solid scientific foundation, from evolution, genetic, and early environment and Buddhism concept, try to describe human condition-- very good try! It opened my eyes, we tend to be partial in our understanding. This book open a door of integrate different part of knowledge and try to see the universe in a whole picture.

I actually don't fully agree the author's understanding of Buddhism. I feel the book only interpret Buddhism in one aspect- compassion, and how to practice compassion to ourselves and better understand other's condition. yes, from compassion we transform our old mental habit and embrace new. This is about "this shore" . however, Buddhism is far beyond that, it's about complete wisdom and cross to the other shore-liberation, As the great Zen master HuiNeng describe the self as " purity, unmoving, self-sufficient, beyond birth and death, a source of all"

This definitely a 5 star book, and will be a great help for those try to understand mental, emotional structure and use compassion to enhance human condition and life itself.

Very scientific book explaining the neurology and chemistry of the brain and its formation by evolution in terms anyone can understand, with a focus on Buddhist psychology. Compassion Focused Therapy has worked for me unlike everything else in my 20 year nightmare in the mental hellth system for PTSD. I actually have PTSD from Buddhism, but I still could handle it. Part one explains all about why we have emotions and part two tells you how to manage them. There are lots of exercises on how to turn on the oxytocin contentment system in the body and turn off the cortesol fight-flight-freeze one that so many of us struggle with being on overdrive. In making his point about why we need to compassionate with ourselves, I became suicidal because the hardness of life ponts he made just triggered my desire to give up, just a head's up there. And if you are in alcoholism recovery there may be triggers for you when he talks so much about liking wine, again a head's up. Because it is a great book, the best how-to guide for living with being a human animal.