Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson Healing Shame with Compassion
Mar 18, 2019
Dr. Chris Germer, a clinical psychologist and Harvard lecturer, discusses the healing power of self-compassion to combat shame. He shares his transformative journey with mindfulness and emphasizes the need for a balanced, compassionate approach to emotional suffering. The conversation dives into how societal pressures influence masculinity and self-compassion, advocating for vulnerability as a strength. Germer’s insights highlight that embracing one’s pain with kindness can lead to resilience and healthier relationships.
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Therapist's Tears Open Healing
- Chris Germer experienced a breakthrough in therapy when his male therapist showed emotional resonance by crying along with him.
- This moment opened the door to deep healing and led him to mindfulness and compassion practices.
Compassion Completes Mindfulness
- Mindfulness without compassion can overload a person with difficult emotions like trauma.
- Compassion adds spaciousness and warmth, enabling us to hold suffering mindfully and skillfully.
Core Components of Self-Compassion
- Self-compassion combines mindfulness, common humanity, and kindness to form a loving, connected presence.
- Recognizing shared human suffering underpins compassionate care towards ourselves.