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  • Self-Compassion

  • The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
  • Written by: Kristin Neff
  • Narrated by: Xe Sands
  • Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (322 ratings)

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Self-Compassion

Written by: Kristin Neff
Narrated by: Xe Sands
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Publisher's Summary

From leading psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff comes a step-by-step guide explaining how to be more self-compassionate and achieve your dreams in life.

The relentless pursuit of high self-esteem has become a virtual religion - and a tyrannical one at that. Our ultracompetitive culture tells us we need to be constantly above average to feel good about ourselves, but there is always someone more attractive, successful, or intelligent than we are. And even when we do manage to grab hold of high self-esteem for a brief moment, we can't seem to keep it. Our sense of self-worth goes up and down like a ping-pong ball, rising and falling in lockstep with our latest success or failure.

Fortunately, there is an alternative to self-esteem that many experts believe is a better and more effective path to happiness: self-compassion. The research of Dr. Kristin Neff and other leading psychologists indicates that people who are compassionate toward their failings and imperfections experience greater well-being than those who repeatedly judge themselves. The feelings of security and self-worth provided by self-compassion are also highly stable, kicking in precisely when self-esteem falls down. This book powerfully demonstrates why it's so important to be self-compassionate and give yourself the same caring support you'd give to a good friend.

This groundbreaking work will show you how to let go of debilitating self-criticism and finally learn to be kind to yourself. Using solid empirical research, personal stories, practical exercises, and humor, Dr. Neff - the world's foremost expert on self-compassion - explains how to heal destructive emotional patterns so that you can be healthier, happier, and more effective. Engaging, highly listenable, and eminently accessible, this book has the power to change your life.

©2011 Kristin Neff, PhD (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

What listeners say about Self-Compassion

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Amazing

Kristin Neff is amazing and I loved this book. It helped me tremendously and has made an impact on my life. I am now taking a course with one of her students. Highly recommended.

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1 person found this helpful

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Beautiful, so worth the read.

This was such a beautiful book, one I’ll definitely reread, I feel more compassionate towards myself now. And this is coming from someone who is super hard on themselves and a recovering perfectionist. Anyhow, bless.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Good intro to this field

Enjoyed listening to this one as an audiobook. The narrator was engaging. Good as a starter book to self-compassion, though didn't offer as many tangible solutions as I would have liked. Enjoyed that it referenced specific scenarios, as well as pulled from research from big names in the field.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great read

The author reads at a good pace and with an enthusiasm of the material. Good energy!

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This book is a gift!

As a person who has been struggling with her own self worth and self compassion. It was a wonderful reminder Of how to forgive myself Because at the end of the day we are all only human.

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    5 out of 5 stars

I could not stop listing ing

I have a lot in common with the author and that stood out to me. I found it so relatable and needed to finally hear these words of self passion. I have not been very nice to myself and I see that now. It's time to heal.

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A worthwhile listen

A moving and inspiring synthesis of research, personal experience and try-for-yourself exercises that makes relevant a key component of personal growth through mindfulness and contemplation.

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Super good book

Love the author and the content of the book. This book helped me a lot.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Worth Reading but

This book has many exercises that are incredibly helpful to develop self compassion, and I recommend them highly. I also very much liked how Dr. Neff broke down the scientific research done on self compassion, particularly in how this practice is more beneficial than cultivating self esteem which, done wrongly, can be harmful. I had many aha moments while listening to this book. I gave it 4 stars and not 5 for three reasons: the narrator at times made me cringe with the occasional "poor baby" tone of voice, talking to myself saying "poor dear" can be a trap into victim mentality (as opposed to "hey, things are xyz right now and thats difficult" - same concept but more constructive), and some of the content was far too new agey and hippie for me (I call myself a hippie sometimes but this book has some new levels) like the part with the Mongolia trip and the whipping. I would recommend this book to a friend, I would use these concepts for myself, partner and step son, and I will listen to it a second time to take notes, this time skipping those parts that didn't resonate with me.

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6 people found this helpful

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fantastic book with the power to change lives

beautifully read by someone with compassion imbuing her every word. I felt very moved and touched by this book. I'm trying to use the advice of the author to improve my relationship with stress, my relationship to myself and my interpersonal relationships.

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