In this video Shayla Ortell, a psychotherapist and meditator, explains how she was introduced to kindness contemplations, how they have influenced her, and practical ways kindness practice can transform tasks of daily living. She also guides us in a practice to center, regain equanimity, and… Read More »Shayla Ortell on Kindness Contemplations
Kindness is the wish that others and ourselves encounter happiness and the causes of happiness. It is an uplifting feeling that can lift us out of depression and anger while opening our hearts. In this video, research on the benefits of kindness is explored and… Read More »Compassion’s COMPASS Module 6: Kindness
Each moment offers us a choice: we can follow our anger, hurt, and fear or we can choose courage, love, forgiveness, and compassion. In this amazing interview, Scarlett Lewis, author, and founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, shares her story of devastating loss,… Read More »Scarlett Lewis on Forgiveness
Resentment and anger block kindness and compassion. To move through our anger, it’s important to know strategies for corrective self-talk and forgiveness. Forgiveness skills are particularly useful when a grudge runs deep and is causing us internal distress. Forgiveness and trust are two different things:… Read More »Compassion’s COMPASS Module 5: Forgiveness
Gratitude can uplift us when we’re feeling depleted, worn down, and fatigued, It’s as easy as counting your blessings. In this video, Wes Smith, who has worked as a School Social Worker for over 25 years, shares his strategies for personal renewal in the face… Read More »Wes Smith, LCSW, on Gratitude and Well-Being
Gratitude can lift us up from emotional depletion and revitalize us when fatigued and worn down. For helping professionals, it can provide a protective buffer against compassion fatigue. Research on the benefits of gratitude and an easy way to practice it are shared in this… Read More »Compassion’s COMPASS Module 4: Gratitude
In this interview, Dr. Villodas shares her research findings on the relationship between connectedness and mental health, particularly as it impacts black youth and young adults who have had interactions with the Juvenile Justice System. The devastating effects of systemic racism are explored along with… Read More »Dr. Melissa Villodas on Connectedness and Mental Health
Equanimity sets the ground for developing a universal form of kindness and compassion by reducing and eliminating bias. Biased compassion can be harmful to those it excludes and marginalizes. Remembering our similarity to everyone in our basic wish to be happy and free from suffering… Read More »Compassion’s COMPASS Module 3: Equanimity
Peggy DiVincenzo has practiced vipassana meditation since 1980 and is a certified mindfulness instructor. She began teaching mindfulness in the context of individual and group psychotherapy beginning in 2003. In this interview, she talks about the impact that regular practice has had on her life… Read More »Peggy DiVincenzo on Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness, acceptance, self-compassion, and self-care set a foundation on which the other COMPASS skills can build. A regular practice of mindfulness can help in preventing and overcoming burnout, anxiety, depression, and other internal obstacles to building compassionate insight. Acceptance, self-compassion, and self-care create a safe… Read More »Compassion’s COMPASS Module 2: The Foundation Practice of Mindfulness