gilbert cip2012

Compassion Focused TherapyCompassion Focused Therapy

Groningen April 20thGroningen April 20th

Paul Gilbert PhD, FBPsS, OBE Paul Gilbert PhD, FBPsS, OBE

Mental Health Research UnitMental Health Research Unit, , Kingsway Kingsway Hospital Derby Hospital Derby

[email protected]@derby.ac.uk

www. compassionatemind.co.ukwww. compassionatemind.co.uk

www.compassionatelbeing.comwww.compassionatelbeing.com

Why do we need Compassion?Why do we need Compassion?

Life is HardLife is Hard

CollaboratorsCollaborators

Jean GilbertJean Gilbert

Kirsten McEwanKirsten McEwan

Corinne GaleCorinne Gale

Chris IronsChris Irons

Marcela MaratosMarcela Maratos

David Zuroff David Zuroff

Allison KellyAllison Kelly

Compassion??Compassion??

•• Specific feelings and actsSpecific feelings and acts

•• Desires to be a certain king of selfDesires to be a certain king of self

That which arises from deep insight into the That which arises from deep insight into the

nature of our nature of our ‘‘realityreality’’

•• Buddhist view Buddhist view

•• Evolutionary viewEvolutionary view

Compassion begins with a reality checkCompassion begins with a reality check

We are an emergent species in the We are an emergent species in the ‘‘flow of lifeflow of life’’ so so our brains, with their motives, emotions and our brains, with their motives, emotions and competencies are products of evolution, designed to competencies are products of evolution, designed to function in certain waysfunction in certain ways

Our lives are short (25,000Our lives are short (25,000--30,000 days), decay and 30,000 days), decay and end. We are subject to various malfunctions and end. We are subject to various malfunctions and diseases diseases –– in a genetic lottery. Everything changes in a genetic lottery. Everything changes ––the nature of impermanence the nature of impermanence –– the nature of tragedythe nature of tragedy

The social circumstances of our lives, over which we The social circumstances of our lives, over which we have no control, have major implications for the have no control, have major implications for the kinds of minds we have, the kind of person we kinds of minds we have, the kind of person we become, the values we endorse, and the lives we live become, the values we endorse, and the lives we live

The human brain is the product of many millions of years of The human brain is the product of many millions of years of

evolutionevolution –– a process of conserving, modifying and a process of conserving, modifying and

adaptingadapting

Sources of behaviourSources of behaviour

EmotionsFear, Anxiety, Anger, Lust, Joy

Social MotivesCloseness, Belonging, Sex, Status, Respect

Old BrainOld Brain

Old Brain Psychologies Sources of behaviourSources of behaviour

New BrainNew BrainImagination,

Planning, Anticipation

Rumination, Reflection

Purposeful focusing of the mind

Integration

Self Identity

New Brian AbilitiesNew Brian Abilities

Getting Getting ‘‘SmartSmart’’


Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship

Seeking-Creating

Archetypal

New Brain: Imagination,

Planning, Rumination, Integration

Interaction of old and new psychologies

Glitches

Thinking brain can cause serious problems in using Thinking brain can cause serious problems in using old affect and motive systemsold affect and motive systems


Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship Seeking-Creating

Archetypal




and mindful brain

Mindful Brain


Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship Seeking-Creating

COMPASSION




and mindful brain

Mindful Brain

So, Basic Philosophy is That:So, Basic Philosophy is That:

We all We all just find ourselvesjust find ourselves here with a brain, emotions and here with a brain, emotions and sense of (socially made) self we did not choose but have to sense of (socially made) self we did not choose but have to figure outfigure out

Life involves dealing with Life involves dealing with tragediestragedies (threats, losses, (threats, losses, diseases, decay, death) and people do the best they candiseases, decay, death) and people do the best they can

Much of what goes on in our minds is not of Much of what goes on in our minds is not of ‘‘our designour design’’and not our faultand not our fault

Compassion rooted in deep insight of what Compassion rooted in deep insight of what we are all in this we are all in this ‘‘sufferingsuffering’’ together together ––

IItt’’s a set up!s a set up!

Understanding our Motives and Understanding our Motives and

EmotionsEmotions

Motives evolved because they help animals to Motives evolved because they help animals to survive and leave genes behindsurvive and leave genes behind

Emotions guide us to our goals and respond if we Emotions guide us to our goals and respond if we are succeeding or threatenedare succeeding or threatened

There are three types of emotion regulationThere are three types of emotion regulation

1.1. Those that focus on threat and selfThose that focus on threat and self--protectionprotection

2.2. Those that focus on doing and achievingThose that focus on doing and achieving

3.3. Those that focus on contentment and feeling safeThose that focus on contentment and feeling safe

Types of Affect Regulator Types of Affect Regulator

SystemsSystems

Incentive/resource-

focused

Wanting, pursuing,

achieving

Activating

Non-wanting/

Affiliative focused

Safeness-kindness

Soothing

Threat-focused

Protection and

Safety-seeking

Activating/inhibiting

Anger, anxiety, disgustAnger, anxiety, disgust

Drive, excite, vitalityDrive, excite, vitality Content, safe, connectedContent, safe, connected

Types of Affect Regulator Types of Affect Regulator

SystemsSystems

Incentive/resource-

focused

Wanting, pursuing,

achieving

Activating

Non-wanting/

Affiliative focused

Safeness-kindness

Soothing

Threat-focused

Protection and

Safety-seeking




Perry B (2002) Childhood Experience and the Expression of

Genetic Potential: What Childhood Neglect Tells Us About Nature and Nurture Brain and Mind 3:79–100, 2002.

Safeness,Safeness,

Affiliation and Affiliation and affect regulationaffect regulation

Types of Affect Regulator SystemsTypes of Affect Regulator Systems

Incentive/resource-

focused

Wanting, pursuing,

achieving

Activating

Non-wanting/

Affiliative focused

Safeness-kindness

Soothing

Threat-focused

Protection and

Safety-seeking




The Mammalian Importance of The Mammalian Importance of

Caring MindsCaring Minds

Caring as Caring as ““looking afterlooking after””. Seeking closeness . Seeking closeness rather than dispersion. Individuals obtain rather than dispersion. Individuals obtain protection, food, and care when ill. Key also is protection, food, and care when ill. Key also is

soothingsoothing--calmingcalming and physiological regulation.and physiological regulation.

Few offspring but high survival rate in Few offspring but high survival rate in comparison to species without attachment, comparison to species without attachment, affection and kindnessaffection and kindness

Promotes courage and engagementPromotes courage and engagement

CoCo--operative and mutual support stimulates operative and mutual support stimulates affiliative systems and helps regulate threataffiliative systems and helps regulate threat

Study of Types of Positive AffectStudy of Types of Positive Affect

Participants asked how characteristic specific emotions Participants asked how characteristic specific emotions were for them (N = 203)were for them (N = 203)

0 = Not Ch.0 = Not Ch. 4 = Very Ch.4 = Very Ch.

EnergeticEnergetic 00 11 22 33 44

ExcitedExcited 00 11 22 33 44

RelaxedRelaxed 00 11 22 33 44

SafeSafe 00 11 22 33 44

Types of Positive affectTypes of Positive affect Factor

Items 1 2 3

Energetic .802 .217 .225

Lively .782 .117 .351

Adventurous .642 .265 .148

Active .608 .274 .192

Enthusiastic .600 .159 .392

Dynamic .584 .282 .267

Excited .552 .214 .289

Eager .401 .032 .244

Relaxed

.262

.794

.258

Peaceful .222 .747 .424

Calm .191 .675 .445

Tranquil .186 .664 .395

Laid back .169 .601 .241

Serene .221 .548 .339

Safe

.214

.426

.740

Content .310 .494 .702

Secure .362 .422 .606

Warm .231 .166 .503

CorrelationsCorrelations

DepDep AnxietyAnxiety StressStress

ActivatedActivated --0.17*0.17* --0.16*0.16* --0.080.08

--0.27**0.27** --0.15*0.15* --0.20**0.20**

RelaxedRelaxed --0.30**0.30** --0.22**0.22** --0.38**0.38**

--0.22**0.22** --0.17*0.17* --0.37**0.37**

Safeness Safeness --0.38**0.38** --0.29 ** 0.29 ** --0.33**0.33**

--0.47**0.47** --0.27**0.27** --.041**.041**

Between self and others

ThreatAffiliative/ Soothing

Calms

120 Million year evolving system to regulate threat120 Million year evolving system to regulate threat

Self-to selfSelf to self

Physiological SystemsPhysiological Systems

Major physiological systems that are focused on Major physiological systems that are focused on attachment and affiliation attachment and affiliation –– e.g., oxytocin e.g., oxytocin

•• Facilitates monogamous bondingFacilitates monogamous bonding

•• Facilitates conspecific recognitionFacilitates conspecific recognition

•• Facilitates attachmentFacilitates attachment

•• Increases trustIncreases trust

•• Increases competencies in mind reading tasks Increases competencies in mind reading tasks

•• Increases feelings of liking othersIncreases feelings of liking others

•• Reduces activation in the amygdala to threat facesReduces activation in the amygdala to threat faces

Source Macdonald and Madonald 2010 The Peptide That Binds: A SysSource Macdonald and Madonald 2010 The Peptide That Binds: A Systematic tematic Review of Oxytocin and its Prosocial Effects in Humans Review of Oxytocin and its Prosocial Effects in Humans Harvard Review of Harvard Review of PsychiatryPsychiatry 11--2121

Compassion SolutionsCompassion Solutions

Ancient wisdom Ancient wisdom Compassion is the road to Compassion is the road to

happiness (Buddhismhappiness (Buddhism))

Evolution Evolution Evolution has made our brains highly Evolution has made our brains highly

sensitive to external and internal kindnesssensitive to external and internal kindness

NeuroscienceNeuroscience Specific brain areas are focused on Specific brain areas are focused on

detecting and responding to kindness and detecting and responding to kindness and

compassioncompassion

Social and developmental; psychologySocial and developmental; psychology History of History of

affiliation affects brain maturation, emotion affiliation affects brain maturation, emotion

regulation, prosocial behaviour and sense of selfregulation, prosocial behaviour and sense of self

CompassionCompassion

Compassion can be defined in many ways: Compassion can be defined in many ways: ““As As a sensitivity to the suffering of self and others a sensitivity to the suffering of self and others with a deep commitment to try to relieve and with a deep commitment to try to relieve and preventprevent itit”” Dalai LamaDalai Lama

Now there is increasing focus on what Now there is increasing focus on what compassion and is and how it workscompassion and is and how it works

What do we need to feel compassion?

CaringCaring--Compassionate MindCompassionate Mind

Care for Care for

wellwell--beingbeing

SensitivitySensitivity SympathySympathy

Distress Distress

tolerancetolerance

EmpathyEmpathyNonNon--JudgementJudgement


ATTRIBUTESWarmthWarmth

WarmthWarmth

WarmthWarmth

WarmthWarmth

Distress tolerant and empathyDistress tolerant and empathy

NonNon--judgement judgement –– we all strugglewe all struggleCaringCaring--Compassionate MindCompassionate Mind

Imagery

Attention Reasoning

Feeling Behaviour

Sensory

Care for

well-being

Sensitivity Sympathy

Distress

tolerance

EmpathyNon-Judgement


ATTRIBUTES

SKILLS -TRAINING

WarmthWarmth

WarmthWarmth

WarmthWarmth

WarmthWarmth

Focus of Compassion Focus of Compassion

Two very Different PsychologiesTwo very Different Psychologies

11 Inner circle awareness engagement and Inner circle awareness engagement and

understanding understanding –– engaging with difficult engaging with difficult

emotionsemotions

2 Outer circle focus on alleviations, changing 2 Outer circle focus on alleviations, changing

lovingloving--kindness and enthusiasm kindness and enthusiasm –– engaging engaging

with positive and affiliative emotionswith positive and affiliative emotions

Compassion BehaviourCompassion Behaviour

Commonly MisunderstoodCommonly MisunderstoodDevelop kindness, support and encouragement to promote Develop kindness, support and encouragement to promote

the courage we need the courage we need -- to take the actions we need to take the actions we need –– in order in order

to promote the flourishing and wellto promote the flourishing and well--being of ourselves and being of ourselves and

othersothers

The agoraphobic develops the courage to go out and expose The agoraphobic develops the courage to go out and expose

themselves to fear; the abused wife leaves her violent themselves to fear; the abused wife leaves her violent

husband; the depressed person works on the fear of husband; the depressed person works on the fear of

emotion, the traumatised person engages with emotion, the traumatised person engages with ‘‘healinghealing’’

their memoriestheir memories

Hence the importance of building CAPACITYHence the importance of building CAPACITY

Compassionate ProcessCompassionate Process

Mindful Compassionate EngagementMindful Compassionate Engagement

Motivation, sensitivity, sympathy, distress tolerance, Motivation, sensitivity, sympathy, distress tolerance,

empathy nonjudgement/acceptanceempathy nonjudgement/acceptance

Mindful Compassionate AlleviationMindful Compassionate Alleviation

Motivation, attention, thinking, behaviour, feeling, Motivation, attention, thinking, behaviour, feeling,

imagery, sensory focusingimagery, sensory focusing

WisdomWisdom

CourageCourage

Build compassionate capacity for engaging and changingBuild compassionate capacity for engaging and changing

Problems with CompassionProblems with Compassion

•• Problems of the inner circle with: Motivation; Problems of the inner circle with: Motivation; attention/sensitivity; sympathy, distress attention/sensitivity; sympathy, distress tolerance; empathy; and judgingtolerance; empathy; and judging

•• Problems with the positive and afiliative Problems with the positive and afiliative emotions emotions –– linked to the problems with the linked to the problems with the soothing affiliative systems. soothing affiliative systems.

•• Linked to attachment history/style?? Peer Linked to attachment history/style?? Peer attachment/style??attachment/style??

Compassionate mind/mentalityCompassionate mind/mentality

AttentionAttentionThinkingThinking

ReasoningReasoning

BehaviourBehaviour

MotivationMotivation EmotionsEmotions

Imagery Imagery FantasyFantasy CompassionCompassion

Competitive mind can block CompassionCompetitive mind can block Compassion


ReasoningReasoning

BehaviourBehaviour


Imagery Imagery FantasyFantasy CompeteCompete

Threatened mind can block Threatened mind can block compassioncompassion


ReasoningReasoning

BehaviourBehaviour


Imagery Imagery FantasyFantasy ThreatThreat

Compassion as FlowCompassion as Flow

Different practices for eachDifferent practices for each

Other Other SelfSelf

SelfSelf OtherOther

Self Self SelfSelf

Evidence that Evidence that intentionallyintentionally practicing each of these can practicing each of these can

have impacts on mental states and social behaviourhave impacts on mental states and social behaviour

DataData•• Practice of imagining compassion for others produces changes in Practice of imagining compassion for others produces changes in

frontal cortex and immune system (Lutz et al, 2009)frontal cortex and immune system (Lutz et al, 2009)

•• Loving kindness meditation (compassion directed to self, then Loving kindness meditation (compassion directed to self, then others, then strangers) increases positive emotions, mindfulnessothers, then strangers) increases positive emotions, mindfulness, , feelings of purpose in life and social support and decreases illfeelings of purpose in life and social support and decreases illness ness symptoms (Frederickson et al, 2008, JPSP)symptoms (Frederickson et al, 2008, JPSP)

•• Compassion meditation (6 weeks) improves immune function, and Compassion meditation (6 weeks) improves immune function, and neuroendocrine and behavioural responses to stress (Pace, 2008, neuroendocrine and behavioural responses to stress (Pace, 2008, PNE)PNE)

•• Viewing sad faces, neutrally or with a compassionate attitude Viewing sad faces, neutrally or with a compassionate attitude influences neurophysiological responses to faces (Jiinfluences neurophysiological responses to faces (Ji--Woong Kim, Woong Kim, 2009, NP)2009, NP)

•• Compassion training reduces shame and selfCompassion training reduces shame and self--criticism in chronic criticism in chronic depressed patients (Gilbert & Proctor, 2006, CPP)depressed patients (Gilbert & Proctor, 2006, CPP)

Compassion Behaviour as Compassion Behaviour as CCourageourage

Develop kindness, support and encouragement to promote Develop kindness, support and encouragement to promote

the courage we need the courage we need -- to take the actions we need to take the actions we need –– in order in order

to promote the flourishing and wellto promote the flourishing and well--being of ourselves and being of ourselves and

othersothers

The agoraphobic develops the courage to go out and expose The agoraphobic develops the courage to go out and expose

themselves to fear; the abused wife leaves her violent themselves to fear; the abused wife leaves her violent

husband; the depressed person works on the fear of husband; the depressed person works on the fear of

emotion, the traumatised person engages with emotion, the traumatised person engages with ‘‘healinghealing’’

their memoriestheir memories

Hence the importance of building affiliative CAPACITY to Hence the importance of building affiliative CAPACITY to

work on the painful things work on the painful things –– not ascent to angelic statusnot ascent to angelic status

Compassionate and selfCompassionate and self--image goals were assessed with 13 items. All items image goals were assessed with 13 items. All items began with the phrase, began with the phrase, ““In the past week, in the area of friendships, how In the past week, in the area of friendships, how much did you want to or try to,much did you want to or try to,”” and items were rated on a scale ranging and items were rated on a scale ranging from 1 (from 1 (not at allnot at all) to 5 () to 5 (alwaysalways). ).

Seven items assessed compassionate goals, namely, Seven items assessed compassionate goals, namely, ““be supportive of others,be supportive of others,””““have compassion for othershave compassion for others’’ mistakes and weaknesses,mistakes and weaknesses,”” ““avoid doing avoid doing anything that would be harmful to others,anything that would be harmful to others,”” ““make a positive difference in make a positive difference in someone elsesomeone else’’s life,s life,”” ““be constructive in your comments to others,be constructive in your comments to others,”” ““avoid avoid being selfish or selfbeing selfish or self--centered,centered,”” and and ““avoid doing things that arenavoid doing things that aren’’t helpful to t helpful to me or others.me or others.””

Six items assessed selfSix items assessed self--image goals, namely, image goals, namely, ““get others to recognize or get others to recognize or acknowledge your positive qualities,acknowledge your positive qualities,”” ““convince others that you are right,convince others that you are right,””““avoid showing your weaknesses,avoid showing your weaknesses,”” ““avoid the possibility of being wrong,avoid the possibility of being wrong,””““avoid being rejected by others,avoid being rejected by others,”” and and ““avoid taking risks or making avoid taking risks or making mistakes.mistakes.””

Crocker, Crocker, J & J & Canevello, A (2008) Canevello, A (2008) Creating and undermining social support Creating and undermining social support in communal relationships: The role of compassionate and selfin communal relationships: The role of compassionate and self--image goals. image goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 95(3), Sep 200Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 95(3), Sep 2008, 5558, 555--575575

Findings Findings (N 199)(N 199)

Average compassionate goals predicted closeness, clear Average compassionate goals predicted closeness, clear and connected feelings, and increased social support and and connected feelings, and increased social support and trust over the semester; selftrust over the semester; self--image goals attenuated these image goals attenuated these effects. effects.

Average selfAverage self--image goals predicted conflict, loneliness, image goals predicted conflict, loneliness, and afraid and confused feelings; compassionate goals and afraid and confused feelings; compassionate goals attenuated these effects.attenuated these effects.

People with compassionate goals create a supportive People with compassionate goals create a supportive environment for themselves and others, but only if they do environment for themselves and others, but only if they do not have high selfnot have high self--image goalsimage goals

Crocker, Crocker, J & J & Canevello, A (2008) Canevello, A (2008) Creating and undermining social Creating and undermining social support in communal relationships: The role of compassionate andsupport in communal relationships: The role of compassionate andselfself--image goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol image goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 95(3), Sep 2008, 55595(3), Sep 2008, 555--575575

Fear of Fear of


Kindness, Attachment and ThreatKindness, Attachment and Threat

Kindness from therapist or imageryKindness from therapist or imagery

Activate attachment systemActivate attachment system

Activate memoriesActivate memories

NeglectNeglect

alonenessaloneness

Abuse, shame Abuse, shame vulnerablevulnerable

ActivateActivate learnt and current defences learnt and current defences -- cortisolcortisol

Fight, flightFight, flight

shut downshut down

Fight, flightFight, flight

shut downshut down

TreatmentTreatment

•• Attendance one of two programmesAttendance one of two programmes

•• Patients invited to take part in a research trial of Patients invited to take part in a research trial of

CMT at community meetingsCMT at community meetings

•• Criteria for inclusion were mid treatment (six months Criteria for inclusion were mid treatment (six months

to one year), well engaged with the service and to have to one year), well engaged with the service and to have

selfself--attacking, negative thoughtsattacking, negative thoughts

•• Nine patients agreed to take part in the study (five Nine patients agreed to take part in the study (five

men and four women)men and four women)

•• Three did not complete the study: hence six completed Three did not complete the study: hence six completed

•• Twelve two hour sessionsTwelve two hour sessions

•• Gradual process of developing compassionate imagery Gradual process of developing compassionate imagery

and soothing exercises and then engaging with self and soothing exercises and then engaging with self

critical thinking critical thinking

Data From Group StudyData From Group Study

Pre and Post Compassionate Mind

Training

10.2

18.8

54.2 56.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Self criticism Self compassion

Scale

Before

After

Data From Group StudyData From Group Study

HADS

10.33

(2.67)

14.67

(3.78)

4.3

(2.73)

6.83

(2.93)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Anxiety Depression

Subscale

Score Before

After

ReflectionsReflections

I would just like to tell you all here today what (CMT) I would just like to tell you all here today what (CMT) means to me. It seemed to awaken a part of my brain that means to me. It seemed to awaken a part of my brain that I was not aware existed.I was not aware existed.

The feeling of only ever having compassion for other The feeling of only ever having compassion for other people and never ever contemplating having any for people and never ever contemplating having any for myself.myself.

Suddenly realising that itSuddenly realising that it’’s always been there, just that I s always been there, just that I have never knew how to use it towards myself.have never knew how to use it towards myself.

It was such a beautiful, calming feeling to know it was Ok It was such a beautiful, calming feeling to know it was Ok to feel like this towards myself without feeling guilty or to feel like this towards myself without feeling guilty or bad about it.bad about it.

Being able to draw on this when I was frightened and Being able to draw on this when I was frightened and confused, to calm myself down and to put things in confused, to calm myself down and to put things in prospective and say to myself prospective and say to myself ““ITIT’’S OK TO FEEL LIKE S OK TO FEEL LIKE THIS. THIS.

ReflectionsReflections

Having compassion for myself means I feel so much more at Having compassion for myself means I feel so much more at peace with myself. Knowing that it is a normal way of life to peace with myself. Knowing that it is a normal way of life to have compassion for myself and ithave compassion for myself and it’’s not an abnormal way of s not an abnormal way of thinking, but a very healthy way of thinking. It felt like I thinking, but a very healthy way of thinking. It felt like I was training my mind to switch to this mode when I start to was training my mind to switch to this mode when I start to feel bad about myself or life situations were starting to get feel bad about myself or life situations were starting to get on top of me.on top of me.

What is striking about this, and what other participants What is striking about this, and what other participants thought, was how much they had (previously) felt that being thought, was how much they had (previously) felt that being selfself--compassionate and empathic to onecompassionate and empathic to one’’s distress was a selfs distress was a self--indulgence or weakness and definitely not something to indulgence or weakness and definitely not something to cultivate.cultivate.

ConclusionConclusion

Attachment and affiliation evolved as a major threat Attachment and affiliation evolved as a major threat

regulator regulator –– mental and physical help and positive mental and physical help and positive

social relationships are underpinned by themsocial relationships are underpinned by them

These systems have become compromised in many folk These systems have become compromised in many folk

with affective disturbances with affective disturbances ––

and even in our competitive societies themselvesand even in our competitive societies themselves

Our future will be influenced by how compassionately Our future will be influenced by how compassionately

focused we become in how we live our internal lives focused we become in how we live our internal lives

and create societiesand create societies

Where next in Compassion?Where next in Compassion?

•• Compassion is a complex and multifaceted process Compassion is a complex and multifaceted process that organises our mindsthat organises our minds

•• Still ongoing debates about key elements although Still ongoing debates about key elements although

motivation and intention are central motivation and intention are central

•• Compassion should be distinguished from sympathy Compassion should be distinguished from sympathy empathy, kindness but rooted in affect regulation empathy, kindness but rooted in affect regulation systemssystems

•• Genuine compassion that involves equanimity, Genuine compassion that involves equanimity,

openness and empathic competencies and that openness and empathic competencies and that changes psychological and physiological processes changes psychological and physiological processes should be distinguished from automatic kindness should be distinguished from automatic kindness and concerns with self presentationand concerns with self presentation

Evolved Systems and Types of MindEvolved Systems and Types of Mind

Basic emotion regulation: Basic emotion regulation: Threat; Seeking, and Threat; Seeking, and Contentment/Soothing Contentment/Soothing

Basic Social Motivational Basic Social Motivational and Role Seeking Systems: and Role Seeking Systems:

Status; Sex; CaringStatus; Sex; Caring

Cognitive/metaCognitive/meta--cognitive cognitive symbol systems: symbol systems: Thinking mindThinking mind

Self and Social Identity: Self and Social Identity: Automatic vs the chosen/ Automatic vs the chosen/

trained selftrained self

Interacting Interacting

processing processing

systemssystems

Patterned Patterned

by by

experiencesexperiences

Where next in CompassionWhere next in Compassion

•• Training compassion is much more complex than it Training compassion is much more complex than it appears and requires substantial researchappears and requires substantial research

•• Training needs to take in not only the level of competencies Training needs to take in not only the level of competencies but also blocks and fears to compassionbut also blocks and fears to compassion

•• Training based in the Tibetan traditions have a series of Training based in the Tibetan traditions have a series of stepssteps

•• Training based in psychotherapy research may have Training based in psychotherapy research may have similar steps or different ones similar steps or different ones ––ways of developing specific ways of developing specific physiological systems that support compassion such as physiological systems that support compassion such as oxytocin supplementation require further research oxytocin supplementation require further research

ConclusionConclusion

•• Many physiological systems function best under Many physiological systems function best under conditions of social affiliation and safenessconditions of social affiliation and safeness

•• Must distinguish between different types of positive affect Must distinguish between different types of positive affect

•• The balance of threat based emotions to positive ones The balance of threat based emotions to positive ones (depressed anxious and hostile) are linked to social (depressed anxious and hostile) are linked to social safeness and affiliationsafeness and affiliation

•• The study and promotion of internal and external The study and promotion of internal and external afiliation should be a priority afiliation should be a priority ---- and understanding the and understanding the evolutionary roots and brain mechanisms for affiliation evolutionary roots and brain mechanisms for affiliation will play a key role in this endeavourwill play a key role in this endeavour

Showing we careShowing we care

gilbert cip2012

Technology