Evolution, Compassion and The Evolution, Compassion and The New SpiritualitiesNew Spiritualities

Paul Gilbert PhD FBPsSPaul Gilbert PhD FBPsSMental Health Research UnitMental Health Research Unit

Derby UniversityDerby Universityand Mental Health Trustand Mental Health Trust

Kingsway Hospital Kingsway HospitalDerbyDerby

compassionatemind.co.ukcompassionatemind.co.uk

New Spiritual FocusNew Spiritual Focus Alistair Hardy explored lived experiencesAlistair Hardy explored lived experiences

““Have you ever been aware of, or influenced by a power, Have you ever been aware of, or influenced by a power, whether you call it God or not, which is different from your whether you call it God or not, which is different from your

everyday self”everyday self”

Expansiveness - beyond the self or current realityExpansiveness - beyond the self or current reality

Connectedness - peacefulnessConnectedness - peacefulness

Environment and sensory cuesEnvironment and sensory cues

Reorganises self-valuesReorganises self-values

Religion and SpiritualitiesReligion and Spiritualities

The word religion comes from the Latin The word religion comes from the Latin religierereligiere meaning meaning to reconnectto reconnect

Religious schools and beliefs focus on forms of Religious schools and beliefs focus on forms of connectedness and meaningconnectedness and meaning

Forms of connectedness are shaped via innate Forms of connectedness are shaped via innate mechanisms for understanding social rolesmechanisms for understanding social roles

God images shaped by socio-economic processes –e.g., God images shaped by socio-economic processes –e.g., help in warfare or nurture harvests.help in warfare or nurture harvests.

What Shapes the forms for Religion What Shapes the forms for Religion and Spiritualities?and Spiritualities?

Heath, Bell and Sternberg (2001) point out that to adopt a Heath, Bell and Sternberg (2001) point out that to adopt a belief system, like a belief in witchcraft, God, or the power belief system, like a belief in witchcraft, God, or the power of compassion, the focus must be on something that is of compassion, the focus must be on something that is relevant to a person and have certain qualities and relevant to a person and have certain qualities and functions functions

Public engagementPublic engagement

Personal endorsementPersonal endorsement

Nature of threat (physical, isolation, meaning, control)Nature of threat (physical, isolation, meaning, control)

Religion and spiritualitiesReligion and spiritualities

* Usually contains messages about types of * Usually contains messages about types of threatthreat and how and how to deal with them (e.g., have to develop a relationship with to deal with them (e.g., have to develop a relationship with them to win them over) them to win them over)

* Is transpersonal (affects others)* Is transpersonal (affects others)

* Must fit with the ecological needs of the group (e.g., * Must fit with the ecological needs of the group (e.g., developing beliefs in Gods of the sea are relevant to sea developing beliefs in Gods of the sea are relevant to sea farers but not land locked peoples)farers but not land locked peoples)

* Guides social behaviours and informs rituals; it is * Guides social behaviours and informs rituals; it is emotionally textured, and it provides a sense of group emotionally textured, and it provides a sense of group coherence and belonging (believing in the same things)coherence and belonging (believing in the same things)

Place in Historical and Cultural ContextsPlace in Historical and Cultural Contexts Soul Concepts –Relational (Single or Multiple Gods)Soul Concepts –Relational (Single or Multiple Gods)

Vadic traditionVadic tradition – Life as a journey - soul progresses/evolves – Life as a journey - soul progresses/evolves via learning via trails -- re-incarnationvia learning via trails -- re-incarnationArabic traditionArabic tradition - World is where one is tested: Good go to - World is where one is tested: Good go to heaven and bad are punishedheaven and bad are punishedGreek/RomanGreek/Roman - We are play things of the Gods: can aspire to - We are play things of the Gods: can aspire to join the elite – nice and unpleasant places after deathjoin the elite – nice and unpleasant places after deathChristianity Christianity - Introduces family and attachment psychology- Introduces family and attachment psychology

PantheismPantheism God Consciousness pervades all - Material world (including God Consciousness pervades all - Material world (including humans) are patterns of its formhumans) are patterns of its form

God AS….. God AS…..

God as beyond human reason and human God as beyond human reason and human understanding - the unknown (as in Aristotle) versus understanding - the unknown (as in Aristotle) versus God as human-like with feelings, passions and desires God as human-like with feelings, passions and desires - issue of projection vs empathy- issue of projection vs empathy

God as awakening via the consciousness of humans God as awakening via the consciousness of humans (as in Jung) versus God as already fully formed and (as in Jung) versus God as already fully formed and conscious and in the process of revealing himself toconscious and in the process of revealing himself to usus

God as accessible only via deep mediation, intuition God as accessible only via deep mediation, intuition and mystical knowledge versus God who relies on and mystical knowledge versus God who relies on science, reason and philosophy to reveal himselfscience, reason and philosophy to reveal himself

God as a personal and available deity with whom we God as a personal and available deity with whom we can personally relate versus God as an impersonal, can personally relate versus God as an impersonal, pantheistic force (as in Star Wars movies; or Buddha pantheistic force (as in Star Wars movies; or Buddha consciousness)consciousness)

God as a Performer of FunctionsGod as a Performer of Functions

Social Regulator (social function)Social Regulator (social function)

Law giver/judgeLaw giver/judge

Leader/protectorLeader/protector

Ultimate authority/power to reward/punishUltimate authority/power to reward/punish

The more threatened groups feel the more submissive The more threatened groups feel the more submissive behaviour and obedience dominates the forms behaviour and obedience dominates the forms

Personal Self/Object (personal function)Personal Self/Object (personal function)

FatherFather

SootherSoother

SaviourSaviourBlade Runner – kill the creatorBlade Runner – kill the creator

Jung “save us from what”Jung “save us from what”

Forms of SpiritualityForms of Spirituality

Relational SpiritualitiesRelational Spiritualities

Solutions to external threat – Solutions to external threat – meaning and safenessmeaning and safeness

Social mentalities/relational Social mentalities/relational mind, dialogicalmind, dialogical

Held in mind of a ‘powerful’ Held in mind of a ‘powerful’ other - protectionother - protection

Attachment, gratitude, Attachment, gratitude, submissive, appeasement submissive, appeasement devotion, group loyaltydevotion, group loyalty

Forgiveness (de-shame), Forgiveness (de-shame), atonement, acceptance, love atonement, acceptance, love meaning, re-union, coming meaning, re-union, coming homehome

Internal SpiritualitiesInternal Spiritualities

Solution to internal threats Solution to internal threats (unruly mind, attachment to (unruly mind, attachment to desires)desires)

Mind training (mediation) meta-Mind training (mediation) meta-cognitive mind, non-dialogicalcognitive mind, non-dialogical

Compassion - common Compassion - common humanityhumanity

Enlightenment into the true Enlightenment into the true nature of consciousness and free nature of consciousness and free from the wheel of reincarnationfrom the wheel of reincarnation

Evolution, ReligionEvolution, Religion

and Spiritualitiesand Spiritualities

DarwinDarwinDarwin’s theories emerge in industrial age – influenced by Darwin’s theories emerge in industrial age – influenced by both Malthus and economic thought -Species are both Malthus and economic thought -Species are transformed via the struggle for survival – not economic - transformed via the struggle for survival – not economic - but natural selectionbut natural selection

““Whatever the cause may be of each slight difference in the Whatever the cause may be of each slight difference in the offspring from their parents - and a cause for each must offspring from their parents - and a cause for each must exist – it is the steady exist – it is the steady accumulationaccumulation, through natural , through natural selection, of such differences, when beneficial to the selection, of such differences, when beneficial to the individual, that gives rise to all the more important individual, that gives rise to all the more important modifications of structuremodifications of structure, by which the innumerable , by which the innumerable beings on the face of the earth are enabled to beings on the face of the earth are enabled to struggle with struggle with each othereach other, and the best adapted to survive” (1859/1979, p. , and the best adapted to survive” (1859/1979, p.

203-4)203-4)

Innate and AcquiredInnate and Acquired(v) Genotype v) Genotype (v) Environment = (v) Phenotype (v) Environment = (v) Phenotype   GenotypesGenotypes are potential competencies for -are potential competencies for -

Examples: Language, attachment, defensive Examples: Language, attachment, defensive behavioursbehaviours

PhenotypesPhenotypes are the expressed or manifest are the expressed or manifest traits/outputs that are observable or measurabletraits/outputs that are observable or measurable

Examples: Styles of language, attachment.Examples: Styles of language, attachment.

Evolution, religion and spiritualitiesEvolution, religion and spiritualities

Evolution theory cannot be used to prove the existence or Evolution theory cannot be used to prove the existence or non-existence of Gods or supernatural realms e.g., God as non-existence of Gods or supernatural realms e.g., God as designer can set whole system up (e.g. the material designer can set whole system up (e.g. the material universe) with laws that facilitates the emergence of formsuniverse) with laws that facilitates the emergence of forms

We can use evolution theory and ‘knowledge of our minds’ We can use evolution theory and ‘knowledge of our minds’ to study the emergence of forms and minds that try to to study the emergence of forms and minds that try to understand the emergence of formsunderstand the emergence of forms

Our minds have evolved to cope with threats, acquire Our minds have evolved to cope with threats, acquire resources and reproduce – We have become ‘meaning-resources and reproduce – We have become ‘meaning-making’ ‘curious and seeking’ -- and we alone know that making’ ‘curious and seeking’ -- and we alone know that we will die and maybe cease to exist -we will die and maybe cease to exist -

Self-ProtectionSelf-Protection

In species without attachment only 1-2% make it to In species without attachment only 1-2% make it to adulthood to reproduce. Threats come from adulthood to reproduce. Threats come from ecologies, food shortage, predation, injury, disease. ecologies, food shortage, predation, injury, disease. At birth individuals must be able to “go it alone” be At birth individuals must be able to “go it alone” be mobile and dispersemobile and disperse

Mind evolved with a range of special systems for Mind evolved with a range of special systems for self-defense that fuel raid onset emotions (fear, self-defense that fuel raid onset emotions (fear, anger disgust) and behaviour [fight flight, submit anger disgust) and behaviour [fight flight, submit

expel].expel].

Self-vs-others protectionSelf-vs-others protectionIn species without attachment only 1-2% makeIn species without attachment only 1-2% make it to it to adulthood to reproduce. Threats come from ecologies, adulthood to reproduce. Threats come from ecologies, food shortage, predation, injury, disease. At birth food shortage, predation, injury, disease. At birth individuals must be able to “go it alone” be mobile and individuals must be able to “go it alone” be mobile and dispersedisperse

Attachment as “looking after.” Individuals obtain Attachment as “looking after.” Individuals obtain protection, food and care when ill. Seeking closeness protection, food and care when ill. Seeking closeness rather than dispersion. Few offspring but high survival rather than dispersion. Few offspring but high survival rate.rate.

Co-operative and mutual support when ‘your’ Co-operative and mutual support when ‘your’ prosperity impacts on mineprosperity impacts on mine

Overview of an EvolutionaryOverview of an EvolutionaryJourneyJourney

AttachmentAttachment

ThreatThreat SafenessSafeness CompassionCompassion

Mutual supportMutual support

Self -RegulationSelf -Regulation

Types of Affect Regulator SystemsTypes of Affect Regulator Systems

Incentive/resource focused

Seeking and behaviour activating

Dopamine (?)

Affiliative focused

Soothing/safeness

Opiates (?)

Threat-focused safety seeking

Activating/inhibitingSerotonin (?)

Anger, anxiety disgustAnger, anxiety disgust

Drive, excite, vitalityDrive, excite, vitality Content, safe, connectContent, safe, connect

Evolution, Brain and Social RolesEvolution, Brain and Social Roles

Evolution and Social RolesEvolution and Social Roles

HumanHuman Symbolic thought and self-Symbolic thought and self-identity, theory of mind, identity, theory of mind, metacognitionmetacognition

MammalianMammalian Caring, group, alliance- Caring, group, alliance-

building, play, statusbuilding, play, status

ReptilianReptilian Territory, aggression, Territory, aggression, sex, huntingsex, hunting

Four Evolved Processing DomainsFour Evolved Processing DomainsThreat vs safe:Threat vs safe: All animals must decide this in their domain of All animals must decide this in their domain of existence. Links to evolved, basic emotions of threat (anger, existence. Links to evolved, basic emotions of threat (anger, anxiety, disgust) and basic emotions of safeness and rewardanxiety, disgust) and basic emotions of safeness and reward

Role forming:Role forming: mammals have specialised motivational and mammals have specialised motivational and processing systems that are role-focused (e.g. for attachment, processing systems that are role-focused (e.g. for attachment, friendship, and sex, similarity) friendship, and sex, similarity)

Human cognitive systems:Human cognitive systems: language, use symbols, use meta- language, use symbols, use meta-cognition, imagine/fantasise and inwardly model –access to…cognition, imagine/fantasise and inwardly model –access to…

Self-regulating systemsSelf-regulating systems: Self-evaluation, self-identities and : Self-evaluation, self-identities and self-to-self relatingself-to-self relating

Biosocial Goal and Social Mentality TheoryBiosocial Goal and Social Mentality Theory

Animals must engage in various ‘social tasks’ to secure Animals must engage in various ‘social tasks’ to secure their genes being represented in subsequent generations their genes being represented in subsequent generations

Evolution enables animals to communicate with each Evolution enables animals to communicate with each other and co-construct social roles for these tasksother and co-construct social roles for these tasks

Evolution provides mechanisms (motives, emotions Evolution provides mechanisms (motives, emotions cognitive and behavior systems) for role creation and it cognitive and behavior systems) for role creation and it is the is the organizationorganization of these elements that are key for of these elements that are key for competent social enactmentscompetent social enactments

The (human) organisation of social mentalities is The (human) organisation of social mentalities is choreographed via self-identity forming systems choreographed via self-identity forming systems

Social MentalitiesSocial Mentalities

Goals require attention directing and processing Goals require attention directing and processing systems that provide feedback for goal corrections systems that provide feedback for goal corrections

Social mentalities are thus the psychological steering Social mentalities are thus the psychological steering mechanisms for BioSocial Goalsmechanisms for BioSocial Goals

Social Mentalities choreograph and pattern emotions Social Mentalities choreograph and pattern emotions behaviours and cognitions according to how goal behaviours and cognitions according to how goal seeking has been successful, failed or punishedseeking has been successful, failed or punished

In constant process of blending and internal co-In constant process of blending and internal co-regulating and give rise to ‘States of Mind’regulating and give rise to ‘States of Mind’

Biosocial Goals and Social MentalitiesBiosocial Goals and Social Mentalities

Biosocial goals motivate movement towards co-creationsBiosocial goals motivate movement towards co-creations

Care seekingCare seeking Goal to obtain inputs from others that enhance Goal to obtain inputs from others that enhance prosperityprosperity

Care givingCare giving Goal is to engage with others that foster prosperity in Goal is to engage with others that foster prosperity in ‘the other ‘‘the other ‘

CooperationCooperation Goal is to share, building reciprocal alliances, make a Goal is to share, building reciprocal alliances, make a contribution and have a sense of belonging and contribution and have a sense of belonging and connectedness with othersconnectedness with others

CompetingCompeting Obtain and defend resources and control conducive to Obtain and defend resources and control conducive to prosperity prosperity

SexualSexual Attract and be attracted to others for sexual Attract and be attracted to others for sexual engagementengagement

Social mentalitiesSocial mentalitiesAre role focused and thus always include self-to-other and Are role focused and thus always include self-to-other and other-to-self -- we use each other for goal securingother-to-self -- we use each other for goal securing

Seek to co-construct roles via interactional ‘dances’Seek to co-construct roles via interactional ‘dances’

Pattern and choreograph social motives, emotions and Pattern and choreograph social motives, emotions and fantasiesfantasies

Mature with the unfolding of developmental abilitiesMature with the unfolding of developmental abilities

Pattern and choreograph physiological activityPattern and choreograph physiological activity

Blend together or conflict as self-identities emergeBlend together or conflict as self-identities emerge

Self-Other Role Co-CreationsSelf-Other Role Co-Creations

Care-seekingCare-seeking

Care-givingCare-giving

Co-operatingCo-operating

CompetingCompeting

SexualSexual

Self AsSelf As

Needing Needing seekingseeking

Providing Providing alleviatingalleviating

Sharing Sharing belongingbelonging

Power Power comparingcomparing

Attracting Attracting attractedattracted

Other ASOther ASProviding Providing alleviatingalleviating

Needing Needing seekingseeking

Sharing Sharing belongingbelonging

Power Power comparingcomparing

Attracting Attracting attractedattracted

Innate motivational (seeking) systems with range of emotional and Innate motivational (seeking) systems with range of emotional and cognitive processing systems that link to a ‘sense of self’’ A Self As……cognitive processing systems that link to a ‘sense of self’’ A Self As……

Monitoring Monitoring Threat/safenessThreat/safenessAvailability Availability accessaccess

Distress in other Distress in other empathyempathy

Similarity Similarity cheatingcheating

Relative power Relative power talents abilitiestalents abilities

AttractivenessAttractiveness

Self-vs-others protectionSelf-vs-others protectionIn species without attachment only 1-2% makeIn species without attachment only 1-2% make it to it to adulthood to reproduce. Threats come from ecologies, adulthood to reproduce. Threats come from ecologies, food shortage, predation, injury, disease. At birth food shortage, predation, injury, disease. At birth individuals must be able to “go it alone” be mobile and individuals must be able to “go it alone” be mobile and dispersedisperse

Caring and Attachment as “looking after.” Individuals Caring and Attachment as “looking after.” Individuals obtain protection, food and care when ill. Seeking obtain protection, food and care when ill. Seeking closeness rather than dispersion. Few offspring but high closeness rather than dispersion. Few offspring but high survival rate.survival rate.

Co-operative and mutual support when ‘your’ Co-operative and mutual support when ‘your’ prosperity impacts on mineprosperity impacts on mine

Care elicitingCare eliciting

This aspect of our nature is activated when we see This aspect of our nature is activated when we see ourselves in a state of need; a need that cannot (in ourselves in a state of need; a need that cannot (in the first instance) be satisfied by recourse to our the first instance) be satisfied by recourse to our own selves or human social relationships. When care own selves or human social relationships. When care eliciting motivates the religious relationship to God, eliciting motivates the religious relationship to God, God is constructed as a superior other, sometimes in God is constructed as a superior other, sometimes in the form of a parent (Father or Mother figure) to the form of a parent (Father or Mother figure) to whom we turn for love, help and understanding. Our whom we turn for love, help and understanding. Our ideal is for unconditional love. There is a yearning ideal is for unconditional love. There is a yearning for closeness, union, protection and rescue, and a for closeness, union, protection and rescue, and a fear of abandonment. We are rescued from the fear of abandonment. We are rescued from the oblivion of death by the fact of God. The upside is oblivion of death by the fact of God. The upside is that we may indeed find a way to create these that we may indeed find a way to create these feelings and satisfy our need for care and love; we feelings and satisfy our need for care and love; we open ourselves up to ‘receive’. In prayer we ask for open ourselves up to ‘receive’. In prayer we ask for things (love, knowledge, wisdom, strength etc.) The things (love, knowledge, wisdom, strength etc.) The down side is that we can remain dependent on the down side is that we can remain dependent on the external deityexternal deity.

Care-givingCare-giving

One cannot elicit love and investment from One cannot elicit love and investment from another unless the other is prepared to give another unless the other is prepared to give it. So God is created as a limitless source of it. So God is created as a limitless source of love, care and wisdom. The caring mentality love, care and wisdom. The caring mentality also invites us to be caring to others; to also invites us to be caring to others; to develop our basic compassion for others develop our basic compassion for others and to utilise our altruistic strategies in and to utilise our altruistic strategies in relationships. relationships.

We believe that God has our best interests We believe that God has our best interests at heart (is not indifferent) and wants to at heart (is not indifferent) and wants to see us mature, grow and prosper, to come see us mature, grow and prosper, to come into a closer relationship with him/her. into a closer relationship with him/her.

Co-operationCo-operationHere the relationship is seen more as a Here the relationship is seen more as a transaction; God gives us something in transaction; God gives us something in exchange for something, and we are aware exchange for something, and we are aware of this trade. It is not unconditional love but of this trade. It is not unconditional love but love that is conditional - if you behave ‘this love that is conditional - if you behave ‘this way’ you are accepted, if you don't, you are way’ you are accepted, if you don't, you are not. not.

Cooperation also tends towards the desire Cooperation also tends towards the desire for conformity; that is religion is used to for conformity; that is religion is used to subdue intra-group conflicts and to subdue intra-group conflicts and to harmonies values and beliefs. We are harmonies values and beliefs. We are invited to think we are all the same, of one invited to think we are all the same, of one tribe and group, with one leader tribe and group, with one leader

Jung, in his book Answer to Job, came up Jung, in his book Answer to Job, came up with the idea that God needs us as much as with the idea that God needs us as much as we need God we need God

Competitive and rank-focusedCompetitive and rank-focusedBeliefs and experiences of the spiritual are Beliefs and experiences of the spiritual are textured by complex textured by complex hierarchicalhierarchical, leader-, leader-follower relationships. Then arises all the follower relationships. Then arises all the questions of the powers of the leader to questions of the powers of the leader to ordain and order, to punish disobedience, ordain and order, to punish disobedience, to make special and offer prestige. The to make special and offer prestige. The themes of inferior-superior, dominate-themes of inferior-superior, dominate-subordinate, shame and pride, weave their subordinate, shame and pride, weave their plots. Today the strife that arises as plots. Today the strife that arises as religions `compete' for the minds of people religions `compete' for the minds of people is enormous and some fear that religion will is enormous and some fear that religion will be used as a focus for yet more major wars. be used as a focus for yet more major wars. Sometimes people within such social Sometimes people within such social structures are into crusades, to win structures are into crusades, to win converts to the armies of God. Often certain converts to the armies of God. Often certain individuals will give themselves status and individuals will give themselves status and prestige, and there is a ladder or highly prestige, and there is a ladder or highly ranked structure to God, with the priests ranked structure to God, with the priests and popes etc. at the top.and popes etc. at the top.

God as experienced vai our social God as experienced vai our social mentalities or archetypesmentalities or archetypes

We cannot experience the mind of the other directly but We cannot experience the mind of the other directly but only through their emitted behaviours and our only through their emitted behaviours and our interpretation of those behavioursinterpretation of those behaviours

We will use archetypal forms to impose meaning and co-We will use archetypal forms to impose meaning and co-create rolescreate roles

Role enactments create powerful emotional experiences Role enactments create powerful emotional experiences that can be interpreted in spiritual waysthat can be interpreted in spiritual ways

Dark SideDark SideOften linked to feelings of threat and injustice – Often linked to feelings of threat and injustice – easily manipulated by leaderseasily manipulated by leaders

Revert to basic threat system solutions Revert to basic threat system solutions

Strong in-group ties Strong in-group ties

Needs for specialness (not common humanity) Needs for specialness (not common humanity) submission obedience – rigidity creates safeness submission obedience – rigidity creates safeness (Cults)(Cults)

Spiritualities must therefore consider issues of Spiritualities must therefore consider issues of social justice and the creation of safenesssocial justice and the creation of safeness

TherapyTherapy We are all seekers, confronting fears and challenges of ‘finding We are all seekers, confronting fears and challenges of ‘finding ourselves here’ ourselves here’

So spirituality is often fundamental to mental health and not a So spirituality is often fundamental to mental health and not a decontextualised process decontextualised process

We have yearnings for social connectedness, to be valued by others We have yearnings for social connectedness, to be valued by others and for life to be meaningfuland for life to be meaningful

These yearnings can lead us into practice and insights, compassion These yearnings can lead us into practice and insights, compassion and healing – but also into dangers and destructivenessand healing – but also into dangers and destructiveness

Spirituality can be explored in regard to basic human psychology Spirituality can be explored in regard to basic human psychology and the nature of our short, and for many, harsh existence and the nature of our short, and for many, harsh existence

To feel safe and valued and loved changes our To feel safe and valued and loved changes our journey into the spiritualjourney into the spiritual

CompassionCompassion

Long history to the idea that compassion relates to Long history to the idea that compassion relates to the integration of various of our qualities of mindthe integration of various of our qualities of mind

It is a way of seeing an experience the world It is a way of seeing an experience the world

It requires trainingIt requires training

It organise the brain into new patterns that give It organise the brain into new patterns that give rise to certain types of experiencerise to certain types of experience

Definitions of CompassionDefinitions of CompassionBuddhist Buddhist As loving kindness; open heartednessAs loving kindness; open heartedness‘‘deep feeling and understanding of the suffering of others deep feeling and understanding of the suffering of others associated with a deep commitment and responsibility to try associated with a deep commitment and responsibility to try to alleviate it’to alleviate it’

Develop the Perfections (Paramitas - to carry across –oceans Develop the Perfections (Paramitas - to carry across –oceans of suffering to enlightenment)of suffering to enlightenment)

GenerosityGenerosity

Ethical BehaviourEthical Behaviour PatiencePatience

ConcentratioConcentrationn

EffortEffortWisdomWisdom

CompassionCompassion

Other Views of CompassionOther Views of Compassion

Definitions stretch back to Buddhism and Aristotle: suffering as non- Definitions stretch back to Buddhism and Aristotle: suffering as non- trivial; non-deserved. and one can have empathytrivial; non-deserved. and one can have empathy

McKay & Fanning (1992)McKay & Fanning (1992) understanding, acceptance and forgivenessunderstanding, acceptance and forgiveness

Neff (2003)Neff (2003)Kindness-warmthKindness-warmthCommon humanityCommon humanityMindfulness-Non-judgementalMindfulness-Non-judgemental

Gilbert (1989, 2000, 2005)Gilbert (1989, 2000, 2005)A mental orientation that combines various, care focused A mental orientation that combines various, care focused qualities of mind and is dependent on those qualitiesqualities of mind and is dependent on those qualities

Components of compassionComponents of compassionfrom the care giving mentalityfrom the care giving mentality

CompassionCompassion

SympathySympathy

EmpathyEmpathyNon-judgementNon-judgement

Care for well Care for well beingbeing

Distress sensitiveDistress sensitive

Distress tolerantDistress tolerant

Create opportunities for growth and change Create opportunities for growth and change With Warmth With Warmth

Compassion PracticeCompassion Practice

Mindful compassion involves learning to direct one’s Mindful compassion involves learning to direct one’s attention in a nonjudgmental fashion in order train one’s attention in a nonjudgmental fashion in order train one’s mind to organize itself via compassion and mind to organize itself via compassion and activate soothingactivate soothing systemsystem as a key affect regulator. as a key affect regulator.

It involves mindful practice of compassion focusing via It involves mindful practice of compassion focusing via attention, thinking, behaviour and feeling that involves:attention, thinking, behaviour and feeling that involves:

ProcessProcess

ImageryImagery

GoalsGoals

Compassion PracticeCompassion Practice

Insight, Practice and DevelopmentInsight, Practice and DevelopmentProcess Process

Therapeutic relationship, formulation, basic view of evolution Therapeutic relationship, formulation, basic view of evolution and personhood and personhood

Imagery Imagery

From memory and fantasyFrom memory and fantasy

Tasks/exercises Tasks/exercises

Motivation, attention, thinking, behaviour and feelingsMotivation, attention, thinking, behaviour and feelings

Compassionate dialoguesCompassionate dialogues

Compassionate letters/paintings/pictures/poetryCompassionate letters/paintings/pictures/poetry

Compassion FocusCompassion FocusEmpathy and sympathy for one’s own distressEmpathy and sympathy for one’s own distress

Awareness with out-judgement or blameAwareness with out-judgement or blame

De-shame and focus on common humanityDe-shame and focus on common humanity

Key focus is “finding what is Key focus is “finding what is experienced as experienced as

helpful, kind and supportive in this moment”helpful, kind and supportive in this moment”

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

ConclusionConclusionCompassion is a potential mind/brain organising Compassion is a potential mind/brain organising systemsystem

We can train our minds to develop it’s qualitiesWe can train our minds to develop it’s qualities

It has healing properties – via soothing systemIt has healing properties – via soothing system

It is a focus for a link between old-new It is a focus for a link between old-new spiritualities, psychotherapy and a way for spiritualities, psychotherapy and a way for organising social valuesorganising social values

Biosocial Goals Social MentalitiesBiosocial Goals Social Mentalities and Interpersonal Schema and Interpersonal Schema

Motivated role enactments (BSGs) Motivated role enactments (BSGs) Social Mentalities Social Mentalities Emitted behavioursEmitted behaviours

Responses of others Responses of others Threatening or safe Threatening or safe Role matchingRole matching

Interpersonal schemas Interpersonal schemas Self As Other asSelf As Other as

e.,g. Attachment IWMs; e.,g. Attachment IWMs; Trust, Power, Agency, Trust, Power, Agency, IdentityIdentity

Self-to-other-to-selfSelf-to-other-to-selfEvolution of cognitive systems for Evolution of cognitive systems for

interpersonal behaviourinterpersonal behaviour

Inter-subjectivityInter-subjectivityTheory of mindTheory of mind

Self as object/subjectSelf as object/subjectPretend, imagine fantasisePretend, imagine fantasise

RuminationRuminationMeta-cognitionMeta-cognition

Type of roleType of role

Co-constructedCo-constructedRole (mis)matchRole (mis)match

SelfSelf

Signal sensitiveSignal sensitive

OtherOther

Multiple processing Multiple processing systemssystems