ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how compassion can be directed inward, toward yourself. It begins by noting how people may be compassionate toward others, but too often are harsh with themselves. Such harsh self-treatment frequently manifests itself in negative self-talk. However, engaging in such harsh self-criticism fails to recognize that each person is part of common humanity with all its imperfections. Learning to be compassionate towards others begins with learning to be compassionate towards one’s self. Readers are asked to rate themselves on an established and validated Self-Compassion Scale. The discussion then moves to situating self-compassion in an ancient Japanese philosophy, the Wabi Sabi Way. This framework provides a lens through which sources of self-suffering are revealed, along with reasons why self-suffering is often neglected, instead of nurtured with compassion. Myths about self-compassion being selfish and self-criticism being an effective tool for self-improvement are dispelled. The chapter then applies four of the seven virtues of highly compassionate people to the cultivation of self-compassion: mindfulness, self-awareness, gratitude, and kindness. The chapter closes by discussing the benefits of self-compassion and why people are often fearful about receiving compassion from others.
