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To wrap up the 4-part series on practices and teachings that nature open-heartedness, we're focusing on self-compassion.

We can be our own worst critics, but the wisdom teachings want us to remember that compassion shouldn also be directed towards ourselves. We are, after all, manifestations of the divine.

So, in this episode we look at what Buddhism, Yoga, and Taoism have to say about self-compassion (which - spoiler - isn't much!) through the lens of moderation, non-harming, and cultivating contentment. We also take a look at what modern psychology research - primarily by Dr. Kristen Neff - has to say about the benefits of self-compassion.

Jen also answers a listener question about how to get started with Buddhist practice before sharing a bit of context behind the two yin yoga micro-practices she's sharing in October.

Resources Mentioned on the Show

• Self-compassion.org ~ hosted by Dr. Kristen Neff
• Self-compassion exercises: https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-practices/
• Buddha ~ by Karen Armstrong
• Siddharta ~ by Herman Hesse
• Buddhism: A Concise Introduction ~ by Huston Smith & Philip Novak
• Essential Buddhism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices ~ by Jack Maquire
• The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings ~ by Thich Nhat Hanh
• Bhavana Society Meditation Center
• Plum Village Practice Centers
• Plum Village Meditation Groups
• Mindfulness in Plain English ~ by Bante Gunaratana
• Dharmaseed

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SMP welcomes your comments and questions at feedback@skillfulmeanspodcast.com. You can also get in touch with Jen through her website: https://www.sati.yoga

Fill out this survey to help guide the direction of the show: https://airtable.com/appM7JWCQd7Q1Hwa4/pagRTiysNido3BXqF/form

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In order to be an open-hearted, compassionate person, we first have to notice the things things that need our support. This is where mindfulness — the practice of presence — comes in. It teaches how to engage directly with what's real, rather than what we wish were true.

This month we're back to mindfulness basics with a guided practice that starts with concentration practice (samata) and then follows with insight (vipassana). The practice starts right away (no intro) and includes periods of silence (nothing wrong with your player).

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SMP welcomes your comments and questions at feedback@skillfulmeanspodcast.com. You can also get in touch with Jen through her website: https://www.sati.yoga

Fill out this survey to help guide the direction of the show: https://airtable.com/appM7JWCQd7Q1Hwa4/pagRTiysNido3BXqF/form

To support the show, consider a donation via Ko-Fi.

Text me your feedback.

In Part 3 of the Awakening the Heart series, we're looking at why acts of kindness and service are powerful resilience-builders — possibly the exact things we need if we're to overcome so much divisiveness in our relationships and discourse.

To understand why a generous spirit is so supportive, we explore the Buddhist and Yoga concepts of dana (generosity) and seva (selfless service) and how they relate to modern psychology's hope theory (hat tip to CR Snyder).

Then Jennifer is joined by friend and colleague Laurent Goldberg to talk about her simple but brilliant Career Support Care Packages, which perfectly illustrate how generosity can restore our sense of agency and hope when everything feels so dispiriting.

Highlights include:

• how the Eastern philosophical traditions from India view dana and seva
• how willpower and waypower fuel hope
• why helping others should be in your resistance/resilience toolkit
• how Lauren designed her care packages to support both sender and receiver
• thinking about service not as self-sacrifice but as a way to put your skills and talents toward the greater good

Links

• Get in touch with Lauren Goldberg: https://laurengoldbergcoaching.com/
• Send a Career Support Care Package: https://laurengoldbergcoaching.com/career-support-care-package
• Building Movement Project's Social Change Ecosystem Map: https://buildingmovement.org/our-work/movement-building/social-change-ecosystem-map/

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SMP welcomes your comments and questions at feedback@skillfulmeanspodcast.com. You can also get in touch with Jen through her website: https://www.sati.yoga

Fill out this survey to help guide the direction of the show: https://airtable.com/appM7JWCQd7Q1Hwa4/pagRTiysNido3BXqF/form

To support the show, consider a donation via Ko-Fi.