Staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic is a great act of compassion because it helps reduce transmission of the virus and "flatten the curve". However, for many of us this comes at an equally great cost, such that we suffer more, or in other ways. In this video, Dr Stan Steindl explores our multiple selves, different emotional aspect to ourselves, each with its own perspective, and the way that during this time staying home we can experience emotional, behavioural and relational suffering through combinations of the big three: Angry Self, Anxious Self, and Sad Self. Of course, it's the Compassionate Self that can bring awareness and understanding, turning our difficult emotional soup back into its individual ingredients, and offer each part of ourselves care, comfort and soothing during this difficult time. The original video can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tpw5RlMJTg . And Professor Paul Gilbert's videos that are referred to in this podcast are available here: https://www.compassionatewellbeing.com/compassion-safe-relating-and-world-change.html?fbclid=IwAR3qIXWQADCKKm9FApITmvqPO5RizJmlU0kLspn2szGNdHFgXI28TvHRi1k

In Dreams You're Close To Me by The Compassion Initiative: Dr Stan Steindl and Dr James Kirby

Peculiar Times by The Compassion Initiative: Dr Stan Steindl and Dr James Kirby

In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people who are able are staying home. In this video, Dr Stan Steindl discusses this move to stay home as an act of great compassion, especially when we remember that compassion is a sensitivity to suffering in self and others, with a commitment to try to alleviate and PREVENT it. Staying home is designed to prevent suffering, through minimising transmission, flattening the curve, and reducing the risks to those who are more vulnerable to the virus. And it can be very difficult, especially given sacrifices people make. And yet it is indeed a great act of compassion. The original video can be found here: https://youtu.be/hHylm4b7IbU

Hey Fletchy by The Compassion Initiative: Dr Stan Steindl and Dr James Kirby

Staying Home: A Love Song to Humanity by The Compassion Initiative: Dr Stan Steindl and Dr James Kirby

In this video, Dr Stan Steindl discusses the sixth competency of the compassionate mind: non-judgement. After a quick look at how to spell the word, we ask "does this mean we never judge?" We look at the role of judgement in compassion, both in terms of sensitivity and helpful action, as well as the importance of discernment and boundary setting. We then clarify non-judgement from the perspective of the compassionate mind, namely that we take a non-shaming and non-blaming attitude towards ourselves and others, and yet with care and discernment. The original video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZSy7Gdyy6o&t=221s

In these troubling times of fear and consternation, my Compassionate Self sang me this song. I thought I would record it, with all the normal warnings about how well or otherwise it is performed, recorded and mixed! It's somber. It is unlikely to cheer anyone up. But it reassures me at some level. And it is from the heart.

People often ask, "What's the difference between compassion and empathy?" While there are many perspectives on this question, in this video Dr Stan Steindl discusses compassion and empathy from the perspective of the compassionate mind, including the differences between them, but also the important ways that they relate to one another. Compassion is a motivation and empathy is competency...watch the video for clarification of what all this might mean! The original video can be found at: https://youtu.be/SaUPgaftqVs

In this video, Dr Stan Steindl discusses compassion fatigue from the theoretical perspective of the compassionate mind. In particular, this video explores the roles of the attributes of compassion, especially empathy, sympathy and distress tolerance, as well as the three flows of compassion, offering some thoughts to ponder as you bring all three flows into balance. This video also poses a controversial question: Is there such a thing as compassion fatigue? And, of course, this is then explored in more detail. Your thoughts would be most welcome in the comments below! The original video can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxkH-Qd4Bvo