Originally published: 2009

Part I: The science behind compassion -- Compassion: the start of our journey -- The challenges of life -- Placing ourselves in the flow of life -- Threat and self-protection: the good, the bad and the really difficult -- The pleasures and contentments of life: the two types of good feelings and your compassionate mind -- Compassion in the context of old and new brains and minds -- Part II: Building the comassionate self skills and exercises -- Mindful preparations on the road to compassion -- Compassionate mind training through imagery -- Compassionate thinking -- From self-criticism to self-compassion -- Compassion and emotions: working with anxiety, anger and forgiveness -- Compassionate behaviour: the cultivation of courage -- Expressing the compassionate mind

Compassion and particularly compassion towards oneself can have a significant impact on our wellbeing and mental health. Developing our sense of compassion can affect many areas of our lives, in particular our relationships with other people