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Slides van de presentatie van Paul Gilbert tijdens Congres Integrale Psychiatrie 2012TRANSCRIPT
Compassion Focused TherapyCompassion Focused Therapy
Groningen April 20thGroningen April 20th
Paul Gilbert PhD, FBPsS, OBE Paul Gilbert PhD, FBPsS, OBE
Mental Health Research UnitMental Health Research Unit, , Kingsway Kingsway Hospital Derby Hospital Derby
[email protected]@derby.ac.uk
www. compassionatemind.co.ukwww. compassionatemind.co.uk
www.compassionatelbeing.comwww.compassionatelbeing.com
Why do we need Compassion?Why do we need Compassion?
Life is HardLife is Hard
CollaboratorsCollaborators
Jean GilbertJean Gilbert
Kirsten McEwanKirsten McEwan
Corinne GaleCorinne Gale
Chris IronsChris Irons
Marcela MaratosMarcela Maratos
David Zuroff David Zuroff
Allison KellyAllison Kelly
Compassion??Compassion??
•• Specific feelings and actsSpecific feelings and acts
•• Desires to be a certain king of selfDesires to be a certain king of self
That which arises from deep insight into the That which arises from deep insight into the
nature of our nature of our ‘‘realityreality’’
•• Buddhist view Buddhist view
•• Evolutionary viewEvolutionary view
Compassion begins with a reality checkCompassion begins with a reality check
We are an emergent species in the We are an emergent species in the ‘‘flow of lifeflow of life’’ so so our brains, with their motives, emotions and our brains, with their motives, emotions and competencies are products of evolution, designed to competencies are products of evolution, designed to function in certain waysfunction in certain ways
Our lives are short (25,000Our lives are short (25,000--30,000 days), decay and 30,000 days), decay and end. We are subject to various malfunctions and end. We are subject to various malfunctions and diseases diseases –– in a genetic lottery. Everything changes in a genetic lottery. Everything changes ––the nature of impermanence the nature of impermanence –– the nature of tragedythe nature of tragedy
The social circumstances of our lives, over which we The social circumstances of our lives, over which we have no control, have major implications for the have no control, have major implications for the kinds of minds we have, the kind of person we kinds of minds we have, the kind of person we become, the values we endorse, and the lives we live become, the values we endorse, and the lives we live
The human brain is the product of many millions of years of The human brain is the product of many millions of years of
evolutionevolution –– a process of conserving, modifying and a process of conserving, modifying and
adaptingadapting
Sources of behaviourSources of behaviour
EmotionsFear, Anxiety, Anger, Lust, Joy
Social MotivesCloseness, Belonging, Sex, Status, Respect
Old BrainOld Brain
Old Brain Psychologies Sources of behaviourSources of behaviour
New BrainNew BrainImagination,
Planning, Anticipation
Rumination, Reflection
Purposeful focusing of the mind
Integration
Self Identity
New Brian AbilitiesNew Brian Abilities
Getting Getting ‘‘SmartSmart’’
Sources of behaviourSources of behaviour
Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship
Seeking-Creating
Archetypal
New Brain: Imagination,
Planning, Rumination, Integration
Interaction of old and new psychologies
Glitches
Thinking brain can cause serious problems in using Thinking brain can cause serious problems in using old affect and motive systemsold affect and motive systems
Sources of behaviourSources of behaviour
Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship Seeking-Creating
Archetypal
New Brain: Imagination,
Planning, Rumination, Integration
Interaction of old and new psychologies
and mindful brain
Mindful Brain
Sources of behaviourSources of behaviour
Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship Seeking-Creating
COMPASSION
New Brain: Imagination,
Planning, Rumination, Integration
Interaction of old and new psychologies
and mindful brain
Mindful Brain
So, Basic Philosophy is That:So, Basic Philosophy is That:
We all We all just find ourselvesjust find ourselves here with a brain, emotions and here with a brain, emotions and sense of (socially made) self we did not choose but have to sense of (socially made) self we did not choose but have to figure outfigure out
Life involves dealing with Life involves dealing with tragediestragedies (threats, losses, (threats, losses, diseases, decay, death) and people do the best they candiseases, decay, death) and people do the best they can
Much of what goes on in our minds is not of Much of what goes on in our minds is not of ‘‘our designour design’’and not our faultand not our fault
Compassion rooted in deep insight of what Compassion rooted in deep insight of what we are all in this we are all in this ‘‘sufferingsuffering’’ together together ––
IItt’’s a set up!s a set up!
Understanding our Motives and Understanding our Motives and
EmotionsEmotions
Motives evolved because they help animals to Motives evolved because they help animals to survive and leave genes behindsurvive and leave genes behind
Emotions guide us to our goals and respond if we Emotions guide us to our goals and respond if we are succeeding or threatenedare succeeding or threatened
There are three types of emotion regulationThere are three types of emotion regulation
1.1. Those that focus on threat and selfThose that focus on threat and self--protectionprotection
2.2. Those that focus on doing and achievingThose that focus on doing and achieving
3.3. Those that focus on contentment and feeling safeThose that focus on contentment and feeling safe
Types of Affect Regulator Types of Affect Regulator
SystemsSystems
Incentive/resource-
focused
Wanting, pursuing,
achieving
Activating
Non-wanting/
Affiliative focused
Safeness-kindness
Soothing
Threat-focused
Protection and
Safety-seeking
Activating/inhibiting
Anger, anxiety, disgustAnger, anxiety, disgust
Drive, excite, vitalityDrive, excite, vitality Content, safe, connectedContent, safe, connected
Types of Affect Regulator Types of Affect Regulator
SystemsSystems
Incentive/resource-
focused
Wanting, pursuing,
achieving
Activating
Non-wanting/
Affiliative focused
Safeness-kindness
Soothing
Threat-focused
Protection and
Safety-seeking
Activating/inhibiting
Anger, anxiety, disgustAnger, anxiety, disgust
Drive, excite, vitalityDrive, excite, vitality Content, safe, connectedContent, safe, connected
Perry B (2002) Childhood Experience and the Expression of
Genetic Potential: What Childhood Neglect Tells Us About Nature and Nurture Brain and Mind 3:79–100, 2002.
Safeness,Safeness,
Affiliation and Affiliation and affect regulationaffect regulation
Types of Affect Regulator SystemsTypes of Affect Regulator Systems
Incentive/resource-
focused
Wanting, pursuing,
achieving
Activating
Non-wanting/
Affiliative focused
Safeness-kindness
Soothing
Threat-focused
Protection and
Safety-seeking
Activating/inhibiting
Anger, anxiety, disgustAnger, anxiety, disgust
Drive, excite, vitalityDrive, excite, vitality Content, safe, connectedContent, safe, connected
The Mammalian Importance of The Mammalian Importance of
Caring MindsCaring Minds
Caring as Caring as ““looking afterlooking after””. Seeking closeness . Seeking closeness rather than dispersion. Individuals obtain rather than dispersion. Individuals obtain protection, food, and care when ill. Key also is protection, food, and care when ill. Key also is
soothingsoothing--calmingcalming and physiological regulation.and physiological regulation.
Few offspring but high survival rate in Few offspring but high survival rate in comparison to species without attachment, comparison to species without attachment, affection and kindnessaffection and kindness
Promotes courage and engagementPromotes courage and engagement
CoCo--operative and mutual support stimulates operative and mutual support stimulates affiliative systems and helps regulate threataffiliative systems and helps regulate threat
Study of Types of Positive AffectStudy of Types of Positive Affect
Participants asked how characteristic specific emotions Participants asked how characteristic specific emotions were for them (N = 203)were for them (N = 203)
0 = Not Ch.0 = Not Ch. 4 = Very Ch.4 = Very Ch.
EnergeticEnergetic 00 11 22 33 44
ExcitedExcited 00 11 22 33 44
RelaxedRelaxed 00 11 22 33 44
SafeSafe 00 11 22 33 44
Types of Positive affectTypes of Positive affect Factor
Items 1 2 3
Energetic .802 .217 .225
Lively .782 .117 .351
Adventurous .642 .265 .148
Active .608 .274 .192
Enthusiastic .600 .159 .392
Dynamic .584 .282 .267
Excited .552 .214 .289
Eager .401 .032 .244
Relaxed
.262
.794
.258
Peaceful .222 .747 .424
Calm .191 .675 .445
Tranquil .186 .664 .395
Laid back .169 .601 .241
Serene .221 .548 .339
Safe
.214
.426
.740
Content .310 .494 .702
Secure .362 .422 .606
Warm .231 .166 .503
CorrelationsCorrelations
DepDep AnxietyAnxiety StressStress
ActivatedActivated --0.17*0.17* --0.16*0.16* --0.080.08
--0.27**0.27** --0.15*0.15* --0.20**0.20**
RelaxedRelaxed --0.30**0.30** --0.22**0.22** --0.38**0.38**
--0.22**0.22** --0.17*0.17* --0.37**0.37**
Safeness Safeness --0.38**0.38** --0.29 ** 0.29 ** --0.33**0.33**
--0.47**0.47** --0.27**0.27** --.041**.041**
Between self and others
ThreatAffiliative/ Soothing
Calms
120 Million year evolving system to regulate threat120 Million year evolving system to regulate threat
Self-to selfSelf to self
Physiological SystemsPhysiological Systems
Major physiological systems that are focused on Major physiological systems that are focused on attachment and affiliation attachment and affiliation –– e.g., oxytocin e.g., oxytocin
•• Facilitates monogamous bondingFacilitates monogamous bonding
•• Facilitates conspecific recognitionFacilitates conspecific recognition
•• Facilitates attachmentFacilitates attachment
•• Increases trustIncreases trust
•• Increases competencies in mind reading tasks Increases competencies in mind reading tasks
•• Increases feelings of liking othersIncreases feelings of liking others
•• Reduces activation in the amygdala to threat facesReduces activation in the amygdala to threat faces
Source Macdonald and Madonald 2010 The Peptide That Binds: A SysSource Macdonald and Madonald 2010 The Peptide That Binds: A Systematic tematic Review of Oxytocin and its Prosocial Effects in Humans Review of Oxytocin and its Prosocial Effects in Humans Harvard Review of Harvard Review of PsychiatryPsychiatry 11--2121
Compassion SolutionsCompassion Solutions
Ancient wisdom Ancient wisdom Compassion is the road to Compassion is the road to
happiness (Buddhismhappiness (Buddhism))
Evolution Evolution Evolution has made our brains highly Evolution has made our brains highly
sensitive to external and internal kindnesssensitive to external and internal kindness
NeuroscienceNeuroscience Specific brain areas are focused on Specific brain areas are focused on
detecting and responding to kindness and detecting and responding to kindness and
compassioncompassion
Social and developmental; psychologySocial and developmental; psychology History of History of
affiliation affects brain maturation, emotion affiliation affects brain maturation, emotion
regulation, prosocial behaviour and sense of selfregulation, prosocial behaviour and sense of self
CompassionCompassion
Compassion can be defined in many ways: Compassion can be defined in many ways: ““As As a sensitivity to the suffering of self and others a sensitivity to the suffering of self and others with a deep commitment to try to relieve and with a deep commitment to try to relieve and preventprevent itit”” Dalai LamaDalai Lama
Now there is increasing focus on what Now there is increasing focus on what compassion and is and how it workscompassion and is and how it works
What do we need to feel compassion?
CaringCaring--Compassionate MindCompassionate Mind
Care for Care for
wellwell--beingbeing
SensitivitySensitivity SympathySympathy
Distress Distress
tolerancetolerance
EmpathyEmpathyNonNon--JudgementJudgement
CompassionCompassion
ATTRIBUTESWarmthWarmth
WarmthWarmth
WarmthWarmth
WarmthWarmth
Distress tolerant and empathyDistress tolerant and empathy
NonNon--judgement judgement –– we all strugglewe all struggleCaringCaring--Compassionate MindCompassionate Mind
Imagery
Attention Reasoning
Feeling Behaviour
Sensory
Care for
well-being
Sensitivity Sympathy
Distress
tolerance
EmpathyNon-Judgement
CompassionCompassion
ATTRIBUTES
SKILLS -TRAINING
WarmthWarmth
WarmthWarmth
WarmthWarmth
WarmthWarmth
Focus of Compassion Focus of Compassion
Two very Different PsychologiesTwo very Different Psychologies
11 Inner circle awareness engagement and Inner circle awareness engagement and
understanding understanding –– engaging with difficult engaging with difficult
emotionsemotions
2 Outer circle focus on alleviations, changing 2 Outer circle focus on alleviations, changing
lovingloving--kindness and enthusiasm kindness and enthusiasm –– engaging engaging
with positive and affiliative emotionswith positive and affiliative emotions
Compassion BehaviourCompassion Behaviour
Commonly MisunderstoodCommonly MisunderstoodDevelop kindness, support and encouragement to promote Develop kindness, support and encouragement to promote
the courage we need the courage we need -- to take the actions we need to take the actions we need –– in order in order
to promote the flourishing and wellto promote the flourishing and well--being of ourselves and being of ourselves and
othersothers
The agoraphobic develops the courage to go out and expose The agoraphobic develops the courage to go out and expose
themselves to fear; the abused wife leaves her violent themselves to fear; the abused wife leaves her violent
husband; the depressed person works on the fear of husband; the depressed person works on the fear of
emotion, the traumatised person engages with emotion, the traumatised person engages with ‘‘healinghealing’’
their memoriestheir memories
Hence the importance of building CAPACITYHence the importance of building CAPACITY
Compassionate ProcessCompassionate Process
Mindful Compassionate EngagementMindful Compassionate Engagement
Motivation, sensitivity, sympathy, distress tolerance, Motivation, sensitivity, sympathy, distress tolerance,
empathy nonjudgement/acceptanceempathy nonjudgement/acceptance
Mindful Compassionate AlleviationMindful Compassionate Alleviation
Motivation, attention, thinking, behaviour, feeling, Motivation, attention, thinking, behaviour, feeling,
imagery, sensory focusingimagery, sensory focusing
WisdomWisdom
CourageCourage
Build compassionate capacity for engaging and changingBuild compassionate capacity for engaging and changing
Problems with CompassionProblems with Compassion
•• Problems of the inner circle with: Motivation; Problems of the inner circle with: Motivation; attention/sensitivity; sympathy, distress attention/sensitivity; sympathy, distress tolerance; empathy; and judgingtolerance; empathy; and judging
•• Problems with the positive and afiliative Problems with the positive and afiliative emotions emotions –– linked to the problems with the linked to the problems with the soothing affiliative systems. soothing affiliative systems.
•• Linked to attachment history/style?? Peer Linked to attachment history/style?? Peer attachment/style??attachment/style??
Compassionate mind/mentalityCompassionate mind/mentality
AttentionAttentionThinkingThinking
ReasoningReasoning
BehaviourBehaviour
MotivationMotivation EmotionsEmotions
Imagery Imagery FantasyFantasy CompassionCompassion
Competitive mind can block CompassionCompetitive mind can block Compassion
AttentionAttentionThinkingThinking
ReasoningReasoning
BehaviourBehaviour
MotivationMotivation EmotionsEmotions
Imagery Imagery FantasyFantasy CompeteCompete
Threatened mind can block Threatened mind can block compassioncompassion
AttentionAttentionThinkingThinking
ReasoningReasoning
BehaviourBehaviour
MotivationMotivation EmotionsEmotions
Imagery Imagery FantasyFantasy ThreatThreat
Compassion as FlowCompassion as Flow
Different practices for eachDifferent practices for each
Other Other SelfSelf
SelfSelf OtherOther
Self Self SelfSelf
Evidence that Evidence that intentionallyintentionally practicing each of these can practicing each of these can
have impacts on mental states and social behaviourhave impacts on mental states and social behaviour
DataData•• Practice of imagining compassion for others produces changes in Practice of imagining compassion for others produces changes in
frontal cortex and immune system (Lutz et al, 2009)frontal cortex and immune system (Lutz et al, 2009)
•• Loving kindness meditation (compassion directed to self, then Loving kindness meditation (compassion directed to self, then others, then strangers) increases positive emotions, mindfulnessothers, then strangers) increases positive emotions, mindfulness, , feelings of purpose in life and social support and decreases illfeelings of purpose in life and social support and decreases illness ness symptoms (Frederickson et al, 2008, JPSP)symptoms (Frederickson et al, 2008, JPSP)
•• Compassion meditation (6 weeks) improves immune function, and Compassion meditation (6 weeks) improves immune function, and neuroendocrine and behavioural responses to stress (Pace, 2008, neuroendocrine and behavioural responses to stress (Pace, 2008, PNE)PNE)
•• Viewing sad faces, neutrally or with a compassionate attitude Viewing sad faces, neutrally or with a compassionate attitude influences neurophysiological responses to faces (Jiinfluences neurophysiological responses to faces (Ji--Woong Kim, Woong Kim, 2009, NP)2009, NP)
•• Compassion training reduces shame and selfCompassion training reduces shame and self--criticism in chronic criticism in chronic depressed patients (Gilbert & Proctor, 2006, CPP)depressed patients (Gilbert & Proctor, 2006, CPP)
Compassion Behaviour as Compassion Behaviour as CCourageourage
Develop kindness, support and encouragement to promote Develop kindness, support and encouragement to promote
the courage we need the courage we need -- to take the actions we need to take the actions we need –– in order in order
to promote the flourishing and wellto promote the flourishing and well--being of ourselves and being of ourselves and
othersothers
The agoraphobic develops the courage to go out and expose The agoraphobic develops the courage to go out and expose
themselves to fear; the abused wife leaves her violent themselves to fear; the abused wife leaves her violent
husband; the depressed person works on the fear of husband; the depressed person works on the fear of
emotion, the traumatised person engages with emotion, the traumatised person engages with ‘‘healinghealing’’
their memoriestheir memories
Hence the importance of building affiliative CAPACITY to Hence the importance of building affiliative CAPACITY to
work on the painful things work on the painful things –– not ascent to angelic statusnot ascent to angelic status
Compassionate and selfCompassionate and self--image goals were assessed with 13 items. All items image goals were assessed with 13 items. All items began with the phrase, began with the phrase, ““In the past week, in the area of friendships, how In the past week, in the area of friendships, how much did you want to or try to,much did you want to or try to,”” and items were rated on a scale ranging and items were rated on a scale ranging from 1 (from 1 (not at allnot at all) to 5 () to 5 (alwaysalways). ).
Seven items assessed compassionate goals, namely, Seven items assessed compassionate goals, namely, ““be supportive of others,be supportive of others,””““have compassion for othershave compassion for others’’ mistakes and weaknesses,mistakes and weaknesses,”” ““avoid doing avoid doing anything that would be harmful to others,anything that would be harmful to others,”” ““make a positive difference in make a positive difference in someone elsesomeone else’’s life,s life,”” ““be constructive in your comments to others,be constructive in your comments to others,”” ““avoid avoid being selfish or selfbeing selfish or self--centered,centered,”” and and ““avoid doing things that arenavoid doing things that aren’’t helpful to t helpful to me or others.me or others.””
Six items assessed selfSix items assessed self--image goals, namely, image goals, namely, ““get others to recognize or get others to recognize or acknowledge your positive qualities,acknowledge your positive qualities,”” ““convince others that you are right,convince others that you are right,””““avoid showing your weaknesses,avoid showing your weaknesses,”” ““avoid the possibility of being wrong,avoid the possibility of being wrong,””““avoid being rejected by others,avoid being rejected by others,”” and and ““avoid taking risks or making avoid taking risks or making mistakes.mistakes.””
Crocker, Crocker, J & J & Canevello, A (2008) Canevello, A (2008) Creating and undermining social support Creating and undermining social support in communal relationships: The role of compassionate and selfin communal relationships: The role of compassionate and self--image goals. image goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 95(3), Sep 200Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 95(3), Sep 2008, 5558, 555--575575
Findings Findings (N 199)(N 199)
Average compassionate goals predicted closeness, clear Average compassionate goals predicted closeness, clear and connected feelings, and increased social support and and connected feelings, and increased social support and trust over the semester; selftrust over the semester; self--image goals attenuated these image goals attenuated these effects. effects.
Average selfAverage self--image goals predicted conflict, loneliness, image goals predicted conflict, loneliness, and afraid and confused feelings; compassionate goals and afraid and confused feelings; compassionate goals attenuated these effects.attenuated these effects.
People with compassionate goals create a supportive People with compassionate goals create a supportive environment for themselves and others, but only if they do environment for themselves and others, but only if they do not have high selfnot have high self--image goalsimage goals
Crocker, Crocker, J & J & Canevello, A (2008) Canevello, A (2008) Creating and undermining social Creating and undermining social support in communal relationships: The role of compassionate andsupport in communal relationships: The role of compassionate andselfself--image goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol image goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 95(3), Sep 2008, 55595(3), Sep 2008, 555--575575
Fear of Fear of
CompassionCompassion
Kindness, Attachment and ThreatKindness, Attachment and Threat
Kindness from therapist or imageryKindness from therapist or imagery
Activate attachment systemActivate attachment system
Activate memoriesActivate memories
NeglectNeglect
alonenessaloneness
Abuse, shame Abuse, shame vulnerablevulnerable
ActivateActivate learnt and current defences learnt and current defences -- cortisolcortisol
Fight, flightFight, flight
shut downshut down
Fight, flightFight, flight
shut downshut down
TreatmentTreatment
•• Attendance one of two programmesAttendance one of two programmes
•• Patients invited to take part in a research trial of Patients invited to take part in a research trial of
CMT at community meetingsCMT at community meetings
•• Criteria for inclusion were mid treatment (six months Criteria for inclusion were mid treatment (six months
to one year), well engaged with the service and to have to one year), well engaged with the service and to have
selfself--attacking, negative thoughtsattacking, negative thoughts
•• Nine patients agreed to take part in the study (five Nine patients agreed to take part in the study (five
men and four women)men and four women)
•• Three did not complete the study: hence six completed Three did not complete the study: hence six completed
•• Twelve two hour sessionsTwelve two hour sessions
•• Gradual process of developing compassionate imagery Gradual process of developing compassionate imagery
and soothing exercises and then engaging with self and soothing exercises and then engaging with self
critical thinking critical thinking
Data From Group StudyData From Group Study
Pre and Post Compassionate Mind
Training
10.2
18.8
54.2 56.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Self criticism Self compassion
Scale
Before
After
Data From Group StudyData From Group Study
HADS
10.33
(2.67)
14.67
(3.78)
4.3
(2.73)
6.83
(2.93)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Anxiety Depression
Subscale
Score Before
After
ReflectionsReflections
I would just like to tell you all here today what (CMT) I would just like to tell you all here today what (CMT) means to me. It seemed to awaken a part of my brain that means to me. It seemed to awaken a part of my brain that I was not aware existed.I was not aware existed.
The feeling of only ever having compassion for other The feeling of only ever having compassion for other people and never ever contemplating having any for people and never ever contemplating having any for myself.myself.
Suddenly realising that itSuddenly realising that it’’s always been there, just that I s always been there, just that I have never knew how to use it towards myself.have never knew how to use it towards myself.
It was such a beautiful, calming feeling to know it was Ok It was such a beautiful, calming feeling to know it was Ok to feel like this towards myself without feeling guilty or to feel like this towards myself without feeling guilty or bad about it.bad about it.
Being able to draw on this when I was frightened and Being able to draw on this when I was frightened and confused, to calm myself down and to put things in confused, to calm myself down and to put things in prospective and say to myself prospective and say to myself ““ITIT’’S OK TO FEEL LIKE S OK TO FEEL LIKE THIS. THIS.
ReflectionsReflections
Having compassion for myself means I feel so much more at Having compassion for myself means I feel so much more at peace with myself. Knowing that it is a normal way of life to peace with myself. Knowing that it is a normal way of life to have compassion for myself and ithave compassion for myself and it’’s not an abnormal way of s not an abnormal way of thinking, but a very healthy way of thinking. It felt like I thinking, but a very healthy way of thinking. It felt like I was training my mind to switch to this mode when I start to was training my mind to switch to this mode when I start to feel bad about myself or life situations were starting to get feel bad about myself or life situations were starting to get on top of me.on top of me.
What is striking about this, and what other participants What is striking about this, and what other participants thought, was how much they had (previously) felt that being thought, was how much they had (previously) felt that being selfself--compassionate and empathic to onecompassionate and empathic to one’’s distress was a selfs distress was a self--indulgence or weakness and definitely not something to indulgence or weakness and definitely not something to cultivate.cultivate.
ConclusionConclusion
Attachment and affiliation evolved as a major threat Attachment and affiliation evolved as a major threat
regulator regulator –– mental and physical help and positive mental and physical help and positive
social relationships are underpinned by themsocial relationships are underpinned by them
These systems have become compromised in many folk These systems have become compromised in many folk
with affective disturbances with affective disturbances ––
and even in our competitive societies themselvesand even in our competitive societies themselves
Our future will be influenced by how compassionately Our future will be influenced by how compassionately
focused we become in how we live our internal lives focused we become in how we live our internal lives
and create societiesand create societies
Where next in Compassion?Where next in Compassion?
•• Compassion is a complex and multifaceted process Compassion is a complex and multifaceted process that organises our mindsthat organises our minds
•• Still ongoing debates about key elements although Still ongoing debates about key elements although
motivation and intention are central motivation and intention are central
•• Compassion should be distinguished from sympathy Compassion should be distinguished from sympathy empathy, kindness but rooted in affect regulation empathy, kindness but rooted in affect regulation systemssystems
•• Genuine compassion that involves equanimity, Genuine compassion that involves equanimity,
openness and empathic competencies and that openness and empathic competencies and that changes psychological and physiological processes changes psychological and physiological processes should be distinguished from automatic kindness should be distinguished from automatic kindness and concerns with self presentationand concerns with self presentation
Evolved Systems and Types of MindEvolved Systems and Types of Mind
Basic emotion regulation: Basic emotion regulation: Threat; Seeking, and Threat; Seeking, and Contentment/Soothing Contentment/Soothing
Basic Social Motivational Basic Social Motivational and Role Seeking Systems: and Role Seeking Systems:
Status; Sex; CaringStatus; Sex; Caring
Cognitive/metaCognitive/meta--cognitive cognitive symbol systems: symbol systems: Thinking mindThinking mind
Self and Social Identity: Self and Social Identity: Automatic vs the chosen/ Automatic vs the chosen/
trained selftrained self
Interacting Interacting
processing processing
systemssystems
Patterned Patterned
by by
experiencesexperiences
Where next in CompassionWhere next in Compassion
•• Training compassion is much more complex than it Training compassion is much more complex than it appears and requires substantial researchappears and requires substantial research
•• Training needs to take in not only the level of competencies Training needs to take in not only the level of competencies but also blocks and fears to compassionbut also blocks and fears to compassion
•• Training based in the Tibetan traditions have a series of Training based in the Tibetan traditions have a series of stepssteps
•• Training based in psychotherapy research may have Training based in psychotherapy research may have similar steps or different ones similar steps or different ones ––ways of developing specific ways of developing specific physiological systems that support compassion such as physiological systems that support compassion such as oxytocin supplementation require further research oxytocin supplementation require further research
ConclusionConclusion
•• Many physiological systems function best under Many physiological systems function best under conditions of social affiliation and safenessconditions of social affiliation and safeness
•• Must distinguish between different types of positive affect Must distinguish between different types of positive affect
•• The balance of threat based emotions to positive ones The balance of threat based emotions to positive ones (depressed anxious and hostile) are linked to social (depressed anxious and hostile) are linked to social safeness and affiliationsafeness and affiliation
•• The study and promotion of internal and external The study and promotion of internal and external afiliation should be a priority afiliation should be a priority ---- and understanding the and understanding the evolutionary roots and brain mechanisms for affiliation evolutionary roots and brain mechanisms for affiliation will play a key role in this endeavourwill play a key role in this endeavour
Showing we careShowing we care