Abstract
Mindful self-compassion (MSC) is a structured, 8-week, empirically supported, self-compassion training program. Research shows a strong connection between self-compassion and emotional well-being, as well as with reduced anxiety and depression. MSC is fundamentally ethical insofar as compassion is at the core of the world’s great religions (Armstrong, Twelve steps to a compassionate life . New York: Knopf, 2010). The fundamental question of self-compassion training is, “What do I need?” This question is especially meaningful to practitioners in times of stress or struggle, yet finding an answer is not always easy. Knowing our core values—deeply help principles that guide our lives—can help answer this question. Although core values are taught explicitly in one session of the eight-session training, this chapter makes the case that human values are a thread that runs through MSC. We begin this chapter by defining the construct of self-compassion, exploring human needs and core values, and introducing MSC in the context of mindfulness and compassion training. Then we discuss how ethical values, especially compassion, are integrated into the curriculum, the process of learning self-compassion and the training of MSC teachers.
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McGehee, P., Germer, C., Neff, K. (2017). Core Values in Mindful Self-Compassion. In: Monteiro, L., Compson, J., Musten, F. (eds) Practitioner's Guide to Ethics and Mindfulness-Based Interventions . Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64924-5_11
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