(a) self-kindness: extending kindness and understanding of oneself rather than harsh judgment and criticism, (b) common humanity: seeing one’s own experiences as part of the lager human experience rather than seeing them as separating and isolating, and (c) mindfulness: holding one’s painful thoughts and feelings in balanced awareness rather than over-identifying with them. These components interact and enhance each other and by studying these components it is possible to cultivate a positive mental approach to deal with negative experiences. Furthermore, remembering that suffering and personal failure happen to all people reminds one to put the experience in perspective and this leaves room for positive feelings towards oneself and others in the same
(a) self-kindness: extending kindness and understanding of oneself rather than harsh judgment and criticism, (b) common humanity: seeing one’s own experiences as part of the lager human experience rather than seeing them as separating and isolating, and (c) mindfulness: holding one’s painful thoughts and feelings in balanced awareness rather than over-identifying with them. These components interact and enhance each other and by studying these components it is possible to cultivate a positive mental approach to deal with negative experiences. Furthermore, remembering that suffering and personal failure happen to all people reminds one to put the experience in perspective and this leaves room for positive feelings towards oneself and others in the same