As with learning any new skill or habit, it takes purposeful effort to establish compassionate habits. Eventually it becomes effortless.
A series of talks based on An Open-Hearted Life given at Sravasti Abbey’s monthly Sharing the Dharma Day in April 2017. Co-written by Venerable Thubten Chodron and clinical psychologist Dr. Russell Kolts, the book offers practical Buddhist and Western psychological approaches to developing compassion.
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A series of talks based on An Open-Hearted Life given at Sravasti Abbey’s monthly Sharing the Dharma Day in April 2017. Co-written by Venerable Thubten Chodron and clinical psychologist Dr. Russell Kolts, the book offers practical Buddhist and Western psychological approaches to developing compassion.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: Beyond Blame
How it’s possible to go beyond blaming others or our self and work together to alleviate the suffering that everyone experiences in a difficult situation.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: Being responsible for our emotions
When disturbing emotions arise we have a choice. The Buddhist teachings offer practical methods to change counterproductive, habitual emotional responses.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: A Healthy Diet for the Mind
How cultivating compassion is like engaging in a mental fitness program for the mind. What we feed our mind, what we attend to, shapes us and our experience.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: Becoming friends with ourselves
Becoming our own friend means treating ourselves with kindness, respect and compassion; celebrating our successes while working to improve.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: Working with unwanted thoughts and emotions
How we can work over time to replace troublesome thoughts and emotions with more compassionate ones, and establish new, compassionate mental habits.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: The power of optimism and types of emotion
How an optimistic attitude is important in maintaining compassion. A look at different ways to understand, and work with, our emotions.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: Compassionate understanding of emotions
How a compassionate understanding of how emotions play out in our minds gives us a roadmap for developing the positive mental qualities we want to have.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: Mindful awareness
Mindful awareness helps us to observe, accept and take responsibility for our emotions, so we can work with them, rather than letting them dictate our actions.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: A different kind of strength
Compassion is based on inner strength that helps us remain present with own and others difficult emotions. It’s the strength to face difficulties without fear.