Abstract
Psychotherapeutic approaches and self-development programs that focus on the development of mindfulness and self-compassion have been gaining popularity in recent years. But how exactly do mindfulness and self-compassion change our emotions? The first part of the book begins by explaining that focusing attention on present perceptions is only a very basic level of mindfulness development.
It shows that mindfulness gradually helps us to change our attitude towards everything we experience (especially towards emotions), and also to change the way we understand our Self. So, to better understand emotions, the second part of the book reveals their hidden messages in detail.
It distinguishes the adaptive and maladaptive form of individual emotions and highlights the crucial role of shame in the etiology of many mental disorders. Further chapters discuss the influence of early childhood experiences on the creation of emotional schemas.
They offer an overview of the defense mechanisms. They describe the mechanisms by which mindfulness changes our experience.
And they deal with sublime attitudes that also help us transcend suffering. Third part of the book introduces five methods that can be used to develop mindfulness in a regular therapeutic session.
It introduces the reader to the general scheme of a corrective emotional experience. It presents knowledge about memory reconsolidation, and it also indicates the ethical-psychological aspects of our experiences.
Finally, the fourth part of the book presents three specific psychotherapeutic techniques in more detail. The book contains 18 exercises to develop mindfulness and self-compassion.
All methods, techniques, and exercises can be used in any psychotherapy.