The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive
Also known as The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, MSC Workbook, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook (2018)
Neff and Germer's step-by-step workbook version of the eight-week MSC program
At a glance
What it argues
Kinder to others than to yourself, Skills you can learn
See all 2Key ideas
What it is and is not, Physiology of self-criticism, Into daily life …
See all 5Examples from the book
Self-Compassion Break, Affectionate Breathing, Compassionate Body Scan …
See all 5Read next
Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program, Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout, Self-compassion
See all 3Connections
Kristin Neff, Christopher Germer and 3 others
See all 5
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- A self-help workbook built on the eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program the authors developed.
- It teaches you to be a supportive friend to yourself instead of a harsh judge.
- Its 24 chapters come with guided meditations, informal practices and exercises.
- Stories show people using the skills for relationships, body image, health worries and anxiety.
Why it matters
- The most practical way in: for anyone who wants to practise self-compassion rather than read about it, and for therapists who want exercises to give clients.
Key facts
- Authors
- Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer1
- Published
- 2018 (paperback 29 August 2018)1
- Publisher
- Guilford Press1
- Pages
- 2061
- ISBN
- 9781462526789 (paperback); 9781462535651 (hardcover)1
- Audience
- General readers; large-format workbook with 17 audio downloads1
- Reach
- More than 350,000 in print, according to the publisher1
What it argues
-
Kinder to others than to yourself1
Most people are kinder to others than to themselves; the book teaches a step-by-step way out of harsh self-judgement and impossible standards.
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Skills you can learn1
Self-compassion is treated as a trainable skill, practised through formal meditations and informal practices done anytime.
Key ideas
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What it is and is not1
Opening chapters define self-compassion, separate it from what it is not and review its benefits.
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Physiology of self-criticism1
A chapter explains how self-criticism and self-compassion act on the body.
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Into daily life1
Later chapters apply it to caregiving, shame, relationships, anger and forgiveness.
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Backdraft1
When you first offer yourself kindness, old pain can flare up; a whole chapter is on this "backdraft".
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Embracing the good1
Late chapters turn to savouring, self-appreciation and forgiveness, not only pain.
Examples from the book
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Self-Compassion Break1
A short guided practice (about 5 to 12 minutes in the audio) to use in a difficult moment.
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Affectionate Breathing1
A breathing meditation done with warmth rather than effortful focus.
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Compassionate Body Scan1
Moving attention through the body with kindness, one of the longer recordings.
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Compassionate Friend1
A guided imagery practice of meeting a compassionate friend.
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Working with Difficult Emotions1
A meditation for meeting a hard feeling directly.
Read next
-
Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program
The professional guide to the same eight sessions.
-
Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout
The same practices applied to exhaustion and caregiving.
-
The research and debates behind the practices.
Connections
Written by
- Kristin NeffPersonSelf-compassion researcher, University of Texas at Austin
- Christopher GermerClinical psychologist, Harvard Medical School lecturer; co-developer of MSC
Links
Sources
Last checked against its sources today
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