Neuro Exploration: Delving Deeper into Self-Awareness

Day Eight: Self Compassion

Self-compassion involves being kind to ourselves, especially during challenging times.

1. Components of Self-Compassion:

   • Self-Kindness vs. Self-Judgment: Self-compassion encourages self-kindness and reduces self-criticism.

   • Mindfulness vs. Over-Identification: Being mindful helps us observe our thoughts without over-identifying with them.

   • Common Humanity vs. Isolation: Recognising that suffering is part of the human experience fosters compassion for ourselves and others.

2. Neuroscience Findings:

   • Functional MRI studies show that self-compassion relates to:

     • Regulation of negative emotions in response to social feedback.

     • Changes in large-scale intrinsic networks involved in cognitive control and self-referential processing.

     • Mesocortical circuitry during reward processing.

In summary, self-compassion rewires our brain, promoting well-being and resilience.

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Exercise

Be kind to yourself. Write a compassionate note to yourself.

Question

What neural circuits underlie empathy for pain and suffering? Consider shared sensory experiences.

The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.