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Self Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself Paperback – International Edition, 7 July 2011
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THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION WITH A NEW FOREWORD FROM KRISTIN NEFF
'Kristin Neff offers practical, wise guidance on the path of emotional healing and deep inner transformation.' Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance
Kristin Neff PhD, is a professor in educational psychology, and the world's expert on self-compassion. A pioneer who established self-compassion as a field of study, Kristin offers a powerful solution for combating negativity and insecurity - the symptoms of living in a high-pressure world.
Through tried and tested exercises and audio downloads, readers learn the 3 core components that will help to heal destructive emotional patterns so that you can become healthier, happier, and replace negative and destructive measures of self-worth and success with a kinder and non-judgemental approach.
Self-Compassion recognises that we all have weaknesses and limitations, but in accepting this we can discover new ways to achieve improved self-confidence, contentment and reach our highest potential. Simply, easily and compassionately. Kristin Neff's expert and practical advice offers a completely new set of personal development tools that will benefit everyone.
'A portable friend to all readers ... who need to learn that the Golden Rule works only if it's reversible: We must learn to treat ourselves as well as we wish to treat others.' Gloria Steinem
'A beautiful book that helps us all see the way to cure the world - one person at a time - starting with yourself. Read it and start the journey.' Rosie O'Donnell
- Print length320 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherYellow Kite
- Publication date7 July 2011
- Dimensions15.2 x 2.8 x 23.2 cm
- ISBN-101444738178
- ISBN-13978-1444738179
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From the Buddhist point of view, you have to care about yourself before you can really care about other people. If you are continually judging and criticizing yourself while trying to be kind to others, you are drawing artificial boundaries and distinctions that only lead to feelings of separation and isolation.Highlighted by 10,106 Kindle readers
The best way to counteract self-criticism, therefore, is to understand it, have compassion for it, and then replace it with a kinder response.Highlighted by 9,802 Kindle readers
This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself in this moment. May I give myself the compassion I need.Highlighted by 9,340 Kindle readers
By giving ourselves unconditional kindness and comfort while embracing the human experience, difficult as it is, we avoid destructive patterns of fear, negativity, and isolation.Highlighted by 9,014 Kindle readers
This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself in this moment. May I give myself the compassion I need.Highlighted by 3,776 Kindle readers
Product description
Review
Drawing on a powerful blend of Western psychology and Eastern meditative strategies, Kristin Neff offers practical, wise guidance on the path of emotional healing and deep inner transformation. -- Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance
A beautiful book that helps us all see the way to cure the world - one person at a time - starting with yourself. Read it and start the journey. ― Rosie O'Donnell
A portable friend to all readers... who need to learn that the Golden Rule works only if it's reversible: We must learn to treat ourselves as well as we wish to treat others. ― Gloria Steinem
This book and its courageous and compassionate author will become essential reading for all of us seeking inner peace and true, lasting happiness in our lives. Savor and enjoy! ― Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., author of Mindsight
In this deeply personal, highly practical book, Kristin Neff moves the entire study of compassion forward. ― Sharon Salzberg, author of Loving kindness and Real Happiness
This is an important book. Following its advice can free readers from the chains of self-criticism and replace them with the wings of self-encouragement. ― Steven Stosny, Ph.D., author of Love Without Hurt
Brilliant! Self Compassion is a revolutionary new idea - a better idea - pioneered by the author, Kristin Neff, with profound implications for how to live our lives. ― Christopher K. Germer, Ph.D., author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion
An original and doable blueprint for improving the quality of your life. -- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, author of Flow and Creativity
If you have a longing to relate to your inner life with authentic care, this book will show you how. Drawing on a powerful blend of Western psychology and Eastern meditative strategies, Kristin Neff offers practical, wise guidance on the path of emotional healing and deep inner transformation. -- Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance
Book Description
About the Author
Dr Kristin Neff, PhD is an associate professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Texas and has been researching and studying self compassion for the past 20 years. She published the first journal article that defined and examined self-compassion. She also created the Self-Compassion Scale, which has been translated into more than a dozen languages and is used by hundreds of researchers worldwide. She conducts international workshops and lectures on self-compassion.
She lives in Austin, Texas.
Visit: www.self-compassion.org
Product details
- Publisher : Yellow Kite
- Publication date : 7 July 2011
- Language : English
- Print length : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1444738178
- ISBN-13 : 978-1444738179
- Item weight : 400 g
- Dimensions : 15.2 x 2.8 x 23.2 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 3,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 35 in General Medical Issues Guides
- 58 in Medical Sciences A-Z
- 68 in Medicine & Nursing
- Customer reviews:
About the author

Read more at www.self-compassion.org
Kristin got her Ph.D. in 1997 at UC Berkeley, studying moral development. She is currently an Associate Professor in Human Development at the University of Texas at Austin.
During Kristin's last year of graduate school she became interested in Buddhism, and has been practicing meditation in the Insight tradition ever since. While doing her post-doctoral work she decided to conduct research on self-compassion - a central construct in Buddhist psychology and one that had not yet been examined empirically. In addition to her pioneering research into self-compassion, she has developed an 8-week program to teach self-compassion skills. The program, co-created with her colleague Chris Germer, is called Mindful Self-Compassion.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book life-changing, with one mentioning how it helps accept and embrace life's lows. Moreover, the book is well-written and easy to understand, making it a down-to-earth read that can be read daily. Additionally, they appreciate the advice provided, with one customer noting the inclusion of case studies to illustrate points.
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Customers find the book inspirational, describing it as uplifting and life-changing, with one customer noting how it helps them accept and embrace the lows of life.
"...Self-compassion, self-appreciation, gratitude and compassion for others are truly key to sustainable happiness, wellbeing and inner peace." Read more
"...to lift yourself out of a deep pit of despair, or raise your happiness to even higher levels than you’ve ever experienced before...." Read more
"A very readable and enlightening book...." Read more
"...Self-compassion is a much better source of happiness and contentment than self-esteem, as the book and Dr Neff's studies show...." Read more
Customers find the book helpful and insightful, with one customer noting it includes case studies to illustrate its points.
"...the time in which the book was written, but there are certainly universal truths that transcend space, time, culture, religion and gender within..." Read more
"...A truly wonderful book that may just help you to lift yourself out of a deep pit of despair, or raise your happiness to even higher levels than you..." Read more
"...me, because it actually presents a solid argument for ‘why’ and substantive detail on the ‘how’...." Read more
"...There are plenty of stories from her own life plus a few good jokes to make it an easy read, although you'll want to take time to get the most out..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to understand and down-to-earth, with one customer noting it is well-written and supported by scientific research.
"...completely around to one that is filled with much more calm, clarity, happiness and hope...." Read more
"A very readable and enlightening book...." Read more
"...of stories from her own life plus a few good jokes to make it an easy read, although you'll want to take time to get the most out of the practical..." Read more
"...I'm not a psycho babble sort of person. This is accessible reading and, for me, it made a lot of sense." Read more
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Amazing book! Life changing!
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 January 2025Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseVery enlightening and inspiring book. Some of the language, words & concepts are a bit dated and are indicative of the time in which the book was written, but there are certainly universal truths that transcend space, time, culture, religion and gender within this book.
Self-compassion, self-appreciation, gratitude and compassion for others are truly key to sustainable happiness, wellbeing and inner peace.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2021Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseCame across Kristin Neff’s work on self-compassion a couple of months ago while experiencing an episode of high anxiety, which later spiralled into a deep depression. Two months later and, in combination with practicing meditation and receiving counselling, Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion has turned my life experience completely around to one that is filled with much more calm, clarity, happiness and hope.
What I have experienced through reading Self-Compassion is nothing short of profound and life-changing. I am hopeful that what I have gained from Kristin’s guidance will remain with me throughout my life and will enhance my life experience significantly in the long term.
I never realised just how self-critical a person I was until I read this book. It’s helped me to realise how I’ve deepened, or even created, my own suffering at significant times during my life. I only wish I’d found this book sooner!
If you have a young teenage friend or relative who is having a tough time or appears a little lost - gift them this book. I can only imagine how much easier my life would have been during those critical years, had I had the power of self-compassion to tap into. I also believe that it doesn’t matter what age you are - anyone can benefit from Kristin’s teachings.
A truly wonderful book that may just help you to lift yourself out of a deep pit of despair, or raise your happiness to even higher levels than you’ve ever experienced before.
Thank you for all your help Kristin.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 May 2018Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseA very readable and enlightening book. The concept of self compassion and compassion for others is a particular interest of mine and combined with my meditation and church activities gives me the focus to be with my general anxiety disorder.
This book covers these subjects and it has reinforced my beliefs
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2023Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseI was drawn to this book through watching Kristin Neff’s TED talk, and was deeply impressed and moved by the power of this notion of how to relate to oneself. I was raised in a fundamentalist religion that actively taught the opposite-a message of self-denial and self-hate. However, even after leaving this religion, I’ve found that my experience of secular western culture has also encouraged a lack of self recognition, in favour of an emphasis on living up to someone else’s ideals. This refreshing take on how to relate to the self has been life-changing for me, because it actually presents a solid argument for ‘why’ and substantive detail on the ‘how’. I’m deeply grateful to Kristin for sharing this with the world and for the difference it’s already making in my life.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 June 2022Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseI learnt so much from this book about how to cope with the ups and downs of life and not be overwhelmed by my emotions.
Self-compassion is a much better source of happiness and contentment than self-esteem, as the book and Dr Neff's studies show.
There are plenty of stories from her own life plus a few good jokes to make it an easy read, although you'll want to take time to get the most out of the practical exercises too.
I'll be coming back to this book again and again for myself as well as in my coaching work. I am now recommending it to my clients to read.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 October 2023Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI’m half way through this book and I’ve highlighted so many pieces of wisdom & learning that I’ll be returning to again & again as part of my healing journey! For me personally, the timing of this book is key - I’m working with a therapist regarding childhood trauma & doing other growth work. This book alongside that is perfect for my healing journey. I would recommend this book to anyone who is their own worst critic and is open to being kinder to themselves and accepting to be human is to be flawed. Thank you Kristen Neff.
5.0 out of 5 starsI’m half way through this book and I’ve highlighted so many pieces of wisdom & learning that I’ll be returning to again & again as part of my healing journey! For me personally, the timing of this book is key - I’m working with a therapist regarding childhood trauma & doing other growth work. This book alongside that is perfect for my healing journey. I would recommend this book to anyone who is their own worst critic and is open to being kinder to themselves and accepting to be human is to be flawed. Thank you Kristen Neff.Amazing book! Life changing!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 October 2023
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 April 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseIf you find reading a chore don't get this book..
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2013Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseWas feeling like a failure personally and professionally for several reasons I won't go into here....some real, some perceived but all valid in my particular circumstances. Needed to learn how to deal with those feelings...and learn how to be compassionate to myself rather than beat myself up about being 'a failure'. Being the sort of person to say to myself 'just pull yourself together', it sounded to me ridiculous that I should have to learn to be compassionate to myself but I get it now. I couldn't just pull myself together, I had tried but I needed some help. Self compassion seems to be much more than just 'looking after number 1'. I'm not a psycho babble sort of person. This is accessible reading and, for me, it made a lot of sense.
Top reviews from other countries
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Client d'AmazonReviewed in France on 4 May 20235.0 out of 5 stars Parfait !
Livraison rapide ! Merci
Kindle CustomerReviewed in the Netherlands on 14 March 20254.0 out of 5 stars Great but I like the new burnout book best!
Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseThis book is great but I like the author's new book on burnout more because I find it a bit more relevant to today's problems, clearer and more concise, and updated with the author's newer concepts of tender and fierce concepts of self compassion.
AnastasiaReviewed in Australia on 16 August 20225.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!
Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseThis book has some revolutionary ideas, I can’t believe how something so simple can be so effective. I’ve been able to mindfully practice self compassion for a few weeks now and it has changed my life and my outlook on life. The book is beautifully written and it’s just such a joy to read. It has also mentioned another book, on nonviolent communication which I now practice too in conjunction to self compassion. Im so grateful for this book!
Jaime PooleReviewed in the United States on 28 April 20255.0 out of 5 stars Great book
A must have!
Mariia NikolaienkoReviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 11 June 20251.0 out of 5 stars Bad quality of the product
Got the book in a bad condition
The cover of the book is wrinkled and torn in some places
For this price it’s very bad quality











