Enhancing Compassion: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Compassion Cultivation Training Program

Jazaieri, Hooria; Jinpa, Geshe Thupten; McGonigal, Kelly; Rosenberg, Erika L.; Finkelstein, Joel; Simon-Thomas, Emiliana; Cullen, Margaret; Doty, James R.; Gross, James J.; Goldin, Philippe R.

doi:10.1007/s10902-012-9373-z

Cited by 343 publications

(253 citation statements)

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“…Another RCT assessed the effects of Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) on different indices of compassion (Jazaieri et al, 2013). Healthy adult participants (n = 100) were allocated to CCT (n = 60; mean age = 41.98, SD = 11.48) or a waitlist-control group (n = 40).…”

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confidence: 99%

Buddhist-Derived Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation for the Treatment of Psychopathology: a Systematic Review

et al. 2014

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Although clinical interest has predominantly focused on mindfulness meditation, interest into the clinical utility of Buddhist-derived loving-kindness meditation (LKM) and compassion meditation (CM) is also growing. This paper follows the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis) guidelines and provides an evaluative systematic review of LKM and CM intervention studies. (Fredrickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, & Finkel, 2008), (vi) the accuracy and encoding of socialrelevant stimuli (Mascaro, Rilling, Negi, & Raison, 2013a), and (vii) affective processing (Desbordes et al., 2012).CM is described in the psychological literature as the meditative development of affective empathy as part of the visceral sharing of others' suffering (Shamay-Tsoory, 2011).LKM is more concerned with the meditative cultivation of a feeling of love for all beings (Lee et al., 2012). Depending on whether they are practising LKM or CM, the meditation practitioner first establishes themselves in meditative absorption and then intentionally directs either compassionate (CM) or altruistic/loving (LKM) feelings towards a specific individual, 3 group of individuals (which can also include sentient beings in general), and/or situation, and has conviction that they are tangibly enhancing the wellbeing of the person or persons concerned (Shonin, Van Gordon, & Griffiths, 2014b). Although CM and LKM interventions in clinical contexts are typically delivered using a secular format (i.e., without the explicit use of Buddhist terminology), the manner in which CM and LKM techniques are operationalized in clinical settings is still reasonably closely aligned with the traditional Buddhist model. Buddhist Construction of Loving-kindness and CompassionWithin Buddhism, loving-kindness (Sanskrit: maitrī) is defined as the wish for all sentient beings to have happiness and its causes (Bodhi, 1994). Compassion (Sanskrit: karunā) is defined as the wish for all sentient beings to be free from suffering and its causes.In conjunction with 'joy' (Sanskrit: muditā) and 'equanimity' (Sanskrit: upeksā), lovingkindness and compassion make up what are collectively known as the 'four immeasurable attitudes' (Sanskrit: catvāri brahmaviharas). Although in Buddhist meditation the four immeasurable attitudes are often generated and then emanated to other sentient beings one at a time, each attitude is deeply connected to, and reliant upon, the others. For example, the immeasurable attitude of 'joy' highlights the Buddhist view that genuine loving-kindness and compassion can only develop in a mind that is 'well-soaked' in meditative bliss, and that has transmuted both gross and subtle forms of ego-attachment (Khyentse, 2007). Likewise, given the objective is to distribute loving-kindness and/or compassion in equal and unlimited measures to all sentient beings, the immeasurable attitude of 'equanimity' emphasizes the need for total impartiality in one's regard for others (for a detailed discussion of the four immeasurable attitudes, see Na...

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Buddhist-Derived Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation for the Treatment of Psychopathology: a Systematic Review

et al. 2014

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“…Outcome studies for MSC (Neff & Germer, 2013) and CCT (Jazaieri et al, 2013;Jazaieri et al, 2014) have consistently demonstrated the ability of these programs and practices to increase ratings of mindfulness, compassion, self-compassion, happiness and life satisfaction while decreasing reports of depression, anxiety, stress and emotional avoidance.…”

Section: Mindful Coping Skillsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar to MBSR and MBCT curricula, structured programs focused on the application of compassion and loving-kindness practices have now been developed and systematically investigated, most notably Neff and Germer's (2013) eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program and Jazaieri and colleague's Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) program (Jazaieri et al,2013). Outcome studies for MSC (Neff & Germer, 2013) and CCT (Jazaieri et al, 2013;Jazaieri et al, 2014) have consistently demonstrated the ability of these programs and practices to increase ratings of mindfulness, compassion, self-compassion, happiness and life satisfaction while decreasing reports of depression, anxiety, stress and emotional avoidance.…”

Section: Mindful Coping Skillsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Psycheyana: Historical Roots of Contemporary Mindfulness Practices and Future Implications for Social Work Education

Paulson¹

2016

IRHE

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Mindfulness-based interventions are now an established component of several current psychotherapies. While these technologies come from numerous wisdom, spiritual and contemplative traditions, the developers of mindfulness programs have consistently acknowledged the predominantly Buddhist origins of these approaches. Recent authors have focused more specifically and intentionally on Buddhist principles and their utility in psychological science. This article briefly reviews some historical roots of contemporary mindfulness principles and practices from the Buddhist tradition, explores implications for social work and counselor education, and considers the possibility for psychology and psychotherapy becoming a modern vehicle for the expression of Buddhism.

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“…A significant portion of the contemporary scientific interest in compassion (such as that represented by the labs of Richard Davidson [21,29], Tania Singer [7,20,30], Charles Raison [25][26][27], Kristin Neff [31][32][33], Philippe Goldin [34], and others) is in fact located within the context of this emerging dialogue between Buddhist, and predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, conceptions and practices of compassion and contemporary scientific paradigms and research. The viability of this emerging dialogue between Buddhism and modern science, however, depends in part on having a clear understanding of compassion in all its complexity within the Buddhist traditions, and again especially Tibetan Buddhism, considering that many of the practices and protocols being studied have emerged from Tibetan Buddhism.…”

Section: Compassionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contemplative Science and Secular Ethics

Silva

2016

Religions

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This article argues that the emerging project of contemplative science will be best served if it is informed by two perspectives. First, attention should be paid not only to non-analytical and/or mindfulness-based practices, but to a fuller range of contemplative practices, including analytical styles of meditation. Second, the issue of ethics must be addressed as a framework within which to understand contemplative practice: both theoretically in order to understand better the practices themselves and the traditions they come from, and practically in order to understand the ways in which contemplative practices are deployed in contemporary societies. The Tibetan Buddhist Lojong (blo sbyong) tradition and secularized practices derived from it, which are now an area of study in contemplative science, are examined as a kind of case study in order to make these two points and illustrate their importance and relevance for the future of this emerging field.

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Enhancing Compassion: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Compassion Cultivation Training Program

Cited by 343 publications

References 32 publications

Buddhist-Derived Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation for the Treatment of Psychopathology: a Systematic Review

Buddhist-Derived Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation for the Treatment of Psychopathology: a Systematic Review

The Psycheyana: Historical Roots of Contemporary Mindfulness Practices and Future Implications for Social Work Education

Contemplative Science and Secular Ethics

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