Most people carry an inner critical voice, though it does not sound the same in everyone. Some say genuinely cruel things to themselves. Some use a harsh tone. Some have taken on the voice of a parent or a teacher from years ago. And in some it barely reads as criticism at all, just a settled disappointment, or a numbness where warmth ought to be. Whatever form it takes, the experience appears to be close to universal. This film brings together Tara Brach, who has taught and written about self-compassion for more than forty years, Rick Hanson, a clinical psychologist working where brain science meets contemplative wisdom, and Kristin Neff of the University of Texas at Austin, who calls self-compassion her life's work. As Brach points out, none of this belongs to anyone. Every wise tradition teaches kindness in some form, and it has been formally taught for centuries in the Buddhist practices of loving kindness. Hanson locates the starting point somewhere unexpectedly simple. Where the Buddha began is where most of us begin: where does it hurt? You start with what is true, which is that there is suffering. Not the whole of life, but subtle or intense, physical or emotional, it is really there. And though compassion is often treated as mystical, he makes the case that it is exactly the kind of thing science should study, because it is a capacity that helps people feel good and feel connected. Neff sets out the three elements compassion requires. Mindfulness, the least intuitive of them, meaning a willingness to be open to the pain rather than turn from it. A kind response, warm enough to let you stay with what hurts. And common humanity, the felt sense of being connected to everyone else. Because part of what it means to be human is to suffer, alongside the joy. Suffering is not a failure of the human project. It is a feature of it. As for why some people find this easier than others, she is direct. Early family history makes a real difference. Our sense of being worthy of compassion was modelled for us by whether we received it. Want to go deeper? Join Sounds True One for more like this. Get your first month FREE at https://bit.ly/4ctecMn Subscribe to Sounds True's YouTube Channel ► https://bit.ly/SubscribeSTYT Sounds True is a mission-driven learning and media company, and a recognized leader in wellbeing, personal growth, and spiritual transformation. Partnering with the world’s foremost wisdom teachers and best-selling authors, the company reaches millions worldwide with its unique programs, digital learning experiences, and worldwide events. The company also features a variety of original series, weekly shows, and live online experiences on Sounds True One, its global platform and community with members across more than 125 countries. Sounds True is a Public Benefit Corporation and also the home of the Sounds True Foundation. Connect with us: ▪️Facebook: http://bit.ly/2XFIIeE ▪️Instagram: http://bit.ly/2UlEoiH ▪️Website: http://bit.ly/2tOl02d