What Blocks Compassion?

Dr. Paul Gilbert is the head of the Mental Health Research Unit as well as Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby. Dr. Gilbert was another speaker at  the conference for Empathy and Compassion in Society in London in the fall of 2012. His subject was what blocks compassion. He talked about suffering and how we […]

The Four Types Of Compassion

Dr. Paul Ekman is a famous psychologist who studied the facial expressions of emotions. Before he met the Dalai Lama, he did not know anything about Buddhism and now he is encouraging people to meditate. I had the great pleasure of listening to him speak at The Center For Commpassion and Altruism Research and Education […]

Roshi Joan Halifax Is Coming To Stanford

Roshi Joan Halifax is coming to Stanford University in one week on February 20, 2013. She will be in conversation with Dr. Jim Doty, Stanford neuroscientist and founder of The Center for Compassion And Altruism Research And Education (CCARE). When I met Roshi Joan Halifax sixteen years ago, I had no idea she was such an […]

Using WillPower To Curb Your Technology Addiction

Dr. Kelly McGonigal is a teacher at Stanford University for The Center for Compassion And Altruism Research And Education (CCARE). She is also author an important book on “The WillPower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It.” Kelly is one of the world’s experts on willpower. I came […]

Yoga For Pain Relief

Dr. Kelly McGonigal is a yoga teacher as well as being a health scientist and lecturer at the Stanford University Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). She was also a major contributor to the Sounds True production of The Compassionate Brain hosted by Dr. Rick Hanson. Her book, The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You […]

The Five Biggest Myths Of Willpower

Dr. Kelly McGonigal is one of the world’s expert on willpower. She wrote the book on the subject: The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It. She is also a health psychologist and teacher at the Stanford University Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). […]

The Science Of Yoga With Jon Kabat-Zinn And Kelly McGonigal

Jon Kabat-Zinn Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is the brain child of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn. He is the founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts. The MBSR program includes mindfulness meditation and Hatha yoga. He defines mindfulness as “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, […]

What Is The Difference Between Pain And Suffering?

I found this wonderful video on the Buddhist Geeks site and on YouTube. In the video, Kelly McGonigal says that pain is not suffering. Dr. Kelly McGonigal is senior teacher and consultant for the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). She is also author of The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It […]

The Neuroscience Of Meditation

My dharma brother, Paul Tingen, recently published an article on the Mindfulness Bell website. The title of the article is “Using Mindfulness to Rewire the Brain: How the Insights of Neuroscience Can Aid Our Practice.” It explains Paul’s view on the neuroscience of meditation. By dharma brother, I mean that both Paul and I are members of the […]

Compassion Research Has Gone Mainstream

CCARE –The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University was founded in 2005 by Dr. James Doty. This organization demonstrates that compassion research has gone mainstream.The premise of CCARE is that compassion and altruism are innate qualities that all people (and animals – see photo!) share. Their research is totally endorsed […]