the compassionate mind foundation
For thousands of years, compassion has been seen as the antidote to suffering
and harmfulness. Research has now revealed how our capacities for compassion
evolved, how it works in our bodies and our brains, and when cultivated, is a
source of courage and wisdom to address suffering. The definition of compassion
used by the Compassionate Mind Foundation is "...a sensitivity to suffering in
self and others with a commitment to try to alleviate and prevent it."
Compassionate courage lies in the willingness to see into the nature and causes
of suffering - in ourselves, others and the human condition. The Compassionate
Mind Foundation was founded as an international charity in 2006 by Professor
Paul Gilbert and colleagues including Prof Deborah Lee, Dr Mary Welford, Dr
Chris Irons, Dr Ken Goss, Dr Ian Lowens, Dr Chris Gillespie, Diane Woollands and
Jean Gilbert. We believe that one of the greatest challenges facing humanity is
how to stimulate compassionate ways of thinking and problem solving for the
benefit of all. The Compassionate Mind Foundation promotes an evolutionary and
bio-psycho-social informed approach to compassion which now forms the basis of a
psychotherapy (CFT) and Compassionate Mind Training. The last 15 years have seen
an expanding evidence base for a compassion focused approach to the alleviation
of mental health difficulties and promoting wellbeing. It is now being used
internationally in various settings including hospitals, prisons, schools and
businesses.
