Selected Books & Audiobooks¶

The Science of Compassion¶

Kelly McGonigal

A primer on compassion that is both personal and full of research. McGonigal culls through the research on compassion for us, bringing to light studies that support and also help explain the importance of compassion. The audio version of the book allows the readers to be led through some meditation and compassion practices — creating space to practice what you’re learning about.

Say What You Mean¶

Oren J. Sofer

How can we listen and engage from a place of compassion for ourselves and the other? So much of our time is spent in conversations with other people, but without intention we often struggle to communicate. This book takes a practical approach to this issue, offering techniques as well as ways of thinking about how to communicate successfully and respectfully. Sofer is a student of NVC….

I recommend the audio book especially. Sofer takes the reader through mindful practices that are easier to practice while listening rather than reading. Sofer creates a vocabulary for emotions and techniques, for distilling the emotional experience from the evaluative experience. This allows room for people to identify their feelings and frame their …..

Already Free¶

Bruce Tift

The Self-Acceptance Project¶

How to be Kind & Compassionate Toward Yourself in Any Situation

Edited by Tami Simon

This collection of essays offers the reader a taste of different ways to conceptualize the practice of self-acceptance. Therapists, academics and a variety of practitioners share their understanding of self-acceptance and some techniques they use to incorporate it into their lives and working with people. For mental health practitioners looking to expand their repertoire of activities and approaches this book offers a series of doors.

Meditations to Change Your Brain¶

Rick Hanson

The Art of Mindful Living¶

Thich Nhat Hanh

A series of audio teachings from Zen meditation master Thich Nhat Hanh. This audio book is a good reminder that compassion doesn’t mean losing your sense of humor. It is a course on accessing compassion through Buddhist practices, some from ancient history and some created by Thich Nhat Hanh. His description of discovering the need to create a hugging meditation allows…..

Awakening Compassion¶

Pema Chödrön

I could listen to this book on repeat, honestly, I should, more honestly, I will. Chödrön discusses compassion from the Buddhist perspective, touching on concepts slowly and individually — building the steps towards understanding and inviting the listener in. Chödrön is humble, funny, and powerfully intelligent. In many ways she is simply a translator for the Western masses of the Buddhist tradition, but translation is in itself an art from.

The Compassionate Mind¶

Paul Gilbert

Radical Compassion¶

Tara Brach

Compassionate Conversations¶

How to Speak and Listen form the Heart

Diane Musho Hamilton, Gabriel Menegale Wilson,
& Kimberly Myosai Loh