19/01/2026
We all long for someone to offer us unconditional love and support. But what if that person is us? The practice of mindful self-compassion creates the space we need so that observation, acceptance, and real love can enter, no matter how judgmental or disconnected we may feel.
It sounds like a simple idea: to be kind to yourself. But if you pay attention to your thoughts, habits, and self-talk, you may find that it’s more difficult than it sounds. The intentional practice of self-compassion, outlined here by Bodhipaksa – a practicing meditator of more than thirty years, can help you find greater overall wellbeing, emotional resilience, physical health, and willpower.
In This Difficult Thing of Being Human, Bodhipaksa provides both the why and the how of mindful self-compassion, drawing on contemporary psychology and neuroscience and also on Buddhist psychology, weaving the modern and ancient together into a coherent whole.
On a side note, the friend I lent this book to accidentally got it wet and slightly damaged the cover. While she felt really guilty and was very apologetic, I think it adds character to the book. After all, embracing imperfections is very much aligned with the book’s message :)
