The neuroscience of compassion
The human brain has evolved to keep us safe from harm. When we encounter a potential threat, alarm signals pulse through the nervous system to keep us safe and get us back on track. In an attempt to keep us safe, our threat systems is always on, and is never switched off. Our brains emotional response to threat is much faster than our logical response.Many humans are unconciously in a constant state of threat, which over tinme can lead to long term serous illness.
Recent neuroscience research has examined brain activity associated with self compassion and kindness. Initial findings suggest that compassion can reduce or neutralise the brains reaction to threat. The five day conference at Samye Ling explored the links between compassion and neuroscience from a secular perspective.
By clicking the link below you will find key references regarding the importance of compassion when practicing mindfulness.The papers and resources highlight
recent research, which has concluded that practicing compassion
deactivates threat signals in the brain. This may be very
important in the field of achieving good mental health.
Neuroscience of Compassion Conference 7/6/2010 - 12/6/10 Samye Ling, Scotland
Whats the connection between mindfulness and compassion?
The human brain has evolved to keep us safe from harm. When we encounter a potential threat, alarm signals pulse through the nervous system to keep us safe and get us back on track. Unfortunately, our brains strategies to protect us often lead to further distress which may be expressed as worry, regret, blame, frustration or anger.
Recent neuroscience suggests that humans have three main ways of regulating emotion:
In an attempt to keep us safe, our threat systems is always on, and is never switched off. Our brains emotional response to threat is much faster than our logical response. Whilst this allows us to react quickly to keep us safe from real or percieved threats, it means that we tend to react instinctively to percieved threats long before logic kicks in.
In the past humans were frequently faced with real danger such as wild animals, nowadays our threat system is most frequently activated by other humans. 
Many humans are unconciously in a constant state of threat, possibly triggered by critical bosses, family problems, self critism, unattainable goals or dysfunctional relationships. When under constant real or percieved threat, cortisol is released in the brain. Long term exposure to excess cortisol can lead to serious illnesses.
Recent neuroscience research has examined brain activity associated with self compassion and kindness. Initial findings suggest that compassion can reduce or neutralise the brains reaction to threat. Mindfulness teaches us to be more aware of the present moment including how our bodies are feeling. This can help us become more aware of tension in the body indicating stress and activation of our threat systems. When we are aware that we are in threat mode, we are able to do something about it. Use of compassionate mind exercises can act as an antidote to threat, neutralising or reducing our brains reaction to it by releasing naturally produced opiates into the brain. This helps us become calmer and see things more clearly.
The five day conference at Samye Ling explored the links between compassion and neuroscience from a secular perspective.
By clicking the link below you will find key references regarding the importance of compassion when practicing mindfulness. The papers and resources highlight recent research, which has concluded that practicing compassion deactivates threat signals in the brain. This may be very important in the field of achieving good mental health.
Links and resources
Alistair Wilson's presentation on the neuroscience of awarenessAlistair Wilson's presentation on the neuroscience of compassion
Eckard Krueger's presentation on Self compassion Please note: Eckhards presentation is written in Prezi, not powerpoint. This link will download a 25MB zip file containing everything you need to access the presentation, but you will need to extract ALL the files and then double click the red Prezi file to play the presentation.
Dr Christine Braehler's presentation Christine's presentation illustrate some key theoretical concepts underpinning compassionate mind training. CMT is primarily based on an evolutionary and neuroscientific understanding of affect regulation. It focuses specifically on shame and self-criticism. Compassion training allows individuals to counterregulate their shaming and self-critical tendencies, which maintain emotional distress. Further information on references, training and exercise materials on Compassionate Mind Training can be obtained using the Paul Gilbert Compassionate Mind link below.
Paul Gilbert compassionate letter writing handout
Key scientific compassion and neuroscience references 1
Key scientific compassion and neuroscience references 2
Loving kindness handout from Heather Regan-Addis
Tonglen handout from Heather Regan Addis
Paul Gilbert: The Compassionate Mind Foundation Set up in 2006 the Foundation aims to promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion.
Interesting video about a neuroscientist who had a stroke. Jill Bolte Taylor experienced what it feels like to lose your sense of self.