Heartwork: The Path of Self-Compassion-9 Practices for Opening the Heart

by Radhule Weininger, Jack Kornfield (Foreword by)

Overview

Nine simple mindfulness practices anyone can use to generate compassion—toward oneself, others, and the world—and to live from that place of intelligent kindness in the face of life's difficulties.

Compassion is the urge to understand and alleviate the suffering of another being. And if that being happens to be you, then the technique called self-compassion can be the greatest of blessings—for the compassion you learn to apply to yourself naturally extends to all the other people in your life. With the nine simple mindfulness practices she presents here, Radhule Weininger provides a step-by-step course in self-compassion. Using stories drawn from her own life and those of others she shows that, with the right intention and practice, we can all deepen our capacity to respond skillfully to our own suffering and thus to that of others and our world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781611804812
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	07/04/2017
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

RADHULE WEININGER, MD, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who first trained as a medical doctor in Germany before migrating to the US more than thirty years ago. She has a clinical practice in Santa Barbara and runs a yearly program at the La Casa de Marie Retreat Centre. She encountered Buddhism in Sri Lanka as a young medical student. Jack Kornfield and Allan Wallace are her mentors. She teaches meditation retreats both in the US and internationally.

Table of Contents

Foreword Jack Kornfield ix

Introduction xi

How to Use This Book xx

Part 1 My Story

1 Waking Up 3

2 Transformation of Suffering 9

3 Waking Up in Daily Life 13

4 Finding the Heart 17

5 The Birth of My Compassion Practice 22

Part 2 Nine Practices for Cultivating Compassion

6 Introducing Nine Practices for Cultivating Compassion 31

7 Mindfulness Meditation 36

8 The Mindful Pause Practice 46

9 The Heart's Intention Practice 53

10 The Self-Compassion Practice 61

11 The Compassion for Others Practice 70

12 The Heart That Cares for All (Bodhichitta) Practice 82

13 The Compassionate Choice Practice 92

14 The Spiral of Compassion and Forgiveness Practice 110

15 Brief On-the-Go Practices for Mindfulness and Compassion 123

Part 3 Stories

16 Introducing Nine Stories 143

17 When You Experience Self-Criticism 145

18 When Old Family Wounds Haunt You 153

19 When You Feel Betrayed 159

20 When Money Problems Threaten Your Relationship 166

21 When Rage Threatens to Destroy Your Life 174

22 When Self-Hate Turns You against Yourself and Others 186

23 When the World's or Another's Suffering Overwhelms You 193

24 When Blending Families Opens Wounds 201

25 Small Stories, Brief Practices, and Little Healings on the Go 207

Conclusion: Walking on the Mountain 217

Acknowledgments 225

Appendix: Charts 227

Notes 233

Index 235

Editorial Reviews

There is no healing without heartwork, intimately tending to the wounds we’ve been avoiding for so long. In this powerful and beautiful book, Radhule Weininger will help you find the courage, pathways, and clarity needed to embrace this life with love.”
 —Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge 
 
 
“In her practice as a psychotherapist and mindfulness meditation teacher, Radhule Weininger guides her patients along the path of personal transformation through the practice of compassion and self-compassion. From the experience of that work comes Heartwork, a book that weaves together Weininger’s work and personal journey, wisdom teachings and hands-on exercises. Conveyed through prose that is accessible to readers from a range of spiritual traditions and backgrounds, Weininger presents her insights on the methods she has found useful for identifying the roots of the issues we are all grappling with, as a first step toward addressing them through practice and perseverance. Shining through every chapter is the author’s desire to help reduce the suffering that is the common thread connecting humanity.”
—Victor Chan, coauthor of Wisdom of Forgiveness and Wisdom of Compassion with His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
 
 
“Radhule Weininger offers a tremendous gift in her book, Heartwork, which weaves together the beauty of art, the wisdom of reflection, and the effectiveness of years of practical clinical application. The wealth of ideas and practices presented in this illuminating work will be of benefit and will help transform our individual and collective lives.”
—Shauna Shapiro, PhD, professor at Santa Clara University and author of The Art and Science of Mindfulness and Mindful Discipline
 
 
“In its clear, inviting, and practical way, this book can change your life. Drawing on her years of combining mindfulness with the expansive power of compassion, Radhule Weininger brings us practices that serve to free us from fear, despair, self-hate, and other oppressive mind-states. Her three-part book begins with the rare, poignant journey that led her to these discoveries, and then, after their various forms are carefully set forth, concludes with nine real-life stories of how different people have put them to use. Heartwork helps me to be more present in each moment, more mindful of each encounter. I am especially grateful for the importance given to intention and motive in shaping what we accomplish and whom we become.”
—Joanna Macy, author of Coming Back to Life 
 
“This book is brimming with compassion! It’s filled with countless practical exercises, heartfelt stories, and wise guidance for living with an open heart. Radhule beautifully guides us on a journey home to ourselves.”
—Diana Winston, Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center and coauthor of Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness.

"This is a lovely book that presents the topics of compassion for self and others from a Buddhist perspective.  With many meditations and journal exercises, this book will help you open your heart."—Kristin Neff, Ph.D., author of Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

From the Publisher