Developing a Compassionate Witness

Many of us have an inner critic that repeatedly judges us and criticizes us. It has become a habitual way of thinking that we learned to keep us safe. By pointing out our faults and mistakes and how we compare to others, the mind is trying to avoid rejection and disapproval from others, which would have led to death if we lived in the days of primitive man. This no longer relevant in today’s’ world where rejection does not lead to death, and compassion, rather than criticism, is more likely to help us flourish in life. Yet self compassion does not come naturally and has to be cultivated. 

If you repeatedly practice self compassion, by saying kind words to yourself and putting a kind expression on your face, it will come more naturally. New brain pathways involving a compassionate inner carer will replace the old well worn tracks of the inner critic. Your inner critic will be replaced by a compassionate witness who knows your trials and tribulations better than anyone and is always with you to support you through the ups and downs of life.  Connecting to this resource within you will mean that you are no longer alone as confront the challenges in life. For more about developing this powerful resource, read my article on Compassion.