Self Compassion, The Buddhist Way! Are You Compassionate Towards Yourself?

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"If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." says the Buddha. Are we compassionate towards ourselves is the million dollar question? Let's discover it in the Buddhist way.

The Meaning of Self Compassion

Self compassion is showing kindness towards oneself as much as extending it to others. It is to understand oneself beyond being judgemental when one fails or suffers. It is about being compassionate towards oneself beyond self criticism. Self compassion is about being kind to oneself on the physical and mental level and realising one's true self on the spiritual level.

Why is self compassion important?

Self compassion is of prime importance for one's physical and mental well being. It harbours happiness, peace and optimism in one who is compassionate with himself. As per the Buddhist quote, "Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional," self compassion allows one to handle suffering better because one knows oneself better.

Much of the trouble in the world is attributed to not having a clear understanding of oneself, which brings about suffering. When one doesn't know how to handle his suffering, he spills it, which causes others around him to suffer as well. Self compassion paves the way for being a balanced individual because he has the knowledge about himself. "You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection," says the Buddha. Hence, it is important to be compassionate with oneself.

How to practise Self compassion?

Celebrate solitude

In the modern world, one is thoroughly engaged in the rate race and the fast pace of life that one hardly has time for oneself to be in touch with one's inner being. So bask in solitude. "Delight in meditation and solitude. Compose yourself, be happy. You are a seeker," says the Buddha.

Meditate regularly in order to connect with your inner being. Meditation is the key to the treasure house of your inner being, which in turn is the greatest source of compassion. Meditation is a sure way of self compassion and spreading it to others as well.

Take care of your body

"To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear," says the Buddha. The body and the mind are interdependent on each other. A healthy body paves the way for a sound mind and vice versa. So nurture your body with healthy eating habits and regular exercise. Be compassionate towards your body.

Watch your thoughts

Watch your thought patterns. Never indulge in self-derogatory thoughts. "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world," says the Buddha. Checking the quality of thoughts when they arise whether they are optimistic, uplifting and encouraging or derogatory and pessimistic, you can slowly gain control over the mind. Thoughts determine the actions and actions form habits and repeated habits form the character. Hence, watch your thoughts. So be compassionate with yourself by thinking right.

Be mindful in what you do

Practise mindfulness in whatever you do, not allowing the thoughts owing to the memories of the past and anxieties of the future to interfere with the present. The Buddha says, "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." This is also a way to foster Self compassion.

Be grateful for what you have

"Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate that which they already have," says the Buddha. Start appreciating things however small or mundane they may be and feel grateful for what you have. This will bring about magic in your day to day life and help you see the extraordinary in the ordinary. A grateful heart is compassionate to itself.

So let us follow the Buddha. Let us practise Self compassion for our wellbeing and for the welfare of others as well.