This volume explores the implications of humans as evolved social animals. Gilbert suggests that evolution has given rise to a varied set of social competencies which form the basis of our personal knowledge and understanding. These competencies are classified as: a) Care eliciting b) Care giving c) Co?operating and d) Competing. Each of these are seen as core schemata, or archetypal potentials around which knowledge is built, and from which, our propensity for suffering flow. For example our predisposition to think of ourselves as superior or inferior to others comes from innate competencies which evolve from dominance and social ranking. Gilbert shows how primitive competencies become modified by experience and what happens when this modification is unsatisfactory, for example leading to preoccupations with fantasy and behaviour which is dominance and power focused. Throughout the text Gilbert shows how two psychological systems (derived from ethological and experimental work), labelled the defense and safety system dominate the unfolding and integration of human mental life. In the last chapter these varied themes are brought together to indicate how the social construction of self arises from the organization of knowledge encoded within the four competencies. Gilbert highlights how cultural factors may modify and activate many of our more primitive competencies leading not only to pathology proneness but also to behaviours that are collectively survival threatening.

Human Nature and Suffering

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Gilbert PhD, Paul

Psychology & Counseling

The Guilford Press

Bringing the reader up to date on current research and theory, this volume presents an ambitious overview of the various psychological approaches to understanding and treating depression. Part I explores the major distinctions among all types of depression, including discussion of seasonal affective disorder, postnatal depression, and depression in children. A chapter on epidemiology covers issues of prevalence, relapse, long-term outcome, and chronic depression. In addition, the relationship between depression and the personality disorders is examined in detail.

Depression: The Evolution of Powerlessness

Mental Health

In societies that encourage us to compete with each other, compassion is often seen as a weakness. Striving to get ahead, self-criticism, fear, and hostility toward others seem to come more naturally to us. Yet researchers have found that developing kindness and compassion for ourselves and others builds our confidence, helps us create meaningful, caring relationships, lowers anxiety and hostility, and promotes physical and mental health. The Compassionate Mind reveals the evolutionary and social reasons why our brains react so readily to threats. Because of this tendency, it's easy to slip into anger, fear, and depression, and compassion can be difficult for us. This is not our fault. However, research has shown that our brains are also hardwired to respond to kindness and compassion. Building on this latest research, this book offers many practical exercises to help deepen compassion towards ourselves and others. Far from fostering emotional weakness, compassion subdues our anger and increases our courage and resilience to depression and anxiety. Wisely used, compassion arms us with the strength to pursue genuine happiness, peace of mind, and peace in the world. This book blends compassion focused therapy (CFT), attachment theory, neuroscience, and powerful mindfulness practices to help you develop a compassionate mind, and a better you.

The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Life's Challenges

Parenting & Relationships

New Harbinger Publications

Are you ready to transform your mind and emotions? To cultivate compassion, stability, self-confidence, and well-being? If so, get ready to change the way you experience your life with this highly-anticipated approach using mindfulness and compassion.Therapists have long been aware of mindfulness as a powerful attention skill that can help us live with greater clarity and awareness―but mindfulness alone is not enough to completely change the way a brain works. In order to fully thrive, we require motivation. Compassion, like anger or aggression, is an extremely powerful motivational force that can bring about real, lasting change. Written by the founder of compassion-focused therapy (CFT), Paul Gilbert and former Buddhist monk, Choden, Mindful Compassion is a unique blending of evolutionary and Buddhist psychology. In this breakthrough book, you’ll learn how traditional mindfulness and compassion can work in harmony to offer a new, effective, and practical approach to overcoming everyday emotional and psychological problems.If you are ready to end toxic self-criticism, heal trauma and shame, feel worthy and loveable, and be kinder to yourself and others, this book can show you the way.

Mindful Compassion: How the Science of Compassion Can Help You Understand Your Emotions, Live in the Present, and Connect Deeply with Others

Choden

«Durante mucho tiempo Paul Gilbert ha estado haciendo contribuciones seminales a nuestra comprensión de la compasión y cómo, si se cultiva sistemáticamente, puede convertirse en una fuerza para el mayor bien de nuestros corazones y del mundo. Este libro ofrece una perspectiva evolutiva profunda y convincente sobre el cerebro humano, la mente y la cultura. Demuestra hasta qué punto nuestra razón de ser y nuestro bienestar dependen de nuestra capacidad innata para extender la compasión sincera hacia nosotros mismos y hacia los demás. También nos guía hábilmente en el trabajo con tendencias profundamente arraigadas como la ansiedad, la ira y la depresión, para que no dominen nuestras vidas y erosionen nuestra salud y felicidad. Escrito con un profundo sentido de bondad hacia todos los que sufren, incluyendo uno mismo, este libro es una puerta de acceso muy amistosa, práctica y potencialmente iluminadora y sanadora a lo que es más profundo y mejor en nosotros y que a menudo no reconocemos o desconocemos completamente». 
—Jon Kabat-Zinn es profesor emérito de medicina en la facultad de medicina de la Universidad de Massachusetts y es autor de Mindfulness en la vida cotidiana y Vivir con plenitud las crisis. 
«Cualquiera que sufra a causa de su autocrítica debería leer este libro. El profesor Gilbert escribe de manera magistral sobre cómo entrenar nuestra mente compasiva, un enfoque innovador que es probable que sea más relevante durante la próxima década, a medida que se confirmen sus beneficios». 
David Veale, Instituto de Psiquiatría, King’s College, Londres 
«Paul Gilbert es uno de los científicos más brillantes que están estudiando actualmente la compasión. En este maravilloso libro elabora teorías muy accesibles y sensatas. Hace que se sienta como si estuviera charlando con él en su salón tomando un té». 
Kristin Neff, profesora agregada de Desarrollo Humano, Universidad de Texas en Austin 
«La necesidad creciente de incrementar la competitividad en todos los aspectos de nuestra vida puede resultar eficiente, pero convivir de este modo resulta frío, desalmado y muy poco agradable. Gilbert nos muestra cómo y por qué ocurre esto, y nos explica por qué nuestra capacidad para ser compasivos es el antídoto». 
Oliver James, autor de Affluenza y The Selfish Capitalist

La mente compasiva: Una nueva forma de enfrentarse a los desafíos vitales (Spanish Edition)

Gilbert, Paul

Editorial Eleftheria S.L.