Loving-Kindness, Compassion, and Self-Compassion Meditation

The expansion of compassion-oriented practices in Western psychology represents a 'second mindfulness revolution' building on the earlier dissemination of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. This chapter traces the historical and conceptual foundations of compassion practices across Buddhist traditions and contemporary psychology, arguing that growing societal concerns about conflict, competition, and violence have stimulated scientific and clinical interest in prosocial qualities such as empathy, altruism, and compassion. The authors conceptualize this shift as a distinct movement that has informed therapeutic models including dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Western psychology and psychiatry through the dissemination of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and subsequently informed a range of therapeutic models, including dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Alongside this “first” mindfulness movement, growing societal concerns about conflict, competition, and violence stimulated scientific and clinical interest in prosocial qualities such as empathy, altruism, and compassion. This chapter conceptualizes the resulting expansion of compassion-oriented practices as a “second mindfulness revolution” and traces its historical and conceptual foundations across Buddhist traditions and contemporary psychology.