Paul Gilbert and Choden: Mindful Compassion: How the Science of Compassion Can Help You Understand Your Emotions, Live in the Present, and Connect Deeply with Others. New Harbinger Publications, 2014, 384 pp

In this intelligent, concise, and easy-to-read book, Paul Gilbert and Choden present a comprehensive synthesis of two psychological traditions: mindfulness and self-compassion. Gilbert and Choden draw upon decades of research and practice as a clinicians and meditators to explain how the brain draws us toward suffering time and again. They then explain how compassion and mindfulness are necessary tools for liberation and present a series of thoughtful exercises to help train the mind to engender these qualities. Throughout the book, the authors thoroughly cover a wide range of relevant psychological research; however, are able to write with clear and compelling prose that makes seemingly complex and esoteric concepts accessible to the general public. This book will be of great benefit to therapists, their clients, trainees, and any individual interested in deepening their understanding of compassion and mindfulness practices. …