How Mindfulness Influences Self-Compassion

Willem Kuyken, PhD, has been at the forefront of merging Eastern mindfulness practices with Western psychological standards. Dr. Kuyken’s academic work significantly contributed to the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life measure, which set the standard for evaluating an individual’s perception of their position in life across cultural and national boundaries.  

 

Drawing on his years of experience, Dr. Kuyken discusses how important mindfulness practices are in clinical settings and how to move those practices into a patient’s daily life and form them into independent habits. 

 

This episode of The Menninger Clinic’s Mind Dive podcast features Dr. Kuyken, accomplished psychologist author, joining for a conversation on mindfulness practices, their importance in clinical settings and how to turn mindfulness practices from task-related labors to an ongoing enriching experience.  

 

“There can be negative thoughts that your mind can place between you and happiness,” said Dr. Kuyken. “I liken these thoughts to wrecking balls, and while they are powerful, if you simply step out of their way, they’ll pass you by.”  

 

Dr. Kuyken is a scientist, author and professor of Mindfulness and Psychological Science at the University of Oxford. He is also director of the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre. His latest book, “Mindfulness for Life,” releases on October 25 and is available for pre-order here. 

 

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