Description

The concept of self-compassion became more prominent in mental health conversations in 2003; it has helped to shape the view that one's relationship to self impacts one's ability to relate to others (Neff, 2003). While this overall concept is not new, the idea that compassion specifically shapes this interaction provides a new lens. Psychologists began looking at the idea of relationship to self through the concept of self-esteem. Neff (2011) aimed to further the field of psychology's understanding of relationship to self through the ideas of compassion rooted in Buddhist philosophy. From this perspective, one can only show true compassion, love, or kindness to others once they have been able to do so within themselves.