The evolving of compassion has come from  mutual caring of each other.  This can help us feel soothed and safe.  When we are in kind relationships rather then critical and toxic ones the levels of our stress hormones lower and our feel good brain chemicals are higher.  This in turn can effect the immune system and leaves it more robust.

In the Psychologist they did a survey on ageing and mental health.  It was seen that healthy well being was relevant to ones social network.  This is suggestive of connection, others want to be around you if your kind and compassionate which in turn generates an exchange that benefits your well-being.

Paul Gilbert in his book the Compassionate Mind wrote about the process in relation to a neuroscience approach.  That this approach places kindness high on the basic attributes of compassion and well-being.  In his view the belief is that we have evolved out of our capacity for altruism and caring behaviours.  Compassion is defined as behaviour that aims to nurture, look after, teach, guide, mentor, sooth, protect, offer feelings of acceptance and belonging in order to benefit another person.

It seems that Step 7 stuff is a major generator in our brains .  It harnesses certain motives, competencies and resiliencies and organizes them in certain ways that are conducive to our minds and bodies experience of well-being.  But we need to focus and the brain will eventually train and develop these abilities which reap many rewards.  This is why the programme is action based otherwise all of what we say are just words.

Kristin Neff has been developing the concept of self compassion which can help in relation to making sense of humility.  The 3 main areas she talks about is Kindness and understanding difficulties and being warm in the face of failure or set backs rather then judgemental.  The idea of common humanity and seeing our experiences as part of the human condition rather then personal, isolating and shaming.  The mindful acceptance which is awareness of pain and letting the process be rather than over-identifying with these thought and feelings.  This makes me feel “we are all in this together” “we all have difficult feelings and pain” ” we can still make the choice to live with humility” “We make the choice of committing to humility”  ” we will reap the benefits  if we live with loving kindness”.