Fierce Self-Compassion - by Kristin Neff

Book Synopsis

"A user-friendly guidebook to step boldly into [our] full selves--fierce and tender, kind and powerful, compassionate toward ourselves, and devoted to healing our world. I recommend this book to everyone."--Elizabeth Lesser, cofounder of Omega Institute and bestselling author of Cassandra Speaks and Broken Open

The author of the groundbreaking wellness classic Self-Compassion expands our notion of self-kindness and its capacity to transform our lives, showing us how to balance tender self-acceptance with fierce action to claim our power and change the world.

Although kindness and self-acceptance allow us to be our imperfect selves, the desire to alleviate suffering at the heart of this mindset isn't always gentle: sometimes it's fierce. We must act courageously to protect ourselves from harm and injustice, say no to others to meet our own needs, and motivate change. Gender socialization often demands that we act according to the roles assigned us by society and culture. But like yin and yang, the energies of fierce and tender self-compassion must be balanced for wholeness and well-being.

Kristin Neff explains how we can use fierce and tender self-compassion to succeed in the workplace, to engage in caregiving without burning out, to be authentic with or without a romantic relationship, and to end the silence around sexual harassment and abuse. We must develop fierceness inside us to create a healthier society, find lasting happiness, and achieve balance within ourselves to help restore balance in the world.

Review Quotes

"The authoritative guide to self-compassion for women by the field's pioneering founder and leading spokesperson. Through her science and compelling personal story, Kristin Neff shows us how and why to be kind to ourselves." -- Angela Duckworth, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, author of Grit, and CEO of Character Lab

"In this brilliant new book, Kristin Neff empowers women to combat patriarchy by shining a light on the true nature of compassion-both nurturing and fierce. She gives us potent tools for healing our own wounds and creating a more just, equitable and loving world." -- Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion

"Fierce Self-Compassion encourages anyone who identifies as a woman to claim the strength that comes from caring for ourselves. Kristin Neff has put together a wonderfully woven book, powerfully bringing together the threads of current events, research, personal stories, and #MeToo to create an easy-to-follow guide for ultimate acceptance and action." -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness and Real Change

"I am so grateful to Kristin Neff for doing the research, study, and teaching that it took to write a book as clear and profound as Fierce Self-Compassion. It's no small feat to weave threads from brain science, psychology, gender studies, history, and spiritual practice into a user-friendly guidebook for women who want to step boldly into their full selves--fierce and tender, kind and powerful, compassionate toward themselves and devoted to healing our world. I recommend this book to everyone." -- Elizabeth Lesser, cofounder of Omega Institute, and bestselling author of Cassandra Speaks and Broken Open