Cultivate a sense of common humanity in your struggles from "summary" of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Christopher K. Germer
When we face struggles in our lives, it can be all too easy to feel isolated and alone in our pain. We may believe that we are the only ones going through such difficulties, that no one else could possibly understand what we are going through. This sense of isolation can deepen our suffering, making it even harder to find a way out of our struggles. But cultivating a sense of common humanity in our struggles can help to shift our perspective and bring us much-needed comfort and solace. When we realize that we are not alone in our pain, that others have faced similar challenges and have come through them, we can begin to see our struggles in a different light. We can start to recognize that suffering is a universal human experience, something that connects us to others rather than sets us apart from them. By acknowledging our common humanity, we can develop a sense of empathy and understanding towards ourselves and others. We can offer ourselves the same kindness and compassion that we would offer to a friend in need, recognizing that we are all imperfect and fallible human beings. This self-compassion can help to soften the harsh inner critic that often exacerbates our suffering, allowing us to approach our struggles with greater kindness and care. When we cultivate a sense of common humanity in our struggles, we can also find inspiration and hope in the stories of others who have faced similar challenges. We can learn from their experiences and see that it is possible to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. This can give us the courage and resilience to persevere in the face of adversity, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles.- Cultivating a sense of common humanity in our struggles is about recognizing our shared humanity and interconnectedness. It is about seeing ourselves as part of a larger tapestry of human experience, where suffering is a common thread that binds us together. In embracing this common humanity, we can find strength, resilience, and compassion to navigate our struggles with greater ease and grace.
