August 14, 2018 - The Work I've Been Doing
Mark here (I guess I'm always here, but it's just me on this post.). We have posted, almost exclusively, about the fun things we have done here on the blog. It occurs to me that I haven't said much about the work that I have been doing while we've been in England. When we were in Rome, the work I was doing there seemed really interesting and outside of most people's experiences, so it was fun to share it on the blog. Here in England, the work I have been doing, though I feel it is important and useful, feels less interesting to blog about.
Though we have done many fun and interesting things, it has weighed heavily on me the entire time we have been here that I have a responsibility and stewardship to wisely and responsibly use the time and resources I have been granted to be here. As such, I have worked quite hard to make sure that I spend as much time as possible studying and learning. Even on the days that were most packed with "fun" things (with the exception of a few days when we have had guests), I spent significant time reading and studying. In addition, Heather typically read to me in the car as we drove to and from our destinations. I am currently well into my 18th work-related book since we got here (and I am a slow reader). I have also done significant work on several other work-related projects (e.g., preparing for a class I will be teaching in the Fall, working on several research articles to submit for publication, developing presentations, etc.). I'm pleased with what I have done, and it has been an amazing blessing to have the chance to really immerse myself in learning Compassion-Focused Therapy and to read many books that I have wanted to read for years, but just haven't been able to make the time to do so. Frankly, I still can't believe I was given this opportunity, and I'm so grateful for what it has done for me and my family.
My main goal in coming to Derbyshire was to learn Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). The Compassionate Mind Foundation is the organization that is at the heart of CFT, and they have their main office here in Derby. I was able to visit the office and connect with them around a research collaboration that is occurring between BYU and them. I have also attended a couple of intensive CFT trainings, including one with the originator of CFT and the Compassionate Mind Foundation, Paul Gilbert. In addition to formal trainings, I also was able to spend over eight hours one-on-one with an expert in applying to CFT to people with disordered eating (Ken Goss). We were able to talk about how I can use CFT in my work with people who have eating disorders and with my other clients. We also talked extensively about how the counseling center at BYU is currently treating people with eating disorders and different ways we might proceed with treatment in the future. I am currently reading my sixth book on CFT, and I have read many more that relate well with it (e.g., books on mindfulness). Though I don't subscribe to everything about CFT, I really appreciate the perspective it offers, and I'm sure I will incorporate it into much of the work I do.
I won't go into a lengthy description of CFT here, but the Compassionate Mind Foundation says the following about compassion and CFT on their website:
When people hear the word compassion, they tend to think of kindness. But scientific study has found the core of compassion to be courage.
A standard definition of compassion is, "a sensitivity to suffering in self and others with a commitment to try to alleviate and prevent it."
The courage to be compassionate lies in the willingness to see into the nature and causes of suffering - be that in ourselves, in others and the human condition. The challenge is to acquire the wisdom we need to address the causes of suffering in ourselves and others.
Compassion is one of the most important declarations of strength and courage known to humanity. It is difficult and powerful, infectious and influential. It is a universally recognised motivation with the ability to change the world.
Wikipedia also has a decent summary of CFT.
I don't have much to "show" for what I have done in terms of pictures, but below are a couple from the trainings I attended. The only other thing I can show is me sitting in a beautiful places to study. I know, rough life, right?!
Though we have done many fun and interesting things, it has weighed heavily on me the entire time we have been here that I have a responsibility and stewardship to wisely and responsibly use the time and resources I have been granted to be here. As such, I have worked quite hard to make sure that I spend as much time as possible studying and learning. Even on the days that were most packed with "fun" things (with the exception of a few days when we have had guests), I spent significant time reading and studying. In addition, Heather typically read to me in the car as we drove to and from our destinations. I am currently well into my 18th work-related book since we got here (and I am a slow reader). I have also done significant work on several other work-related projects (e.g., preparing for a class I will be teaching in the Fall, working on several research articles to submit for publication, developing presentations, etc.). I'm pleased with what I have done, and it has been an amazing blessing to have the chance to really immerse myself in learning Compassion-Focused Therapy and to read many books that I have wanted to read for years, but just haven't been able to make the time to do so. Frankly, I still can't believe I was given this opportunity, and I'm so grateful for what it has done for me and my family.
My main goal in coming to Derbyshire was to learn Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). The Compassionate Mind Foundation is the organization that is at the heart of CFT, and they have their main office here in Derby. I was able to visit the office and connect with them around a research collaboration that is occurring between BYU and them. I have also attended a couple of intensive CFT trainings, including one with the originator of CFT and the Compassionate Mind Foundation, Paul Gilbert. In addition to formal trainings, I also was able to spend over eight hours one-on-one with an expert in applying to CFT to people with disordered eating (Ken Goss). We were able to talk about how I can use CFT in my work with people who have eating disorders and with my other clients. We also talked extensively about how the counseling center at BYU is currently treating people with eating disorders and different ways we might proceed with treatment in the future. I am currently reading my sixth book on CFT, and I have read many more that relate well with it (e.g., books on mindfulness). Though I don't subscribe to everything about CFT, I really appreciate the perspective it offers, and I'm sure I will incorporate it into much of the work I do.
I won't go into a lengthy description of CFT here, but the Compassionate Mind Foundation says the following about compassion and CFT on their website:
When people hear the word compassion, they tend to think of kindness. But scientific study has found the core of compassion to be courage.
A standard definition of compassion is, "a sensitivity to suffering in self and others with a commitment to try to alleviate and prevent it."
The courage to be compassionate lies in the willingness to see into the nature and causes of suffering - be that in ourselves, in others and the human condition. The challenge is to acquire the wisdom we need to address the causes of suffering in ourselves and others.
Compassion is one of the most important declarations of strength and courage known to humanity. It is difficult and powerful, infectious and influential. It is a universally recognised motivation with the ability to change the world.
Wikipedia also has a decent summary of CFT.
I don't have much to "show" for what I have done in terms of pictures, but below are a couple from the trainings I attended. The only other thing I can show is me sitting in a beautiful places to study. I know, rough life, right?!
It has been amazing to be here. I'm tremendously grateful to have the opportunity!
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