Perlman, H. H. (1979) Relationship. The heart of helping people, Chicago: University of Chicago Press. If we do not know who we are then we cannot know those we work with, nor the subjects we teach and explore.

Decision-making and social work in Scotland | Iriss Decision-making and social work in Scotland | Iriss

As well as knowing themselves, Smith and Smith (2008) argue that helpers also need certain other qualities. When people search for someone to help them reflect upon and improve their lives, they tend to be drawn into relationship with those who are seen or experienced as caring, committed and wise. They are liable to look around for help from people whom they can approach easily and with confidence. They ask people they know who they would recommend and/or approach those they already know to offer helping relationships. Compassion The knowledge of science was a knowledge of universals (e.g., A2 + B2 = C2), things that were universally true and not bound by place or time. The knowledge of art (i.e., skill) was a kind of knowledge that could be applied to a task and set aside (e.g., the knowledge a shoemaker possesses). Practical wisdom, however, was a bit more complicated, interesting, and for teachers, important. Practical wisdom is concerned with both the context and reasons for the decisions we make. It is not the kind of knowledge we selectively apply; it is a knowledge we carry with us at all times. It is based on our past experiences, our values, our moral sensibilities, and our knowledge of ideas that might be brought to bear on a par ticular problem. In short, practical wisdom is doing the right things, for good reasons, in the best ways. Compassion is being in tune with oneself, the other person(s) and the whole world. It is goodness at its most intuitive and unreflecting. It is a harmony which opens itself and permits the flowing out of love toward others without any reward. It avoids using people as tools. It sees them as complete and without a need to be changed. (Brandon 1990: 60)Ellerman, David (2001) Helping People Help Themselves: Towards a Theory of Autonomy-Compatible Help. World Bank, Policy Research Working Paper 2693[ http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2001/12/11/000094946_ Truth: In fact, self-compassion is a reliable source of inner strength that confers courage and enhances resilience when we’re faced with difficulties. Research shows self-compassionate people are better able to cope with tough situations like divorce, trauma, or chronic pain.

Chapter 2: Practical Wisdom – Core Teaching Skills Chapter 2: Practical Wisdom – Core Teaching Skills

Empathy is being able to perceive others’ feelings (and to recognize our own emotions), to imagine why someone might be feeling a certain way, and to have concern for their welfare. Once empathy is activated, compassionate action is the most logical response. Many confuse empathy (feeling with someone) with sympathy (feeling sorry for someone). Empathy Can Be Taught Smith and Smith (2008: 57-69) have argued that helpers need to cultivate wisdom – both in themselves and those they help. It is quality which especially attracts people to them for help. However, while they possess expertise: We may find it hard to empathize with some people. But that doesn’t mean we can’t strengthen our empathy muscles, according to psychiatrist and researcher Helen Riess, author of the book The Empathy Effect. Riess uses the acronym EMPATHY to outline the steps of her program:Any moment you notice a surge of a difficult emotion—boredom, contempt, remorse, shame—pause, put your hand on your heart (this activates the release of oxytocin, the hormone of safety and trust). Every day, teachers face scores of decisions that influence student learning and development. Even seemingly simple decisions may be more complex than they appear. Should you allow a student to turn in her paper late? How should you respond to Josh and Steve who are talking, again, during 5th period? What should you teach next week, and how should it be organized? How should you evaluate your unit on mammals? The best teachers are equipped with a well-developed and thoughtful intellectual framework that helps them to make sound educational decisions based upon a myriad of factors that influence those decisions. Though the first three steps of RAIN require some intentional activity, the N is the treasure: A liberating homecoming to our true nature. There’s nothing to do for this last part of RAIN; we simply rest in natural awareness. Identify why you feel the person is wise. Is it because the person is extremely well read? Does she give excellent advice when people are in need? Does he seem like he's figured out the meaning of life?

Practice Wisdom | Social Work | Oxford Academic Practice Wisdom | Social Work | Oxford Academic

one of the participants intends that there should come about in one or both parties, more appreciation of, more expression of, more functional use of the latent inner resources of the individual. (Rogers 1967: 40) Step out of your comfort zone. If you’re afraid to do something, perhaps that’s the very thing you should try to do. When you have to deal with an awkward or scary situation, you come out on the other side better equipped to handle fear the next time you face it. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face . . . we must do that which we think we cannot.”

Y: Your response. Riess is not talking about what you’ll say next, but how you resonate with the person you are talking to. Whether or not we’re aware of it, we tend to sync up emotionally with people, and how well we do it plays a role in how much we understand them. How to Care Deeply Without Burning Out By putting yourself in other people’s shoes and seeing their point of view, you can become more open-minded and conscientious which can have an impact on your decisions.

Practicing Wisdom - The Wisdom Experience

When considering caring and caring relationships it is helpful first to distinguish, as Nel Noddings does, between ‘caring about’ and ‘caring for’. Study the early texts. The early texts' presentations tend to be the simplest and most straightforward; however, over the last 100-odd years, there's been a great deal of research into texts that may be recognised and those determined to be inauthentic. The complication is that these recent distinctions are not always known by those starting or keeping a practice, so teachers can often innocently present later ideas and concepts traditionally thought of as being authentically the Buddha's own. Fortunately it's becoming much easier in the 21st century for everyday practitioners to find out for themselves. For example, one important device for the Stoics is the evening journal — a tool for self-reflection to help us learn from our experiences and better ourselves. In Zen and the Art of Helping David Brandon argued that ‘The real kernel of all our help, that which renders it effective, is compassion’ (1990: 6). He continues: Rogers, C. R. (1961) On Becoming a Person. A therapist’s view of psychotherapy, Boston: Houghton Mifflin (1967 – London: Constable).

Natural loving awareness occurs when identification with the self is loosened. This practice of non-identification means that our sense of who we are is not fused with any limiting emotions, sensations, or stories. When we are mindful of our struggles, and respond to ourselves with compassion, kindness, and support in times of difficulty, things start to change. We can learn to embrace ourselves and our lives, despite inner and outer imperfections, and provide ourselves with the strength needed to thrive. The Common Myths of Self-Compassion