Kelly McGonigal - The Power of Compassion in Times of Uncertainty

Kelly McGonigal, PhD

The Power of Compassion in Times of Uncertainty

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About Kelly McGonigal, PhD

Kelly McGonigal is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University who specializes in understanding the mind-body connection. Her mission is to translate insights from psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies that support personal well-being and strengthen communities. She is the best-selling author of The Willpower Instinct and The Upside of Stress. Through the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism, she helped create Stanford Compassion Cultivation Training, a program now taught around the world that helps individuals strengthen their empathy, compassion, and self-compassion. You might know her from her TED talk, "How to Make Stress Your Friend," which is one of the most viewed TED talks of all time, with over 20 million views.

Her new book, The Joy of Movement, explores why physical exercise is a powerful antidote to the modern epidemics of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. You can learn more about Dr. McGonigal and her work at her website.

About Kaleigh Isaacs

Kaleigh Isaacs is the Founder of The Awake Network. She’s an inspired leader, remarkable collaborator, and spontaneous dancer. She sees connections everywhere, and it was this vision on which The Awake Network was founded. That we are stronger together is a motto that goes without saying for her.

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129 Comments

Madhuri March 26, 2020 at 9:44 am

My first time with you guys. My name is Madhuri Land and I’m near downtown Denver.
This mindfulness course is wonderful and Kelly McGonigal has auch sweet and genuine energy. Best meditation leader ever and I’ve seen a lot. Pure, honest energy! Thank you.
Kayleigh you are Joy to watch too. And, just “up the road in Boulder. Love Boulder!!
Can’t wait to see what lies ahead in the course.
I’ll make a day of it since I didn’t tune in until the last day. A mindfulness day!!🥰
Leslie H GUSTASON March 26, 2020 at 8:02 am

I am in Sunshine Canyon in Boulder, Colorado feeling very grateful to you all of you ~especially Kaleigh and Kelly. I look forward to finding ways to contribute my time and energy to helping continue The Awake Network and the community you are helping create. This could not be more timely and beneficial to all of us. Thank you, Leslie
Ali, UK March 25, 2020 at 11:23 pm

Thank you so much for keeping this summit open. I am awake at 4am in the UK with work worries on my mind. The meditation was beautiful,to feel gratitude and compassion and thanks to others, and for the contribution I too am making to my communities
Sophal Khiv March 25, 2020 at 5:34 pm

Thank you for opening this up for those of us who didn’t get to make the summit initially.
Amy March 25, 2020 at 3:04 pm

Thank you for the idea that we may be saving someone’s life and someone may be saving ours by the choices we are making today.
J. Ann m LaBillois March 25, 2020 at 2:47 pm

Hi, I’m In Canada, I’m a Migmaw Native, I so enjoy listening to my brothers and sister of Spirit, and how we just do the Grounding, to know our Peace.
Amy March 25, 2020 at 2:35 pm

Hi, I’m Amy, a psychologist from the Boston area.
Looking forward to this!
linda hosch March 25, 2020 at 9:05 am

thank you, this is my first time joining a mindfulness session. I used mindful breathing as Kelly guided, picturing nostrils in my chest and breathning in energy, then breathing out wishes, by the end my eyes wew tearing my hands and fingers tingling, feeling so connected. peace and love linda in connecticut, usa
Dawn March 25, 2020 at 7:59 am

Thank you so much for pushing this out to the world. This really does help. I do yoga everyday but to actually be able to see another person and hear their comments and ideas.
Lakshmi Raman March 24, 2020 at 7:24 pm

I;m Lakshmi from Bangalore, India. We are going through a difficult time like so many of you around the world. A huge 1..3 billion nation that face a 21-day lockdown starting today. I think of the people who have no means and struggle to feed their families. I have been so stressed this past week. Listening to your guided meditation has helped me destress to a great extent. Thank you.
Karen Lang Harwitt March 24, 2020 at 6:06 pm

Karen from Marlborough School in Los Angeles.
Fiona Maureen Muldrew March 24, 2020 at 3:03 pm

Thanks so much. Very nice image of breathing through the heart and send it out through the heart. We are hoping to do a sound climate strike by sharing music on April 24 to show appreciation for nature and protect the earth.
Deborah Dewey March 24, 2020 at 2:33 pm

From Albany NY area. We are waiting and watching in trepidation and hope.
Jason March 24, 2020 at 12:45 pm

Jason, from Vancouver Canada
Pablo March 24, 2020 at 11:51 am

Love from Ecuador
Jenny Pommer March 24, 2020 at 9:31 am

Thank you very much. I’m in Staunton, Virginia.
Lulu Ravega-Urzua March 24, 2020 at 8:32 am

Hello from California. In these times of uncertainty, i’m feeling a lot of anxiety. I was layed on Friday.
Pat Deutsch March 24, 2020 at 6:59 am

I am in WV…..as a senior counselor who works with those with addictions……I am receiving reach outs from clients who have been to hell and back in their world of addiction to recovery asking about my wellness and offering help to me and my husband. They are success stories and I commend them for their compassion and their kindness. these notes have brought me to tears.
Dina March 24, 2020 at 1:47 am

Sending love and appreciation from Israel. So grateful to have had the chance to join in this special moment of connection. Prayers of health and ease to all:)
Helen Weisman March 23, 2020 at 7:54 pm

I have enjoyed these sessions especially now that we are quarantined in SC. My husband is a double lung transplant and caregiving the past 10 years have been tough and this is what got me into mindfulness.
Wendy Petersen-Boring March 23, 2020 at 6:54 pm

Glad to be here from Oregon.
Nel Benton- Hough March 23, 2020 at 4:55 pm

This meditation reminds me of a guided Meta meditation I participated in years ago! Elissa is so joyfully appreciated in being on the front lines in loving active care.
Thanks for this time ❤ together, with other open- hearted folks around the world!
Angeles March 23, 2020 at 1:33 pm

I’m Ángeles from México City…..Thank you very Much for sharing this meditation, which by all means ,it’s been needed ALL AROUND the WORLD.

May the Creator BLESS US ALL🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤
Ursula March 23, 2020 at 12:47 pm

This was a great way to start the day. Breathing through my heart and seeing it as a container filling with love and strength then exhaling a gift to others for happiness and health. As a Social Emotional teacher working in a school system with adult staff as well as classrooms of children this is something we can all do and benefit from.
Kanela Barton March 23, 2020 at 12:08 pm

This is Kanela Barton,
Living in Palm Springs, CA.
Thank You for your wise, comforting words that encourage & uplift us.
I’m leading an Aquatics class at a Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation facility. I’ll be introducing the Mindful meditation of Breathing thru our hearts, Being in Gratitude with Appreciative JOY!
May what i learn bring Compassion to others
- Nel Benton- Hough March 23, 2020 at 4:33 pm
  
  Thank you
  I’m in Colorado Springs, CO, social distancing with my husband & daughter ( it’s her birthday today).
  I’m grateful for growth through suffering & pain! For friends & communities that accept & love me: We all get through with a little bit of help from our friends. I’m
  Glad to collaborate, communicate & care- mutually giving & receiving.
  Be well
Judy Angyalfy March 23, 2020 at 11:47 am

Thank you for these rich teachings. I’m learning a lot from the corona virus as well. Mostly learning gratitude and compassion.
Tammy March 23, 2020 at 10:53 am

Tammy,
Signing in from Salt Lake City, Utah. Very grateful for everyone and the peace and serenity I am now feeling.
So grateful to the workers on the front lines who are trying to fight this virus, sending appreciation to them.
Susan March 23, 2020 at 10:21 am

Thank you so much for this 15 minutes to allow me to send joy from within to without. My younger sister , her two grown children and husband are all doctors. So my fear is for them and all of the healthcare workers that are on the front lines of this pandemic.