The students who created the course recommended the following reading and the comments are their comments.
EMPATHY CARRIE STECKL, PH.D. BY CARRIE STECKL, PH.D. DEC 4, 2012
https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/empathy-it-s-about-happiness-too/
This article looks at empathy from a viewpoint of joy and how we are good at empathising with people when there is something wrong but how empathising with people when they are happy can feel alien to us.
Empathy, education and interpersonal engagement EDWARD G. SPILG DIVISION OF GERIATRIC MEDICINE ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE VICE CHAIR PHYSICIAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS, Ottowa Hospital
It looks at empathy from the four perspectives
Philosophy • Psychology • Clinical neuroscience • Affective and social neuroscience
COMPASSION
Kirsten Neff
In addition to her pioneering research into self-compassion, she has developed an 8-week program to teach self-compassion skills. The program, co-created with her colleague Chris Germer, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, is called Mindful Self-Compassion. Her book, Self-Compassion, was published by William Morrow in April, 2011.
This is Kirsten Neffs website she has worked and research a lot on self compassion and has on line meditations, explanations and suggestions into how we can be more compassionate to ourselves.
Jack Kornfield
In 1975, he co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with Sharon Salzbergand Joseph Goldstein, and subsequently in 1987, Spirit Rock Meditation Centerin Woodacre, California. Kornfield has organized teacher training and led international gatherings of Buddhist teachers including the Dalai Lama and has worked as a peacemaker and activist.
https://jackkornfield.com/meditation-lovingkindness/
Understanding
Understanding Wellness and Using Wellness Strategies
This website gives explanations around wellness and activities to explore strategies
http://content.ementhe.eu/Promotion-and-prevention/Understanding-wellness
Detailed explanation of understanding
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Understanding
WHO book about developing holistic services in mental health (not my favourite as its complex and long and may be more for a mental health professional than service user)
Metta Bhavana
This is a full lead-through of the traditional meditation practice known as ‘Metta Bhavana’ – the development of loving kindness. The Metta Bhavana is one of the bases of any Buddhist practice – an essential complement to breath-based mindfulness meditations. 42 minutes practice