Virtual 8-week PLUS 1/2 day Retreat - Mindful Self-Compassion Workshop

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”

― Gautama Buddha

Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding. 

Self-Compassion can be learned by anyone.

The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity and balanced, mindful awareness. Kindness opens our hearts to suffering so we can give ourselves what we need. Common humanity opens us to our essential interrelatedness so that we know we aren't alone. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warm-hearted, connected presence.

Rapidly expanding research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, less anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships. And it's easier than you think.

After participating in this workshop, you'll be able to:

• Practice self-compassion in daily life
• Understand the empirically supported benefits of self compassion
• Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
• Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
• Transform challenging relationships, old and new
• Manage caregiver fatigue
• Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation

What to Expect

Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion and home practices. MSC is a workshop rather than a retreat. The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life.

MSC is primarily a compassion training program rather than mindfulness training like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), although mindfulness is the foundation of self-compassion. MSC is also not psychotherapy insofar as the emphasis of MSC is on building emotional resources rather than addressing old wounds. Positive change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way.

MSC includes 8 weekly sessions of 2.5 hours each in addition to a 4 hour retreat. Prior to registering, participants should plan to attend every session and practice mindfulness and self-compassion at least 30 minutes per day throughout the program.

No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend MSC. To insure safety, participants are asked to provide background information when they register for the program. All submitted information will be kept confidential.

It is recommended that participants read one or both of the following books before or during the program:

Self-Compassion: The proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, by Kristen Neff

The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, by Christopher Germer.

Meeting dates & times will be as follows for this workshop:

April 2, 10am to 12-noon

April 9, 10am to 12-noon

April 16, 10am to 12-noon

April 23, 10am to 12-noon

April 30, 8:30am to 1:30pm

May 7, 10am to 12-noon

May 14, 10am to 12-noon

May 21, 10am to 12-noon

May 28, 10am to 12-noon

June 4, 10am to 12-noon (for make-up class if necessary)