While we may begin training in self-compassion to ease our own personal pain, the transformation that follows is a deeply practical, radically counter-cultural state of being which directly benefits the world at large.
Blog
Teen MSC Program Now Officially a Program of CMSC
CMSC, Karen Bluth, and Lorraine Hobbs are pleased to announce that Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens is now being solely managed and directed by CMSC. We expect that this move will provide a boost to this unique program that is already touching and inspiring teens around the globe, with over 200 MSC-T teachers having been trained thus far.
Refresh, Renew and Relax at a Weekend Retreat for MSC-T Teachers
June 16-19, 2020 North Carolina, USA Oceanfront, Trinity Episcopal Retreat Center CMSC is excited to announce a retreat for MSC-T teachers in the summer of 2020 on the North Carolina…
The Little Book of Self-Compassion
The Little Book of Self-Compassion by MSC Teacher, Kathryn Lovewell was born out of the desire to share the transformative power, potency and accessibility of Mindful Self-Compassion. It is intended as a deep bow to Chris and Kristin’s work and a “first step” for all those who want kindness inside, but don’t know or believe it is possible.
Sense & Savour With Your MSC Colleagues in Bordeaux
Please join us in Bordeaux, France in October 2020, to share, practice, and learn together with other MSC teachers from around the world. The Sense & Savour retreat is a safe, fun, and creative haven for Mindful Self-Compassion teachers from all around the world who wish to exchange ideas and best practices, refresh personal practice, and learn new ways to promote and market our programs.
Last Call to Join Pilot MSC Teachers’ Practicum
If you’re an MSC Teacher-in-Training but have yet to teach your first group, this is a wonderful opportunity to immerse in the detail of the entire 8-week program in a supportive learning environment before taking the course out into the wider world. Participants learn together to meet the inevitable bumps and surprises of teaching MSC while held safely by experienced senior teachers and in the company of fellow Teachers-in-Training.
Making the Invisible Visible: Using Art to Deepen MSC Practice
Art is a valuable tool in expressing preverbal ideas that may otherwise remain trapped in the body. Here, Helga Luger-Schreiner inspires us to consider art as a tool when making contact with our own bodies, feelings, and emotion, allowing us to not only express unsaid truths, but also to appreciate ourselves for our creativity.
The Case for Surgical Self-Compassion
The ubiquitous story that the road to excellence and high performance should be paved with external or internal criticism and shame is a psychological barrier that needs to be broken down in the world of medicine. Retired thoracic surgeon Michael Maddaus explains why.
Break the Cycle of Anxious Thinking and Get the Sleep You Need: Mindfulness for Insomnia
There are few things that can bring out our common humanity more than the maddening struggle with sleeplessness. Trained mindfulness expert and MSC teacher, Catherine Polan Orzech, teams up with behavioral sleep specialist, William H. Moorcroft, to offer evidence-based meditations and an four-week protocol to address the root of sleep issues.
On the Road to Empowerment: Fierce Self-Compassion for Mothers
Compassion is aimed at the alleviation of suffering—that of others or ourselves— and can be ferocious as well as tender.
-Kristin Neff
Project Huruma: Supporting Kenyan Women and Children in Need
After a devastating attack on over 300 women and children in Elgon, Kenya, a team of MSC teachers aspires to guide and support affected families as they begin to turn toward their grief and suffering. Your financial support helps make the trip possible.
Where Shall We Begin? Cultivating a Compassionate Workplace
Compassion, consciousness and civility in the workplace are essential. Join the Compassionate Leadership Summit and learn new tools to bring your vision for enlightened leadership to life.
Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals
Six years in the making, a comprehensive textbook describing the MSC program is now available.
An Interview with Chris Germer and Kristin Neff on Their New Book: Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program</i>
—✦— Giving oneself compassion is a challenging process for just about everyone. That’s why the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program was created by Drs. Chris Germer and Kristin Neff in 2010…
Medicine for Difficult Times
This incisive and thoughtful commentary teaches how self-compassion, mindfulness, and relationship can support us in coping with tragedy and violence
My first Experience as a Person of Color in MSC — “Is it Really Me?”
I can remember my very first MSC training experience from several years ago like it was yesterday. There was definitely a surge of internal experiences that I observed as I…
Stellar Additions to the CMSC Board of Directors
CMSC would like to welcome new board members, Rainer Beltzner and Randolph Oudemans and thank outgoing board member, Joy Huang, for her service.
Do You Remember?
Self-compassion doesn’t come to life in the land of concepts. It breathes in the unchartered and uncomfortable expanse of living, especially during difficult moments of life. My practice is to remember—pause, breathe, love. As it turns out, when teaching self-compassion to others, I don’t have to know what to say or say the right thing. My job is to open my heart, which opens a door. The rest is not up to me. The door is a portal and often, courageous souls walk through.
Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals
Six years in the making, a comprehensive textbook describing the Mindful Self-Compassion program will finally be released this August. This is THE authoritative guide to conducting the MSC.
“I Can’t Fix This, But I Can Love You.”
As teachers of MSC, our own embodiment serves as a living model for those whom we teach. In this article, Beth Mulligan shares a touching narrative written by one of her participants as his deep practice in retreat made way for his own inner ally to emerge.
“How is Your Heart Today?”<br />Compassion at Angola Prison
Touched by the depth of caring and authentic brotherhood he found during a recent trip to Angola Prison in Louisiana, USA, Chris Germer discovered the power of self-compassion to support those suffering under the oppressive weight of shame for their crimes, their incarceration, and their inability to care for their families while in prison. So where must we go from here?
My First Experience as a Person of Color in MSC — “Is it Really Me?”
I can remember my very first MSC training experience from several years ago like it was yesterday. There was definitely a surge of internal experiences that I observed as I…
Loving, Connected Presence in a Global Classroom
While it might be difficult to imagine an online learning experience being as effective as a traditional classroom experience, we’ve found over the years of teaching MSC online we can come close. If you cannot make it to a live class due to your life circumstances, we invite you to try out online learning for yourself.
Facilitating our Flourishing Circles of Practice
The Circles of Practice also needs you! We have an incredibly dedicated team of experienced teachers who give generously of their time and talent. We want to share the enriching experience of facilitating with other experienced MSC teachers. The Circles of Practice, for the facilitators, is a valuable way to increase their skills in teaching meditation and to contribute to the effort in building a global community of MSC practitioners who come together to grow in compassion.
MSC and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
By Dr. Chris Germer
Co-founder, Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
DEI training may appear to be simply the latest American obsession, but, in my view, it will soon become a global imperative. Regardless of the culture, there are always vast numbers of people who are suffering due to systemic oppression (unconscious bias, marginalization, or discrimination) of individual and collective differences. As our world becomes increasingly globalized and we live cheek to jowl with people quite different from ourselves, especially people with different views and values, our need for compassion will only increase if our planet is to survive.
Self-Compassion for Parents: Nurture Your Child by Caring for Yourself
by Mara Elwood
CMSC Correspondent
Parenting can be one of the planet’s toughest jobs. In her forthcoming book, Susan M. Pollak, MTS, EdD, shares practical strategies and practices for the parenting journey, all based on a foundation of self-compassion and acceptance that we are enough, just as we are. Interview with CMSC Correspondent, Mara Elwood
Spanish Teacher Guide Now Available in Braille / Disponible la Primera Guia del Profesor en Braille
English: For the very first time the MSC Teacher’s Guide is available in Braille-Spanish for those teachers who are blind. Thanks to the initiative of Mariela de la Fuente, first certified teacher…
Your MSC Teaching Toolkit: What to Use and Why
This year, we have been busy making exciting improvements to the essential and recommended MSC teaching materials. We would like to update you on these important changes to make sure…
El Center for MSC presenta la primera mejora importante en el itinerario de formación de profesores de MSC
Programas piloto TTP (Prácticas de Formación de Profesores) que se ofrecerán a los profesores existentes en otoño de 2019 Desde el primer Teacher Training del MSC a principios de 2014,…
Monthly Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy Peer Consultation Session Launched
MSC Teachers who are also therapists now have two new monthly opportunities to come together monthly to share how we use and apply MSC and self-compassion in one-to-one therapy, and…
