By Mary Marcdante, CMSC Communications Director, MSC Teacher
Loneliness can be quiet. It can live in the moments when we feel unseen, unheard, or like no one quite gets us. It can show up unannounced in a crowded room, on a Zoom screen, or when we’re holding something hard or scary or shaming.
And then—something shifts. We’re met with a kind glance, a vulnerably shared similar experience, or a hand to the heart that reminds us we don’t have to fix or prove or explain. We can give ourselves permission to just be.
If you’ve ever felt the deep recognition of being seen, heard, and held with compassion—or the quiet relief of sitting in silence with others who may or may not fully understand and are still willing to be with you so you can be with yourself—then you’ve touched the heart of what CMSC offers.
When someone feels that sense of belonging for the first time through CMSC—whether meditating in a Circles of Practice session, taking an MSC workshop or course, or receiving an email announcing a scholarship—it’s never by accident. It’s because someone else, often many others including you, helped create the conditions for that connection. A kind comment or heart emoji in a Zoom chat, an acknowledgment from a teacher or fellow participant, your need patiently answered by staff, and donations from generous members of our community—each of these moments helps make self-compassion real, shared, and sustaining.
The Truth Behind “Free”
At CMSC, we’re often told how much our free offerings mean—especially when someone finds them in a time of need. A message we received recently:
“Thank you for the free Circles of Practice sessions. I couldn’t afford anything right now, but being in the Circle helped me feel like I could keep going.”
We hear over and over that these Zoom sessions offer not just practices, but presence. Not just teachings, but belonging.
What’s less visible is how they’re sustained. While there’s no cost to attend Circles of Practice or CMSC Retreats, these offerings are quietly sustained by the generosity of others—those who support CMSC financially by taking a course, volunteering their time, or donating to help this work continue. The deeper truth behind “free” is that it’s a shared rhythm—like the inhale and exhale of breath—making it possible for everyone in our community to give and receive the gifts of CMSC. This is what keeps CMSC flourishing, and we are so grateful.
Giving and Receiving: Both Are Self-Compassion
Research published in Science shows that acts of giving light up the same reward systems in the brain as connection and joy. And receiving—especially when we feel worthy of it (which self-compassion helps strengthen)—can increase resilience and emotional well-being.
In other words, giving and receiving are not opposites. They are both forms of self-compassion. And both can be courageous.
Sometimes, what sustains us is the willingness to let ourselves be supported. Other times, it’s the openness to give. Either way, the circle widens—to hold us all—with strength and support for what we can’t carry alone.
This rhythm of giving and receiving is what makes free programs like Circles of Practice and retreats like Renewal possible. Thanks to those who give, everyone can receive. This July, we’re inviting you to be part of that circle—by joining us, supporting others, or both.
You're Invited: Two Ways to Reconnect This July
🕊️ 1. International Self-Compassion Day (Saturday, July 19)
This global day of reflection invites you to pause, reconnect, and return to what matters. You can visit our ISCD page for ideas on how to celebrate in your own way—from lighting a candle, to joining a free Circles of Practice session, or creating your own local community celebration.
🌍 2. Mid-Year Renewal Retreat (Saturday, July 26)
This free, live, online retreat—Renewal: Standing Strong, Staying Kind, Finding Joy in Uncertain Times—offers six hours of rest, reflection, and reconnection. Join CMSC co-founders Kristin Neff and Chris Germer, along with six senior MSC teachers. Attend one session or all six.
Register for the free retreat here. If you’re unable to attend, sign up anyway—a replay will be available for free for seven days. Donate to CMSC by July 26th and receive thank you gifts including the retreat replay access for an additional year as well as pay it forward to benefit others in need.
5 Ways to Deepen Your Sense of Belonging Through CMSC
Whether you’re new to self-compassion or deeply immersed, here are five meaningful ways to nurture connection—within yourself and in the wider world:
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Pause on International Self-Compassion Day (July 19). Reflect, rest, or do something kind for yourself or someone else. Access free resources here.
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Invite a friend to join you for a free Circles of Practice session. Giving others a path to support themselves can deepen your own sense of connection. Sign up for Circles here.
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Take (or repeat) an MSC workshop or course. When you invest in your own learning, you help sustain CMSC’s free offerings for all. Explore courses here.
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Join the free Mid-Year Renewal Retreat (July 26). Reconnect with yourself, our global community, and what matters most. Sign up here.
- Donate to extend self-compassion access. Your gift can give someone a full year of retreat replay access they wouldn’t otherwise have. Donate here.
You keep us going. And together, we keep each other going. That’s the power of CMSC, the shared gift of MSC presence, and the deeper belonging we create together.
References
Dunn, A., Aknin, L. & Norton, M. (2008). Spending money on others promotes happiness. Science, 319(5870), 1687–1688.
Brown, K. W., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2003). Positive emotions broaden the scope of attention and thought-action repertoires. Cognition & Emotion, 17(2), 313–332.
