A Conversation with Sydney Spears, Ph.D., CMSC Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
CMSC Blog
DEIB and the Importance of Self-Compassion
A Conversation with Sydney Spears, Ph.D., CMSC Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Quick Six: Practices or reminders to pay attention to what it is you really need
Lisa Baylis, Certified MSC Teacher and CMSC Director of Education talks about reminders of what you could offer yourself to help you feel better in a moment of struggle.
Cultivating a Good Life in 2024
Compassion for ourselves is the opposite of selfish. It enables us to flourish, to shine and to thrive, even as we get old, together or alone. Learn six ways to cultivate a good life.
Empower Your Self-Compassion Practice for Inspired Personal and Professional Growth this New Year
It’s that time of year again, for new beginnings, a fresh start, a healthier, more intentional outlook. Oh yes, that again! So often in January we feel the need, and the pressure, to improve our lives by getting rid of bad habits and adopting new routines to feel better about ourselves. But so many of us have mixed feelings about this, or even a cynical view, because we know that new year’s resolutions usually fail after the first few months of the year. Also, if we are to be compassionate with ourselves, we would like to approach this transition without the trap of thinking we need to be someone brand new just to be acceptable. So how do we commit to personal growth while still holding values of self-acceptance and kindness?
The Wisdom of a Gratitude Practice During Challenging Times
Gratitude is noticing the good things that life has given us, both within us and around us. For some of us, we may say we’re grateful but we brush over the words and don’t stop to feel the grateful feelings, or like I did, slip into guilt and miss the benefits of gratitude. Those benefits, validated by research, include less stress, lower rates of depression, greater calm and resilience, better sleep, and healthier relationships.
She’s Going to Be Okay: Four Steps to Help Children Grow Self-Compassion
The process of helping children grow self-compassion involves four steps, which are built upon the foundation of a caregiver’s self-compassion.
Part 2: The Story of Hanna: How Self-Compassion Can Foster Healthy Relationships
In this post (Part 2) we will look at the results of using mindfulness—the first component of self-compassion, and how the other two components of self-compassion—common humanity and kindness—also played a role in how self-compassion led to a healthier relationship for Hanna.
The Story of Hanna: How Self-Compassion Can Foster Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships are central to our physical and emotional health. Whether a relationship is familial, romantic, plutonic, collegial, or that of a patient and therapist, self-compassion benefits everyone involved.
Gifts of Service They Won’t Forget
A contemplation on the gift of service, giving ourselves self-compassion amidst the holidays and sharing that gift with others.
The Effects of Self-Compassion on Gratitude & Prosocial Behavior
A study of students in five different chinese middle schools over three consecutive years showed the more self-compassionate the adolescents were, the more prosocial and grateful they were.
Falling Asleep in the Arms of Gratitude
MSC teacher Kathryn Lovewell reflects on her journey of gratitude and self-compassion and how she invites her compassionate voice into daily life.
Self-Compassion and the Three Paradoxes of Shame
Dr. Chris Germer discusses how each component of Self-Compassion lays beneath the three paradoxes of shame.
Mindful Self-Compassion Practices for Creatives
MSC Teacher Lorelei Loveridge discusses how mindful self-compassion can alleviate the pressure creatives face to produce by allowing them permission to feel, express, and connect.
Self-Compassion Research on LGBTQIA+ Wellbeing
Self-Compassion research shows that not only does it support well-being in the LGBTQIA+ community, it buffers against the negative psychological impact of stress on sexual minorities.
10 Self-Compassion Practices for the Crisis in Ukraine
Kristin Neff and Chris Germer, CMSC co-founders discuss how core components of MSC can assist with dealing with the devastating news of the war in Ukraine.
Commemorating Black History Month: Black History is Everyone’s History
Sydney Spears, Ph.D, LCSW, MSC Teacher, reflects on the shared humanity present in the black experience and drawls parallels to her deepening understanding of her ancestral history.
The Benefits of a Silent Retreat
MSC Teacher Laila Narsi breaks down the benefits of experiencing a silent retreat, to include reducing stress and anxiety, improving relationships, accelerating personal development, and boosting resilience.
Igniting Self-Compassion in Africa
CMSC International Affairs Manager and MSC Teacher Mirjam Luthe discusses how she will implement a grant from Compassion Corp to bring mindfulness to Kenyans through an 8 week MSC course, hoping to build a local MSC community prior to leaving.
Celebrating the New CMSC Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee
As the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, (DEIB), I am very happy to announce that the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC) has recently established a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion…
What CMSC Needs. . .Is You
“… to alleviate human suffering and improve the collective well-being of the planet through the practice of self-compassion.” As a reader of this blog, I imagine that our mission statement…
What I Learned about Self-Compassion—and Life—From My New Vacuum Cleaner
Who would have thought I could learn about self-compassion – and life – from my new vacuum cleaner? SERIOUSLY? Truthfully, I was initially resistant to getting one of those Roomba…
There Was a Little Blackbird
This article was originally published in Anna Friis’ blog on September 5, 2021. Republished with kind permission from the author. This morning I walked past a small blackbird, contorted in pain…
When All Else Fails…
When your tried-and-true sources of connection, strength, and support disintegrate, how to you find your way back to inner stability? MSC Teacher, David Teitelman, reminds us of 4 simple powerful strategies we can use to steady ourselves — right here, right now.
STOP and SLOW: Self-Care and Compassion Practice for Educators
There has never been a time in history when educators have felt such overwhelming levels of burnout and exhaustion. For educators to fulfill their vital roles, it’s abundantly clear that they need to develop resiliency both inside and outside the classroom. This excerpt from Self-Compassion for Educators: Mindful Practices to Awaken Your Well-Being and Grow Resilience, offers a sample practice to help educators calm and recenter themselves amid the stress of the classroom.
MSC Japan Website is Now Live
Hello, Everyone! We are delighted to introduce MSC Japan and our new website! (https://www.mscjapan.org/) MSC in Japan is still in its beginning stages. Japan has had a long history…
Answering the Fundamental Question of Mindful Self-Compassion
It’s a simple question, really. But one that often brings on a state of perplexed astonishment when someone asks us.
CMSC Welcomes Natalie Bell as Associate Executive Director for Programs at CMSC
Natalie Bell, CMSC’s Associate Executive Director (AED) for Programs, believes that “MSC directly answers the need for caring and kindness that we each have.” We welcome her!
Self-compassion for young people, now more than ever
As people in Generation Z step into the sphere of adulting, many face enormous burdens of work/school pressure, self-doubt, loneliness, and despair. Embracing Your Life was designed to help people 18-30 to learn to befriend themselves and find stability, strength, and kindness in a very uncertain world. Please share widely about this rare opportunity for young adults to gather in a non-judgmental environment and be welcomed exactly as they are.
CMSC Welcomes Aly Waibel as Associate Executive Director for Professional Training and Operations
We at CMSC are thrilled to have Aly on board! Her amazing work at the Compassion Institute prepared her well for her role here, and having a fresh perspective from outside the CMSC organization will be invaluable.
