MINDFUL SELF-COMPASSION (MSC) is an empirically-supported, 8-week, training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. 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. The combined skills of mindfulness and self-compassion, enhance our capacity for emotional wellbeing. Mindfulness is the first step—turning with loving awareness toward difficult experience (thoughts, emotions, and sensations). Self-compassion comes next—bringing loving awareness to ourselves. Together, mindfulness and self-compassion comprise a state of warm, connected, presence during difficult moments in our lives.
This program is designed for members of the general public, as well as for professionals who wish to integrate self-compassion into their work. No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend MSC. Program activities include short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, home practices and a half-day practice. 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 a workshop and not a group psychotherapy as the emphasis of MSC is on building emotional resources. Positive change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way. The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life.
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