We seek a solid place to stand so that we feel grounded and able to extend our hearts to others. But what if there isn’t such a solid place? How do we keep from burning out in an ever-changing, ever-suffering, unpredictable world?
In this new course co-created by MSC Teacher Trainer Tina Gibson and Board Certified Chaplain Jonathan Prescott, we’ll explore how Jon’s “8 Foundations of Balanced Caregiving” offer us ways to sustain ourselves as caregivers within the paradoxes of our chaotic, beautiful world.
10-Week Live, Online, Interactive Experience
Class size limited to 24
4-6 p.m. Pacific / 6-8 p.m. Central / 7-9 p.m. Eastern
8:30-10:30 a.m. ACDT
Course fee: $500 USD
The course will be offered through the lens of wise compassion and focuses on the following learning goals:
This highly experiential course includes discussions, exercises, breakout groups, specific practice encouragements, and periodic triad meetings with the teachers.
Caregivers in any capacity: parents, counselors, teachers, clinicians, children of aging parents, chaplains. This class also supports those who do advocacy work for the environment, animals, and more. This course pre-supposes an understanding and personal practice of self-compassion, though we will continue to explore and cultivate our own inner compassion throughout the course.
During this foundational first session, participants explore their deepest wishes for attending the course. We also discuss the overarching themes for the course, class agreements, and more.
Living in the balance between self and other, I embrace healthy boundaries as a foundation for sustainable, compassionate care. I am open to seeing and transforming habits that undermine clear boundaries and lead me to feel swept away and burned out.
Living in the balance between competence and compassion, I aspire to share myself along with my skills. I allow the infinite resource of compassion to arise in me and make my technical expertise meaningful and relevant. Even as I continually improve, I trust that right now, I am enough.
Living in the balance between giving and receiving, I see that receiving is itself a generous act. I accept the healing energy of beauty, peace, and support that are available in all circumstances so that I can respond with gratitude and generosity. Those I care for are my precious teachers. Life is my school.
Living in the balance between firm and soft, I will honor my limits firmly so that I can respond softly. As I learn to see and accept myself as I am, I know that I can remain flexible in dangerous winds only when I’m securely rooted in my own truth.
Living in the balance between results and futility, I accept that not all results are measurable. I trust mindful awareness to guide my actions, knowing that when my actions are good, positive results ripple out in many directions, even when those results are beyond my view.
Living in the balance between the ideal and the real, I embrace life as it is. I aspire to live in the fullness of reality without hiding behind ideology. I trust that even the most challenging moments invite me to respond with love.
Living in the balance between well and unwell, I turn compassionately towards my own changing nature. I embrace decline in order to learn compassion. Aware that everything changes, I will bear witness to the fires of loss within and around me, knowing that I am well even when I am not.
Living in the balance between life and death, I see that all things come and go in every moment. I will transform my fear of death so that I can offer a calm presence during natural cycles of birth and death, grief and joy.
During this important integration session, we’ll reflect on what we’ve learned and which other questions we may wish to explore going forward into our lives as resilient caregivers, allies, and perhaps friends, on an ongoing journey.
Live, online experiential course limited to 24 participants
