Self-Compassion for Shame Course
Self-Compassion for Shame (SC – Shame)
This program has been developed by Dr. Chris Germer along with a team of senior MSC teachers.
Shame is everywhere. Shame can occur when we feel judged by others or when we judge ourselves. It can happen when we do something wrong and when we’re entirely innocent of wrongdoing. Whenever we feel bad about ourselves, for whatever reason, there is a touch of shame.
Shame is our most difficult human emotion. Shame makes us go small, go silent or go away. Ironically, shame itself is not the problem. The problem is that there’s often no one home to work with shame.
Shame is also one of our deepest emotions. It invisibly shapes our personalities as we grow into adulthood and it prevents us from being fully ourselves with others.
- What would happen if you were able to care for yourself when you felt shame, rather than being immobilized by fear, attacking yourself, or zoning out?
- How would your life be different if you could meet shame with compassion and stay connected, think in a balanced way, and make wise, healthy choices?
Chris Germer and the teacher/development team are committed to creating a positive learning environment in which you, and each part of you, feels welcome just as you are.
About the Course
Self-compassion is the antidote to shame. In this course, we’ll take a unique, non-pathological look at shame through the eyes of self-compassion.
After learning about the theory and research on shame, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the personal and cultural causes of shame in your own life within the context of self-compassion.
Special topics include:
- Self-criticism
- Body shame
- Self-forgiveness
- Social justice
Course Structure:
- An 8-week course — class time plus practice in small groups.
- Classes occur weekly for 2 hours each, with talks, exercises, meditation and group discussion
- 4 practice groups facilitated by teachers
- Class size: 18 – 30 participants.
More Information
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Course Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will begin to:
- Summarize the theory and research on shame and self-compassion
- Describe how self-compassion is an antidote to shame – the 3 paradoxes of shame
- Identify personal childhood and cultural disconnections that lead to shame
- Apply new self-compassion practices to relieve the burden of shame
- Alleviate body shame with compassion
- Direct self-compassion to hidden parts of ourselves
- Disengage from habitual self-criticism by cultivating self-compassion
- Take positive action to live with less shame in daily life
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Practice Groups
Self-compassion is best learned in community, especially when addressing shame.
Practice groups are a key component of the 8-week course to help participants deepen what they learn and integrate it into their daily life.
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Who Should Attend
This course is open to anyone who has completed the full MSC Course, for example the 8-week program, LOMSC and the 5-Day intensive.
SC-Shame is a resource-building program, just like the MSC program itself, rather than psychotherapy. However, since we will be touching shame with self-compassion, challenging emotions may arise. The teaching team is committed to co-creating, along with the course participants, a safe and rewarding learning experience.
This course is also open to professionals, such as psychotherapists, mindfulness teachers and educators, who wish to bring fresh insights and skills for working with shame into their work activities.
If you are an MSC Teacher and interested in teaching this course in the future, there will be a prerequisite that you attend the SC-Shame course as a participant.
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Self-Compassion Courses & Workshops
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October 13th, Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout Workshop with Kristin Neff and Chris Germer
Regular price From $195.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
October 16, Wednesdays 9am - 11am PT, LOMSC with Joel Grow
Regular price From $595.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
October 21, MSC for Therapists with Shari and Anna, Mondays 4pm - 6:30pm PT
Regular price From $695.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
November 5, Tuesdays 9-11 am PT, LOMSC with Aimee Eckhardt
Regular price From $595.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per