Dear CMSC Community, As we arrive at the midpoint of the year, many of us find ourselves taking stockāof where weāve been, what weāre carrying, and what we still hope for in the months ahead. Itās a natural time to pause. And yet, so often, our instinct is to push forward rather than turn inward. At the Center for Mindful SelfāCompassion, weāre gently inviting another way: to meet yourself where you are. Not where you think you should be, not where you hoped you would beābut right here, with...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 4 min read
Dear CMSC Community, As we move into May, Iāve been reflecting on the foundational role Mindful SelfāCompassion plays not only in our work at CMSC, but in my own life. Again and again, I return to this simple yet transformative truth: when we learn to meet ourselves with mindfulness, kindness, and a sense of shared humanity, something shifts at the core of how we live. Mindful SelfāCompassion has a quiet power. It strengthens us in moments of difficulty, steadies us through change, and allows...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 6 min read
Dear Reader,, As we move into a new season, many of us are feeling the pull to slow down, reconnect, and create space for what weāve been carrying. If thatās true for you, we have two meaningful opportunities happening this week ā and thereās still time to join us. Online Silent Retreat ā Begins Tomorrow April 15ā20 (Online) A 5āday, gently held silent retreat designed to help you settle, listen inwardly, and reconnect with your own presence. This retreat offers: Spacious periods of silence...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Leadership Update Dear CMSC Community, Change is a natural part of life and of organizations. In that spirit, we want to share a leadership transition at CMSC. After three years of dedicated service, Elijah Zimmerman has stepped down as CMSC Executive Director to begin a new chapter. Elijah held CMSC with dedication and heart, supporting the growth of our programs and our global network. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and the care he brought to CMSC during his tenure and wish him...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 6 min read
Dear Friends, Lately I've been reflecting on what it actually looks like to learn together, in real time, online, with real people. The messy, honest kind of learning together. The kind where you bring your confusion, your doubt, and sometimes that uncomfortable feeling that you shouldn't even be in the room. That feeling, shame, has a sneaky way of telling us we should be figuring all of this out on our own. It makes us think everyone else has it handled, and that our struggles mean we...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 4 min read
Dear Reader, The impact of trauma continues to be widely recognized. At the same time, many leading experts are deepening our understanding of the crucial role compassion and self-compassion play in the healing of trauma. Thatās why weāre glad to share a special opportunity to receive FREE access to this highly popular training on Healing Trauma With Compassion-Based Approaches, available during a special three-day watch event airing February 25-27, 2026. This free online trainingāopen to...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Dear Friends, February is often associated with connection and care, yet many of us find ourselves navigating moments of uncertainty, strain, and heartbreak in our personal lives and in the world around us. In times like these, it can be easy to feel isolated in our struggles, as if we are facing them alone. One of the most powerful yet often overlooked elements of self-compassion is common humanity, the recognition that suffering, imperfection, and vulnerability are part of the shared human...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 7 min read
Dear Friends, As we step into 2026, we want to begin the year by pausing together in gratitude. The past year has been a beautiful reminder that self-compassion is both a personal practice and a collective one, strengthened by community, shared intention, and mutual care. We are deeply thankful for your generosity and support during our annual fundraising campaign. Because of you, CMSC can continue advancing our mission to make Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) accessible worldwide. Your...
6 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 6 min read
Dear Friends, December is here, and I've been sitting with a quiet gratitude for this community, for the way you show up for one another with care, presence, and courage. This year for Giving Tuesday, we're offering something different: Giving Back Tuesday, a day dedicated entirely to you. We want to meet you where you are with free practices, guided meditations, tools for navigating stress during the holiday season, and space to connect with others who are walking this path alongside you....
7 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 5 min read