Dear CMSC Community,

There’s a quiet question at the heart of self-compassion—one that doesn’t demand perfection or progress, only presence: What do I need right now?

This month, our global community will pause to recognize International Self-Compassion Day, observed this year on Saturday, July 18, 2026. A day created to honor the simple yet profound practice of meeting ourselves with kindness.

In a world that often asks us to push harder, do more, and be better, this invitation can feel radical. And yet, it’s deeply human. International Self-Compassion Day reminds us that beneath our individual stories—the challenges, the striving, the moments of doubt—we share something essential: a common humanity that longs for care, understanding, and connection. ​

Self-compassion isn’t about turning away from difficulty. It’s about turning toward it with a steady, courageous heart. It’s about learning to sit with ourselves in the midst of imperfection and remembering that we are not alone. And when we do that, when we offer ourselves even a small moment of kindness, it ripples outward, softening the space around us and shaping how we meet others.

This July, we invite you to take part in that ripple. However you choose to engage—through rest, reflection, or reaching out—you’re participating in something both deeply personal and profoundly collective.

And as part of this year’s celebration, we’re also gathering again the following Saturday, July 25, 2026, for a free live online retreat: Renewal: Belonging to Ourselves and Each Other. From 8:00–11:00 am and 4:00–7:00 pm Pacific, this global offering invites us to deepen our practice, reconnect in community, and remember what it means to truly belong—to ourselves and to one another.

Perhaps that’s the heart of it: self-compassion isn’t something we practice alone. It’s something we grow together, one gentle moment, one breath, one act of kindness at a time.

With warmth and gratitude,
​Michael Reved​
Interim Executive Director

Vielen Dank • Muchas Gracias • Tack så mycket • Veel dank • Merci beaucoup
非常感谢你 • ありがとうございました • Thank you very much
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Free Resources to Celebrate International Self-Compassion Day

As we honor International Self-Compassion Day, it can be helpful to remember that self-compassion isn’t something we have to figure out on our own. It’s a practice—one that can be gently supported, nurtured, and deepened through small, consistent moments of care.

Whether you have just a few minutes or more spacious time to devote, there are many ways to turn toward yourself with kindness. From guided meditations and daily reminders, to shared practice and community connection, each of these offerings is an invitation to pause, reflect, and respond to yourself with warmth.

We’ve gathered a selection of free resources on our ISCD information page to support you—wherever you are on your path—so you can explore what resonates and carry the spirit of self-compassion into your everyday life.

Meditation: Soothing Touch with Anna Friis

Take a gentle pause with this three-minute Soothing Touch practice led by Certified Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Teacher and New Zealand therapist Anna Friis, PhD. Through simple, supportive gestures and a touching story about a young medical student who discovered an unexpected source of comfort, Anna invites us to explore how even the smallest acts of kindness toward ourselves can help ease moments of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. This brief practice offers a compassionate reminder that support is always within reach—sometimes quite literally at our fingertips.

Anna is one of our featured speakers at the Renewal Retreat: Belonging to Ourselves & Each Other on July 25. We hope you'll join us for this special day of practice and inspiration. You can register for free below.

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“I Didn’t Know I Could Love Myself”
​Reflections from Chris Germer on Self-Compassion

There’s a moment many people encounter on the path of self-compassion that feels both surprising and deeply familiar—the realization: “I didn’t know I could love myself.”

In this heartfelt reflection, CMSC Co-Founder Chris Germer traces that moment across years of teaching Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) around the world. What begins as a personal insight reveals itself as something universal: a quiet longing shared across cultures—to be held in kindness, not just by others, but by ourselves.

With warmth and humility, Chris explores how this simple yet radical shift—learning to respond to our own suffering with care—has sparked a global movement. From early classrooms to an international community of thousands of teachers, MSC continues to resonate because it speaks directly to the human experience: our struggles, our resilience, and our capacity for love.

This piece is both a reflection on how far the work has come and an invitation to consider what becomes possible when we give ourselves permission to treat our own lives with compassion.

International Self-Compassion Day
​Saturday, July 18, 2026

International Self-Compassion Day (ISCD) is a global invitation to pause, practice, and remember our shared humanity.

Created by the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion in 2024, ISCD celebrates the transformative power of self-compassion to ease suffering, support well-being, and strengthen our connection with ourselves and one another.

However you choose to acknowledge the day—through rest, reflection, meditation, or an act of kindness—we invite you to take a few moments to offer yourself and others the care we all need and deserve.

Free Live Online Midyear Renewal Retreat
​Belonging to Ourselves and Each Other​
​Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 8-11 am & 4-7 pm PT

We’ll continue the celebration of International Self-Compassion Day with our annual Midyear Renewal Retreat: Belonging to Ourselves and Each Other on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Featuring MSC co-founders Kristin Neff and Chris Germer, along with MSC teachers from around the world, including Susan Gitau (Kenya), Dennis Johnson (Germany), Adrian Wan (Hong Kong), and Anna Friis (New Zealand), with hosts Lisa Baylis (Canada) and Ben Weinstein (Thailand)

Together, we’ll explore how self-compassion can help us deepen our connection with ourselves, one another, and our shared humanity.

Through meditation, reflection, and companionable silence, this retreat offers a spacious day of renewal in a welcoming community for anyone longing to feel more grounded, connected, and at home in themselves.

Register early even if you can’t attend live. Everyone who registers will receive free replay access for 7 days after the retreat.

Exchanging Self-Criticism for Self-Compassion
with Chris Germer

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 9:00 am - 12:15 pm PT

We all have an inner critic—that familiar voice that questions, judges, and pushes us to be better. But what if that voice isn’t helping as much as we think? What if there’s another way to relate to ourselves—one that supports growth and well-being?

Join Chris Germer for a live online workshop, Exchanging Self-Criticism for Self-Compassion, on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 9:00 am–12:15 pm PT. This 3-hour session offers a practical, research-informed path for transforming harsh self-talk into a kinder, more supportive inner dialogue.

Through teaching, reflection, and guided practices, you’ll explore how self-compassion reduces stress, enhances resilience, and improves relationships. You’ll also learn the PEACE process—a step-by-step way to work with the inner critic and respond to yourself with greater understanding and care.

Whether you’re new to self-compassion or looking to deepen your practice, this workshop offers a meaningful opportunity to experience a powerful shift: moving from self-judgment to self-kindness—one moment at a time.

As part of our Midyear Renewal Retreat Fundraising campaign, a donation of $250 to CMSC includes access to Chris Germer's live online workshop, Exchanging Self-Criticism for Self-Compassion, one year of access to the full six-hour Renewal Retreat replay, and two access scholarships for others in need. Thank you for supporting your own practice and CMSC while helping make these life-changing teachings available to our global community.
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Touching the Still Point: A Taste of Silent Retreat with Noriko Morita Harth

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm PT

In the midst of busy lives and constant input, it can be rare to truly pause—to step out of the noise and reconnect with a quieter, steadier place within. And yet, even a brief moment of stillness can begin to shift how we relate to ourselves and our experience.

Join Noriko Morita Harth for a gentle introduction to silent retreat practice in Touching the Still Point — A Taste of Silent Retreat on Tuesday, August 26, 2026 (live online). In this workshop, you’ll explore how periods of guided silence, mindfulness, and self-compassion can help you settle the mind, soften the heart, and reconnect with your inner resources.

Drawing from the Mindful Self-Compassion approach, this session offers a supportive and accessible way to experience the restorative power of silence—whether you’re new to retreat practice or looking to deepen your ongoing work. Together, we’ll create space to step out of doing and into being, discovering how stillness can become a foundation for clarity, resilience, and care.

For those who feel drawn to continue, this workshop also offers a meaningful introduction to Noriko’s upcoming 5-Day Live Online Silent Retreat, Surrendering to the Flow of Life: Cultivating Wisdom, Compassion, and Belonging, co-led with Carolina Bautista-Velez from November 11–16, 2026.

Live Online Mindful Self-Compassion (LOMSC)

Learn the full practices and theories of self-compassion in our 10-week, live online programs! These courses are taught by certified MSC teachers around the world and help you establish a consistent self-compassion practice founded in research and science. You'll learn how self-compassion can lessen anxiety, depression, and stress and improve your relationships, health, and resilience. Join a course today. Courses available monthly. Explore all upcoming LOMSC dates.

July 17 - September 25​ ​Fridays 9-11am PT ​ Register

July 22 - September 23​ ​Wednesdays 4-6pm PT ​ Register

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​Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities (SCHC) 6 Week Course with Adrienne Gaudet​
​Wednesdays, September 23 - October 28, 2026, 9:00-10:00 am PT

Saturday, October 10, 2026 Masterclass and CMSC Fundraiser on "The Courage to Care: Compassion for Ourselves and Our World." with founder of Global Compassion Coalition and New York Times best-selling author Rick Hanson, PhD, Jon Walker, MD, and Lisa Baylis, MA. Welcome and introduction by CMSC Co-Founders Chris Germer and Kristin Neff.

Wednesday - Sunday, November 11th - November 16th, 2026​
​5-Day Silent Retreat: Surrendering to the Flow of Life: Cultivating Wisdom, Compassion, and Belonging: A Silent Retreat Exploring Impermanence, Transitions, and the Heart of Compassion
with Noriko Harth and Carolina Bautista-Velez

Saturday, December 12, 2026
Year-End Renewal Retreat: Coming Home to Ourselves: Returning to Self-Compassion
​8-11 am and 4-7pm PT
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The Center for Mindful Self-Compassion is an international nonprofit organization that serves over 250,000 people in our global community. We are dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving the collective well-being of the planet through scientifically researched self-compassion training and practice. Our vision is a world where each person matters and everyone belongs. Your donations allow us to share self-compassion training around the world and keep Circles of Practice free to those in need. Thank you in advance for any support you are inspired to donate.