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 somehow don't belong. What I keep seeing in this community tells a completely different story. When we learn alongside each other, something shifts. We start being real. We stop pretending growth is clean and linear. And we remember that being a work-in-progress isn't a problem. It's just what being human looks like.

What makes all of this possible, I think, is self-compassion. When we stop being so hard on ourselves, we stay open instead of shutting down. We can say "I'm still figuring this out" without feeling embarrassed about it. And that gentleness tends to be contagious. When you give yourself grace, it quietly gives others permission to do the same. This is why we show up, to make the weight of being human a little lighter, for ourselves and for each other.

I'm really glad we're doing this together. It's braver and more meaningful because of all of you.

Elijah Zimmerman, CMSC 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
To translate newsletter, please copy and paste newsletter text here.

The Kindness Effect: How Self-Compassion Shapes the Way We Show Up

In a world that feels increasingly rushed, divided, and unsettled, kindness can be dismissed as naïve or a waste of time. In this month’s blog, CMSC Communications Director and MSC Teacher Mary Marcdante explores The Kindness Effect and how self-compassion strengthens resilience, deepens connection, and shapes the way we show up for ourselves and one another. Discover practical ways to cultivate self-compassion through our 30 Days of Self-Compassion Phrases, Circles of Practice, and a global kindness campaign during the month of March hosted by our friends at the Global Compassion Coalition: One Million Acts of Kindness.

Meditation: Compassion for Self and Others Meditation with Chris Germer

In this gentle meditation, Chris Germer guides us into the heart of compassion — the kind we offer to others and the kind we often forget to offer ourselves. Through his steady presence and mindful guidance, you’re invited to soften, breathe, and reconnect with the part of you that knows how to care. This is a space to slow down, open up, and let compassion become a source of strength and healing.

​

Self-Compassion for Shame 5-Day Intensive
Sedona Mago with Chris Germer, David Fredrickson, & Carolina Bautista-Velez

March 22nd - 27th, 2026, Sedona, Arizona In-Person

Join us in beautiful Sedona for a transformative, in-person intensive version of the 8-week Self-Compassion for Shame program, developed by Dr. Chris Germer and the SC-Shame team. This advanced MSC course offers a compassionate, non-pathological approach to understanding shame—and how self-compassion can be a powerful antidote.

Through teaching, inquiry, and experiential practices, participants explore the personal and cultural roots of shame and learn practical ways to meet shame with care, clarity, and connection in daily life.

Who Should Attend:
​This advanced course is open to those who have completed a full MSC program (8-week MSC, LOMSC, or 5-Day Intensive) and maintain a daily MSC practice.

Questions about eligibility? Contact hello@centerformsc.org

5-Day Live Online Silent Retreat
​​Presence, Grief, and Forgiveness​
with Noriko Morita Harth and Carolina Bautista‑Velez

April 15 - April 20, 2026

Join us for a deeply held online silent retreat guided by Noriko Morita Harth and Carolina Bautista‑Velez, an invitation to slow down, turn inward, and rest in what is here with warmth, spaciousness, and great care.

This retreat offers a rare opportunity to engage in sustained silence from the comfort of your own home, while being gently accompanied by two experienced and MSC Teacher Trainers. Over six days, we will explore the interwoven themes of presence, grief, and forgiveness through the lens of Mindful Self-Compassion, creating a compassionate container for what is tender, unfinished, or ready to soften.

Each day will include guided mindfulness and self-compassion practices, loving-kindness and compassion meditations, mindful movement, walking meditation, and short teachings. Silence will be the primary support throughout the retreat, allowing for depth, continuity, and inner listening, with one carefully facilitated small-group meeting to support integration and shared humanity. As an online retreat, you are invited to care for your own rhythms; resting in your own bed, nourishing yourself well, and shaping a supportive home practice environment.

MSC Teachers may receive a $100 discount, please email professionaltraining@centerformsc.org to request code prior to purchase.
Missed coupon codes will not be refunded.

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.

Register

Register

​Live Online Teacher Training (LOTT-28)
​Tuesdays, April 7 - June 23, 2026 | 8:00–11:00 am PT

​Live Online Teacher Training (LOTT-29)​
​Wednesdays, July 1 - September 16, 2026 | 4:00–7:00 pm PT

​Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP)
​Live Online Level 1 Training Applications Open​
​Mondays, April 20 - July 6, 2026 | 9:00 - 11:00 am PT
​

To make sure we make it into your inbox, we recommend the following quick steps (may be slightly different depending on email service):

On Gmail: Move us to your 'Primary' inbox.

• On a phone: Hit those 3 dots at the top right, click 'Move', and then 'Primary.'
• On desktop: Go back to your inbox and drag this email to the 'Primary' tab near the top left of your screen.

Using Apple Mail? Tap the three dots at the top of the message list, then choose 'Categorize Sender,' and select 'Primary.' You can also add us as VIP by clicking on our name in the header and selecting 'Add to VIP.'

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.