Hello Friends of Self-Compassion,

One part of the mindful self-compassion program involves identifying your compassionate friend. Mine happens to be Sasquatch, the mythical figure of the Pacific Northwest in North America. For me, this friend represents nature itself, along with the mystery and wonder of how everything is interconnected. A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to take a break from work and embark on a backcountry trip to Strathcona Provincial Park on Nuu-chah-nulth land, where I spent three days connecting with my compassionate friend. I left the trail feeling renewed and gentler with myself.

Engaging in mindful self-compassion creates a space for self-care and reflection, allowing us to be kinder to ourselves, especially during times of stress and overwhelm. It fosters a gentler approach to life's challenges, helping us find solace and build resilience amid daily pressures. This practice becomes particularly vital when we feel overwhelmed by responsibilities and the demands on our time, especially when recognizing signs of burnout.

I'm excited to share that in October, Chris Germer and Kristin Neff will be leading a "Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout" workshop based on their new book, "Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout: Tools to Help You Heal and Recharge When You’re Wrung Out by Stress," which is being published this month. We are all looking forward to learning more about how mindful self-compassion can serve as an antidote to burnout!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Elijah Zimmerman (He/They)
CMSC Executive Director
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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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Future Directions in Compassion Science

A Joint Project of the Global Charter for Compassion and the Global Compassion Coalitions’ - Science and Research Sectors. This report highlights the latest advancements in compassion research and offers valuable insights into how we can foster a more compassionate world. Together, let's explore the future of compassion science and its potential to transform our lives and communities.

Meditation: Self-Compassion Freedom Break with Sydney Spears

You're invited to participate in this practice the practice is called Self-Compassion Freedom Break with Certified MSC Teacher Sydney Spears, this practice is open to anyone, but it can be especially helpful for those people who have experienced marginalization biases. Biases based on social or cultural identities, identities that are racialized, ethnic identities, cultural identities that have been marginalized around age generation ability around sexual orientation gender as well as many many other social differences and social cultural identities.

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Fierce Self-Compassion Workshop

Thursday, September 26th 2024

4:00pm - 7:00pm PT / 7:00pm - 10:00pm ET - Click here to view a Time Conversion Chart. ​

Cost: $125

Created by Dr. Kristin Neff, this workshop draws on practices developed in her newest book Fierce Self-Compassion. It includes a satisfying mix of experiential learning and science-based insights.
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Learn the essentials of fierce self-compassion practice in this live-online workshop with MSC co-founder Kristin Neff, Ph.D.

Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout Workshop with Kristin Neff and Chris Germer

October 13th 2024, 9am - 12pm PT

Cost: $195

This workshop meets online Sunday October 13th, 9:00am - 12:00pm PT, you can check your local time here.​

Many of us can identify feeling burned out from too much news, too many Zoom calls, or too many demands. However, when we’re burned out from work, it’s hard to find meaning or joy, or to feel fully functional. We may feel drained, empty, irritable, or useless. We’re also likely to blame ourselves for feeling this way. Studies show that 25-75% of workers around the world experience burnout symptoms. This wide range of burnout is reported in health care professionals, teachers, caregivers, business owners and employees. Chances are you or someone you know has experienced burnout.

Burnout happens when our work-life balance gets out of whack, usually through no fault of our own. We’re just doing the best we can. Common causes of burnout include excessive workload, lack of support, unfairness at the workplace, and moral distress. People who care deeply about their work are also more likely to get burned out, as are those who base their self-worth on their work, have a tendency to sacrifice themselves, or criticize themselves when things go wrong.

Fortunately, self-compassion is a helpful antidote to burnout, and there are many research studies that support this claim. There is also an empirically-supported training for healthcare workers derived from the Mindful Self-compassion program—Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities. Recently, Kristin Neff and Chris Germer wrote a new book, to be published in September 2024, titled Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout: Tools to Help You Heal and Recharge When You’re Wrung Out by Stress.

This 3-hour experiential workshop consists of talks, exercises, and discussion. Participants will learn quick and powerful self-compassion tools to alleviate the symptoms of burnout. Professionals will be able to apply key principles and practices to prevent and reduce burnout in themselves and their organizations.

5-day In Person Silent Retreat with Steve Hickman and Megan Prager

December 1-6, 2024

Cost: $895.00
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​Join us at the scenic Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds for our 2024 5-day In Person Silent Retreat. Asilomar sits nestled along the shoreline of the brilliant blue Pacific, serving as a tranquil oceanfront retreat cradled by towering pine forests, pristine sand dunes and the dramatic, rocky coastline of the Monterey Peninsula in California.

CMSC’s retreats are based on the research and teachings of Drs. Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, the co-developers of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Program, as well as ancient wisdom practices from several traditions. The retreats offer an opportunity to renew and deepen our practice within an environment enhanced by silence. Retreats are led by experienced teachers who have been invited by CMSC to teach their retreats. CMSC’s retreats also serve as an opportunity for MSC teachers to continue to build their affect tolerance and equanimity so that they may hold their steady seat while teaching MSC.

MSC Teachers receive a $100 discount, please email professionaltraining@centerformsc.org to request code prior to purchase.

Please Note: Registration cost does not include the cost of accommodations, a link to book separately will be sent after registration. Cost of rooms per night: Double Room - $207.95, Single Room - $297.50
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Live Online Mindful Self-Compassion (LOMSC)

Learn the full practices and theories of self-compassion in our 10-week, live online programs! LOMSC is taught by certified MSC teachers around the world and helps 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

Circles of Practice - Free Online Daily Meditations

Our MSC Circles of Practice program is a donation-based offering to our community and the public. CMSC offers 100 monthly free online daily practice sessions, all led by volunteer MSC teachers and supported by donations.These self-compassion meditation sessions are available on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Click on the links below to learn more and register for a session.

Join a session today:​

• MSC Graduates (7x weekly) | Register​
• General Public (2x daily, open to all) | Register​
• LGBTQI2S+ Affinity Circle (weekly) | Register​
• BIPOC Affinity Group (weekly) | Register​
• Hispanohablantes / Spanish speakers (weekly) | Register​
• Men’s Practice (monthly) | Register​
• SCHC Alumni Group (monthly | Register​

Are you interested in teaching the MSC curriculum?

There are several prerequisites to meet before being accepted into the teacher training course and you are encouraged to carefully consider whether you meet these prerequisites before you apply, more information here. Once accepted into the teacher training program, you will complete several steps to become a Trained MSC Teacher, eligible to teach the standard MSC course. After teaching a minimum of 3 MSC courses, you can apply to start the process of becoming a fully Certified MSC Teacher eligible to teach approved MSC adaptations, in addition to the standard MSC course.

Apply for 2025 Teacher Trainings:

​Live Online Teacher Training 2025 Application​

LOTT-26: February 5 – April 23, 2025 8:00 – 11:00am PT

LOTT-27: May 1 – July 17, 2025 4:00 – 7:00pm PT

CMSC has openings for new members of our Board of Directors, learning more here.​

What do you want to see
offered in 2025?

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.