Guest Introduction From CMSC Board Member, Mari Behr Andrade.

Dear Friends,

I just wanted to give you a heartfelt thank you for being a part of this amazing community. Every time you stop, breathe, and give yourself compassion, you're helping us strengthen the community. Whether you've taken one of our courses, helped spread the seed of self-compassion to others, or contributed to the Center in some shape or form, you're helping us show how self-compassion can really be this incredible living force that helps change the world. For me, it's really been transformational in my life. I've learned to be kinder and gentler to myself, and that's brought more joy into my life, and it's also made me a better leader at work.

That's why I'm extremely grateful to the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion and why I'm such an enthusiastic contributor. And I'm sure you have your own stories of transformation about how self-compassion has helped you in your life as well. So may we continue growing together and on this journey together. And I really hope that in your heart, you feel how you're such an essential part of this community and how much your contribution means to us.

Thank you.

Mari Behr Andrade
CMSC Board Member

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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Self-Compassion in Your Pocket: 5 Simple, Science-Backed Ways to Be Kind to Yourself Every Day

At the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC), we believe kindness grows stronger when we include ourselves in it. Self-compassion is a learnable skill that helps us meet life’s challenges with care rather than criticism. Whether you’re new to mindfulness or have practiced for years, these five tools can help you pause, soften, and reconnect to yourself and others.

Meditation: Compassionate Walking Practice with Chris Germer

One of the 5 Simple, Science-Backed Ways to Be Kind to Yourself Every Day is checking in on what you may need in a moment;—this could be a meditative walk.

In this Compassionate Walking practice, Chris invites us to bring mindful awareness to each step, cultivating a gentle sense of presence and self-compassion as we move through our day. Whether you’re new to walking meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this guided experience offers a profound way to reconnect with your body, soothe your mind, and nurture kindness toward yourself with each stride.

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Christine Grace will be teaching our next LOMSC starting October 4th, register here.​
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Coming Home to Your Body: Meeting Shame with Self-Compassion Workshop with Chris Germer

Friday, November 14, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm PT

This workshop meets for one three-hour session on November 14th from 11am-2:00pm, you can check your local time here.​

Join CMSC Co-Founder Chris Germer and Chris Germer, PhD for a powerful online workshop exploring how shame manifests not just in our minds, but in our bodies. Through gentle awareness and embodied self-compassion practices, you’ll learn how to meet shame with presence, understanding, and care—freeing yourself from its hold and reconnecting with your innate sense of worthiness.

2025 Year-End Online Silent Retreat — Renewal: Resting in Compassion, Joy, and Community

Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 8–11 am & 4–7 pm PT
Free, Donation-Supported Fundraiser for CMSC

As we close this year together, you’re invited to pause and replenish your spirit at our Global Year-End Online Silent Retreat “Renewal: Resting in Compassion, Joy, and Community.”
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This retreat is CMSC’s heartfelt thank-you to our worldwide community for your generosity and care over the past year. Join us in this shared space to rest within compassion itself—to slow down, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and feel restored by the shared kindness of community. Through guided meditations, heartfelt talks, and quiet reflection, we’ll honor the year behind us and open to the possibilities ahead.

This annual event also supports CMSC’s year-end fundraiser, helping keep our free Circles of Practice and scholarships accessible worldwide. Your participation—whether simply by attending or by giving—helps extend compassion to others who need it most.

Join beloved MSC teachers Chris Germer, Laila Narsi, David Teitelman, Natalie Bell, Jorge Armesto, and Anna Friis, hosted by Lisa Baylis (AM) and Ben Weinstein (PM), for a day of renewal and community.

5-Day Live Online Silent Retreat: Being with the Wisdom of Self-Compassionate Embodiment with Sydney Spears and Tracy Ochester

November 14 - 19th, 2025

Being with the Wisdom of Self-Compassionate Embodiment

Join us for a silent retreat with special attention toward deepening mind-body awareness and expanding the practice of embodied self-compassion.

Embodiment is the mindful practice of noticing and feeling the various sensorimotor (sensing and movement) experiences that are always present within us. While many of us lean toward thinking and verbal language as our primary ways of experiencing the world, our bodies are continuously communicating through sensations, emotions, postures, gestures, and countless forms of non-verbal expression. These somatic (bodily) expressions often hold valuable information, offering messages of wisdom about our experiences of joy, difficulty, needs, sense of self, relationships, and choices.

In this retreat, we will explore embodied practices through meditation, movement, reflective exercises, and other contemplative practices. Together, we will cultivate a self-compassionate mind-body balance and open a gateway to new awareness, deeper truth, and expansion toward our innermost self-compassionate way of being.

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

SCIP Information Session - Free November 29, 2025 8:00 am - 9:30 am PT Learn More

This session is suitable for everyone, including mental health and healthcare professionals at all levels, and SCIP graduates. Prerequisites Needed: None, all are welcome to attend!

2025 MSC Teacher Training Options

In-Person Training - Hong Kong
​November 30 - December 6, 2025 — Hong Kong, China
​(This training will be fully hosted in English)

2026 MSC Teacher Training Options

In-Person Training - Canada
​February 7–13, 2026 — Nanaimo, BC, Canada

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

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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.

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