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...
about 1 month ago â˘Â 5 min read
Dear Friends, It is deeply human to feel. To be moved, at times overwhelmed, by strong emotions. Fear, sadness, shame, even joy or awe can rise unexpectedly, sometimes pulling us off center or leaving us unsteady. Self-compassion teaches us that even in the midst of intensity, we have the capacity to stay grounded and present. We can learn to meet whatâs here with tenderness. To turn toward ourselves, moment by moment, with care. Especially in times of uncertainty, when so much feels out of...
2 months ago â˘Â 5 min read
Dear Friends, September invites transition. The light shifts, school resumes, and the rhythm of life clicks back into a different gear after the looseness of summer. Whether we welcome this change or feel resistant to it, transition always stirs something. Sometimes excitement. Sometimes grief. Often both. In a world that asks us to lead at full throttle, to perform, to produce, and to be exceptional at all times, itâs easy to forget that we are already leading. We lead in our families, in...
3 months ago â˘Â 7 min read
Dear CMSC Community, As we step into August, Iâm holding a deep appreciation for the heart and resilience of our global selfâcompassion community. July offered two vivid reminders of what happens when we meet ourselves, and each other, with kindness. International SelfâCompassion Day invited personal pauses and shared reflections around the world; soon after, our MidâYear Renewal Retreat gathered thousands more to breathe, reconnect, and to share in compassionate community. These moments are...
4 months ago â˘Â 8 min read
Dear Reader, Weâre so glad youâre registered for CMSCâs 2025 Mid-Year Renewal Retreat on Saturday, July 26th. Whether you signed up to attend live or just for the replay, youâre welcome to join us liveâfor the full retreat, a single session, or any portion that fits your schedule. Theme: Standing Strong, Staying Kind, Finding Joy in Uncertain TimesDate: Saturday, July 26, 2025Location: Zoom Webinarđ Link to Join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81346740290?pwd=qdMUyWcxbuSbGgwCmIXvMeqdqH2H93.1Be...
5 months ago â˘Â 2 min read
Dear CMSC Community, There are times in life when big questions can ariseâquietly, urgently, or unexpectedly. Recently, someone asked me, âWhat keeps you going?â Iâve been sitting with that questionâespecially through all the uncertainty and cruelty going on in the world right nowâand I offer it to you, too, in whatever way it resonates. For me, in day-to-day moments, what keeps me going is a smile, a hug, a kind word, or natureâs awe-inspiring beauty. At work, as CMSCâs Communications...
5 months ago â˘Â 7 min read
Dear CMSC Community, The work of easing suffering and nurturing kindness to ourselves matters now more than ever. These shared commitments give us the strength to navigate uncertainty and move forward with purpose. Whether youâve taken a course, used CMSC resources, made a donation, or simply brought selfâcompassion into your day, youâve made this work possible. Thank you. Your participation drives our mission forward and shows the realâworld impact of compassion in action. Hereâs our Mission...
6 months ago â˘Â 8 min read
Dear CMSC Community, Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC)? Our small but dedicated team works each day to support a global community of teachers, course participants, and those in the world looking to practice self-compassionâall with the shared mission of alleviating human suffering and improving the collective well-being of the planet through the practice of self-compassion. Hereâs how we show up each day: Working to Nurture...
7 months ago â˘Â 6 min read
Dear CMSC Community, This month, I celebrate the heart of our communityâall of youâwith a special focus on our incredible volunteers, who show how self-compassion and compassion for others go hand in hand. Thank you to everyone who shows up with genuine care, whether youâre leading Circles of Practice, serving on our board, or offering support in other meaningful ways. Your dedication creates a community that actively reduces suffering and spreads joy through everyday acts of kindness. To our...
8 months ago â˘Â 7 min read