Mindful Self-Compassion

Mindful Self-Compassion (In Person or Online)

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an evidence-based 8 week course designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. It was developed by Christopher Germer, PhD, a leader in the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy (www.mindfulselfcompassion.org) and Kristin Neff, PhD, a pioneering researcher in the field of self-compassion (www.self-compassion.org).

MSC combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion in order to enhance our capacity for emotional well-being. The first step is to become aware that we are struggling (mindfulness). The second step is to bring loving awareness to ourselves during this moment (self-compassion). Together, mindfulness and self-compassion create a state of loving connected presence during difficult moments in our lives.

In MSC you’ll learn to:

• Practice mindfulness and self-compassion in daily life
• Understand the proven health benefits of self-compassion
• Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
• Handle uncomfortable emotions with greater ease
• Transform challenging relationships
• Manage caregiver fatigue
• Practice the art of savouring and self-appreciation

Mindful Self-Compassion is a journey—an adventure in self-discovery and self-kindness. Self-compassion has the paradoxical effect of both soothing our emotional distress as well as opening us to the pain that we may have been unconsciously holding inside, often for many years. Therefore, challenging emotions are likely to surface during the program. MSC teachers are committed to helping participants feel safe and comfortable during the course. However, participants agree at the outset that they will take primary responsibility for their emotional well-being. Mindful Self-compassion is therapeutic, but it’s not therapy. It is not a replacement for medical or mental health care. 

MSC is designed for members of the general public. Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in MSC. Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. The goal is for participants to develop the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion in order to increase life satisfaction, decrease anxiety, depression and stress, and increase resilience.

This program fulfills one of the prerequisites for becoming an MSC Teacher. For more information on MSC and becoming an MSC Teacher, please visit www.centerformsc.org.

Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion (Online/Virtual)

In this 6 week Mindful Self-Compassion course, you will learn the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion in order to enhance your capacity for emotional well-being. The short course was developed by the Centre for Mindful Self-Compassion by drawing on material from the 8 week evidence-based Mindful Self-Compassion program. The short course was designed for individuals who have limited time and are wanting to improve their ability to cope with challenging situations, decrease anxiety and depression, increase life satisfaction and resilience. 

This course incorporates experiential exercises, small and large group discussion and meditations to explore the following topics:

• Practicing mindfulness and self-compassion in daily life
• Motivating ourselves with kindness rather than criticism
• Strategies for working with difficult emotions
• Bringing compassion to ourselves and others
• Reflecting on our core values and setting intentions to meet our personal needs

Additional Information:

• This course will be offered on the Zoom platform
• There will be a combination of large and small group interaction just like you’d have in an in-person experience
• This course can be taken as a refresher or as preparation for the 8 week MSC program