In mindfulness we meet our suffering with spacious awareness, while self-compassion teaches us how to be kind to ourselves when we suffer.
About Mindful Self-Compassion
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an 8 week training programme designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. It is based on the ground-breaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding.
The three key components of self-compassion are Mindfulness, a sense of Common Humanity, and Self-Kindness. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment so we can be more present with our experience, Common Humanity enables us to understand our essential inter-connectedness and that we are not alone, and Self-Kindness helps us to respond to ourselves in helpful ways, much the same as we would towards a dear friend or loved one.
Everyone can learn self-compassion - even those who feel uncomfortable when they are kind to themselves, or who may not have received enough support/affection in childhood. Self-compassion can take the form of courage in difficult times and experiences. Self-compassion builds emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to welcome our shortcomings as one part of our whole selves. Motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others, and be more authentically ourselves are just some of the intentions of this training.
Rapidly expanding research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, reduced anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships.
- Practice self-compassion in daily life
- Explore new ways of relating to yourself
- Understand the empirically-supported benefits of self-compassion
- Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
- Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
- Transform old and new challenging relationships.
- Manage caregiver fatigue
- Practice the art of savouring and self-appreciation
MSC COURSE - what to expect
The course programme includes guided meditation practices, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. The aim is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life.
MSC is primarily a compassion training programme rather than mindfulness training like Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Though mindfulness is the foundation of self-compassion. MSC is also not psychotherapy insofar as the emphasis of MSC is on building emotional resources rather than addressing old wounds. Positive change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way.
Some difficult emotions may arise when practicing self-compassion, and as your teachers we are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for this process to unfold, and to making the journey interesting and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you have completed a mindfulness course in the past or have never meditated before, this training has something to offer for everyone. If you have any questions about whether this training is right for you, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
To register your interest in our next training course - and to be added to our participant list click the button below:
If you’d like to know more here’s a TED Talk with MSC co-founder Kristen Neff and an interview with MSC co-founder Chris Germer explaining more and including research findings about how powerful this training can be.