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with Chris Germer and Kristin Neff
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This event is a benefit for the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, which means that the teachers are donating all teaching fees to fund the operations of the organization. All proceeds support the mission of CMSC to make the world a more compassionate place.
This workshop is an introduction to Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), an empirically-supported training program based on the clinical perspective of Chris Germer and the pioneering research of Kristin Neff. MSC combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance our capacity for emotional wellbeing. Mindfulness is the first step—turning with loving awareness toward difficult experience (emotions, sensations, thoughts). Self-compassion comes next—bringing loving awareness to ourselves. Together, mindfulness and self-compassion comprise a state of warm, connected presence during difficult moments in our lives.
Burgeoning research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, coping with life challenges, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying, compassionate relationships. Self-compassion includes the capacity to comfort, soothe and validate ourselves, but also to protect and provide for ourselves, and to motivate ourselves to achieve our goals.
The program is offered in conjunction with the Midwest Alliance for Mindfulness
Fortunately, self-compassion can be learned by anyone. After participating in this workshop, you will be able to:
- Practice self-compassion in daily life
- Understand the science of self-compassion
- Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
- Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
- Manage caregiver fatigue
- Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation
- Teach simple self-compassion exercises to clients
Program activities include talks, meditation, experiential exercises, and group discussion. Participants will directly experience self-compassion and learn practices to evoke self-compassion in daily life. No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend the program.