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Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer are pioneers in the scientific development of self-compassion. They have brought their experience together in the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training. This intensive offers you the full experience of the MSC training
Self-compassion: what is it
With compassion for myself, I suddenly have so much more confidence and believe in my own capabilities and strength. Participant
Self-compassion is the emotional attitude of mindfulness when we come in contact with suffering. Whereas mindful awareness is usually directed toward moment-to-moment experience, self-compassion focuses on the experiencer. Mindfulness says, "Open to your suffering with spacious awareness and it will change." Self-compassion adds, "Be kind to yourself in the midst of suffering and it will change." Mindfulness asks, "What do I know?” and self-compassion asks, "What do I need?"
Self-compassion: how to learn it
When I notice that I’m too hard on myself, I can sometimes soften now. That makes life easier for me. Participant
Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who find it embarrassing to be kind to oneself. It’s a courageous mental attitude that stands up to harm, including the discomfort that we unwittingly inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-isolation, and self-rumination when things go wrong. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, forgive ourselves, and respond to ourselves and others with care and respect, and be fully human.
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)
The MSC program is a journey: an adventure in self-discovery and self-kindness. Compassion has the paradoxical effect of both soothing and comforting as well as opening us to emotional distress that we may have been unconsciously holding inside, often for many years. Therefore, some difficult emotions are likely to surface during the program as we grow in our capacity to embrace and heal them. The teachers are committed to providing an environment of safety, support, privacy, individual responsibility, and a common commitment to developing compassion for oneself and others.
Research
Rapidly expanding research has clearly demonstrated that self-compassion enhances emotional wellbeing, reduces anxiety and depression, helps to maintain healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and is related to better personal relationships.
Program
By practicing self-compassion I’m much more friendly towards myself. It helps me to take better care of my body and mind. Participant
Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises and group discussions. The goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for exploring how we typically respond when difficult emotions arise and to provide tools for becoming a warm and supportive companion to ourselves. The emphasis of the program is on enhancing emotional resources and personal capacities. For more information on self-compassion, please see www.centerformsc.org
In this course you will:
- practice mindfulness and self-compassion skills for daily
- Learn ways to meet difficult emotions with greater ease and moment to moment acceptance
- respond to feelings of failure or inadequacy with self-kindness
- Learn resources to motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
- Explore ways to transform challenging relationships, old and new
- Experience and learn tools to manage empathy fatigue
- practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation
This program fulfils one of the prerequisite for becoming a MSC teacher.
Recommended reading
- Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind by Kristin Neff
- The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Christopher Germer
For whom
This program is designed for members of the general public, as well as for professionals who wish to integrate self-compassion into their work. Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in this 4-day MSC program for professionals. All are welcome!
Becoming a MSC teacher
Participating in a MSC program satisfies a prerequisite for becoming a MSC program teacher. International teacher training for MSC is offered yearly in The Netherlands. For more information on the upcoming international Teacher Training MSC in The Netherlands look at our website
