Mindful self-Compassion (MSC)
MSC combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance our capacity for emotional wellbeing
Lisa is excited to announce her role as the Director of Education for the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, further supporting the dissemination of self-compassion around the world. The Center is a US-based nonprofit that serves students and certifies MSC teachers internationally.
MSC 8-week course
To take an MSC course with Lisa please register through the BC Association of Living Mindfully.
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)
The MSC workshop was developed by Christopher K. Germer, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and leader in the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy and Kristin Neff, PhD, pioneering researcher in the field of self-compassion.
A Transformative 8-Week Course
Rapidly expanding research shows mindfulness and self-compassion are strongly associated with reduced anxiety, depression and stress, improved emotional wellbeing, maintenance of healthy lifestyle habits, and satisfying personal relationships. Through educational lectures, discussion, guided meditations and written reflections you can learn how to apply mindful self-compassion to your life and experience the profound benefits.
Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who feel uncomfortable being kind to themselves. It’s a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we unwittingly inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-isolation, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others, and be more authentically ourselves.
After participating in this workshop, you’ll be able to:
· Practice self-compassion in daily life
· Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
· Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
· Transform challenging relationships
· Enhance your resilience
· Manage compassion fatigue
· Practice the art of savouring and self-appreciation
Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook is encouraged for reading support.
What to expect
Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. MSC is a workshop rather than a retreat. The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life.
MSC includes 8 weekly sessions of 2.5 hours each, in addition to a 4-hour retreat.
MSC is therapeutic, but it’s not therapy
The emphasis of the program is on building emotional resources rather than addressing old wounds. MSC is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. Beneficial change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way.
Compassion is a positive, energizing emotion. However, it is said that “love reveals everything unlike itself.” While learning self-compassion, some difficult emotions may arise. MSC teachers are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for this process to unfold, and to making the journey enjoyable for everyone. This is a trauma-informed program.
Prerequisites
No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend MSC. To ensure safety, participants are asked to fill out the intake form when they register for the program.
Please view this presentation by Kristin Neff to learn more about this groundbreaking workshop.
Other resources:
Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
Additional recommended books, before, during or after the course, are:
· Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, by Kristin Neff
· The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, by Christopher Germer
· Self-Compassion for Educators, by Lisa Baylis