Become a Supportive Companion to Yourself

Self-compassion provides the emotional strength and resilience necessary to offer ourselves the same kindness and understanding we would offer a good friend. With self-compassion, we can forgive ourselves when needed, face and befriend our shortcomings, care for others while caring for ourselves, and live more authentically.

In this Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training, join certified MSC teachers Susan Fairchild and Martin Thomson-Jones and gain tools for becoming a warm and supportive companion to yourself. Through short talks, experiential exercises, meditation, and group discussion, learn how to:

• Explore how you typically respond when difficulties arise.
• Motivate yourself with encouragement rather than self-criticism.
• Respond to feelings of failure or inadequacy with self-kindness.
• Transform difficult relationships through compassion for self and others.
• Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation.
• Integrate core mindfulness and self-compassion exercises into daily life.

Research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional well-being, lower levels of anxiety and depression, an increase in healthy habits, and more satisfying personal relationships.

NOTE: This program is designed for all members of the general public and for professionals who wish to integrate self-compassion into their work. It is an intensive version of the eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training developed by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff. See additional information about the MSC program. The program also fulfills a prerequisite for becoming an MSC teacher. Meditation experience is not necessary. If you have any questions about whether this program is right for you once you've read the document linked above, please email the teachers directly at susan@engineeringawareness.com or martinthomsonjones@hey.com.

Recommended materials and reading: Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook (recommended during the program but not necessary to read in advance); Kristin Neff, Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself; and Christopher Germer, The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion