We are deeply grateful to our community members for their understanding, patience, and support through this challenging and life changing chapter of our journey together. We are eager to move into the next phase of our adventure. In keeping with the principals of the dharma that underlies all of our activities, primarily ahimsa (do no harm), we are requiring that all attendees be fully vaccinated in order to attend any in-person event. If you certify that you meet this requirement please select ‘yes’ on the registration page. This requirement is for the initial stage of reopening and we are looking forward to practicing together once again in-person! Please register early, max capacity is 10 students. We will be utilizing both the indoor (masks required) and shaded outdoor (masks optional) spaces.
To offer or join a ride share, click Sign-Up to the left. Thank you for your generosity in supporting fellow practitioners.
Learn the skills we all need to meet life’s challenges with more wisdom and kindness.
Our new and abridged course, The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion (SC-MSC), will teach you how to hold yourself with tenderness and compassion when you need it most — when you fail, feel inadequate and are suffering. Learn MSC’s key informal practices, as well as brief practices in mindfulness right from home.
Too often we meet pain and challenge with harshness and criticism. SC-MSC will teach you how to be present and courageous in the face of physical and emotional pain rather than fighting it or turning away from it – perfect for this season of uncertainty.
SC-MSC was developed by MSC’s pioneering researchers and clinicians, Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer for those who were short on time and could not engage in the longer 2 ½ hour weekly class.
Research:
Research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional well-being. It boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression, and can even help you stick to your diet and exercise routine. All that’s required is a shift in the direction of your attention–recognizing that as a human being, you, too, are a worthy recipient of compassion.
From the New York Times:
The research suggests that giving ourselves a break and accepting our imperfections may be the first step toward better health. People who score high on tests of self-compassion have less depression and anxiety, and tend to be happier and more optimistic. Preliminary data suggest that self-compassion can even influence how much we eat and may help some people lose weight.
This idea does seem at odds with the advice dispensed by many doctors and self-help books, which suggest that willpower and self-discipline are the keys to better health. But Kristin Neff, a pioneer in the field, says self-compassion is not to be confused with self-indulgence or lower standards.
“I found in my research that the biggest reason people aren’t more self-compassionate is that they are afraid they’ll become self-indulgent,” said Dr. Neff, an associate professor of human development at the University of Texas at Austin. “They believe self-criticism is what keeps them in line. Most people have gotten it wrong because our culture says being hard on yourself is the way to be.”
Imagine your reaction to a child struggling in school or eating too much junk food. Many parents would offer support including tutoring or making an effort to find healthful foods the child will enjoy. But when adults find themselves in a similar situation – struggling at work, or overeating and gaining weight – many fall into a cycle of self-criticism and negativity. That leaves them feeling even less motivated to change.
“Self-compassion is really conducive to motivation,” Dr. Neff said. “The reason you don’t let your children eat five big tubs of ice cream is because you care about them. With self-compassion, if you care about yourself, you do what’s healthy for you rather than what’s harmful to you.”
Schedule 7:00-8:30pm (PT):
September 9
September 16
September 30
October 7
October 14
October 21
(skipping September 23rd)
Testimonials from James’s students:
Even though I have been meditating for over eight years, self-compassion has always been a struggle for me, which is why I was so excited to take MSC. With the guidance of Christiane and James, I truly learned how to befriend myself- flaws and all! My heart is opening in ways I didn’t think possible, learning how to embrace being uncomfortable and turn towards suffering with an honest and vulnerable heart. Both Christiane and James are excellent facilitators. I am genuinely grateful to have spent these last eight weeks growing and becoming more of my true self.
Both James and Christiane are wonderful teachers, extremely compassionate, patient and empathetic. I don’t have improvement suggestions because they both have an extensive knowledge on MSC and are gifted teachers.
I wholeheartedly loved both Christiane and James as teachers of this class. They both embody mindfulness and compassion. I appreciated Jame’s vulnerability and presence. Our class overlapped with the beginning of the Black Lives Matter protests, and they did an excellent job allowing space for that in class and in our day of practice.
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Continuing Education Hours:
Psychologists: Continuing Education Credit for this program is provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 6.0 CE credit.
California licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs: Continuing Education Credit for this program is provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. 6.0 CE credit may be applied to your license renewal through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. For those licensed outside California, please check with your local licensing board to determine if CE credit is accepted.
Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board ofRegistered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16351, for 7.0 CE credit.
Learning objectives:
- Describe the main components of self-compassion and mindfulness and how they may be integrated into their role as healthcare professionals.
- Explain the difference between empathy and compassion and utilize strategies to avoid emotional exhaustion.
- Demonstrate strategies they can use on the job to regulate difficult emotions while caring for others in pain.
- Apply at least one skill from each session to help them regulate emotions and care for themselves emotionally while caring for others who are experiencing difficulty.
