Mindful Self Compassion

What do you do when a friend is in trouble?

You offer words of encouragement, a hug, a warm blanket, a cup of tea, an invitation to go out and talk - something kind that you believe will comfort your friend in need. Most of us naturally feel compassion when a close friend is struggling and know exactly what to do.

What would it be like to receive the same caring attention whenever you needed it most?

All that is required is a shift in the direction of your attention - recognizing that as a human being, you, too, are a worthy recipient of kindness and hence compassion. Kindness in the quality of response to our experience, a warm, soothing and nourishing expression of care for what is happening. And this is something we can learn to cultivate in everyday life in order to be able to recall it when things are difficult because that is what compassion is: meeting pain and challenges with kindness.

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion, providing a powerful tool for emotional resilience. Mindfulness is the first step in emotional healing - being able to turn toward and acknowledge our difficult experience  with a spirit of openness and curiosity. Self-compassion involves responding to these challenges with kindness, sympathy and understanding so that we soothe and comfort ourselves when we are hurting. Together, they create a state of warm, connected presence during difficult moments.

Self compassion is an inner strength that enables us to be more fully human -

to acknowledge our shortcomings, learn from them, and make necessary changes with an attitude of kindness and self-respect.

Research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional well-being, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthy lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships. Being both mindful and compassionate leads to greater ease and well-being in our daily lives.

Self-compassion can be learned by anyone: 

it is the practice of repeatedly evoking good will toward ourselves especially when we are suffering - cultivating the desire that all living beings live happily and free from suffering, including ourselves!

Mindful Self-Compassion was developed by Christopher K. Germer, PhD, leader in the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy (www.MindfulSelfCompassion.org) and Kristin Neff, PhD, pioneering researcher in the field of self-compassion (www.Self-Compassion.org). 

In MSC you will learn to:

• practice mindfulness and self-compassion in daily life,

• understand the theory and research behind self-compassion,

• use self-compassion to live in accord with your core values,

• handle difficult emotions with greater ease,

• motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism,

• work with challenging relationships,

• manage caregiving fatigue, and

• practice the art of savouring and self-appreciation.

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Cores Skills Workshop in Dublin

This two day workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to the 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training.

At the heart of MSC is learning to treat yourself as you would treat a dear friend, especially when you are struggling. To do so the training offers different formal and informal practices as well as exercises.  MSC combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance the capacity for personal well-being. Self-compassion is a skill which can be learned by anyone!

The workshop is aimed at those interested in finding out more about MSC but maybe are not able to commit to an 8 week course or 5 day intensive, and also professionals (e.g. health care professionals, HR managers, community workers), who want to bring compassion into their own work practice by experiencing it themselves first.

The workshop has 12 content/teaching hours.

Workshop Dates:       23 - 24 March 2019 (2019-1)   

                                       OR

                                       16-17 November 2019 (2019-2)

Workshop Cost:         Early bird - 20% off:     €220 if you book and pay before

                                                                                                       15 February 2019 (2019-01) OR

                                                                                                        8 October 2019 (2019-2)

                                       Full price:                        €275 for bookings received after Early bird deadline

Special Offer: Bring a friend and each gets an extra €10 off a booking

Training costs include participant handbook, guided practice recordings,  tea/coffee break in the morning and afternoon. 

Location:                     Dublin - venue to follow shortly

Important Note:

Taking part in this workshop does NOT qualify you for teacher training.

The completion of a full course is required to apply for MSC teacher training.

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Intensive - NON residential - in Dublin

This non-residential 5 day workshop offers the 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training in an intensive, full day format.

At the heart of MSC is learning to treat yourself as you would treat a dear friend, especially when you are struggling. To do so the training offers different formal and informal practices as well as exercises.  MSC combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance the capacity for personal well-being. Self-compassion is a skill which can be learned by anyone!

The intention of the non-residential format is to offer an opportunity to integrate self-compassion practices into activities outside of the classroom, whatever they may be: spending time with family, taking public transport, shopping, exploring new surroundings, - and to bring local and international participants together.

The workshop has 28 content/teaching hours.

Training Dates:    25 - 29 May 2019

Training Cost:      Special offer - 20% off:     €520 if booked and paid before 31 December 2018

                               Early bird - 10% off:           €585 if booked and paid by 31 March 2019                                       Full price:                             €650 for bookings received after 31 March 2019

Special Offer: Bring a friend and each gets an extra €20 off a booking

Training costs include participant handbook, guided practice recordings, workbook, tea/coffee break in the morning and afternoon, light lunch. 

Location:                  Avila Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin

Important Note:

This is a NON residential MSC Intensive and the workshop costs exclude accommodation. Participants are responsible for sourcing their own accommodation.

A limited number of en-suite single rooms are available at the venue - please check directly with the Avila Centre.

MONTHLY Introduction to Mindful Self Compassion - ONLINE

Date:            11 September 2018

  October 2018

  November 2018

  December 2018

Time:            7-7.30pm  GMT

Cost:              FREE

We will be using Zoom which works on your computer, smart phone etc.

To join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android click on https://zoom.us/j/845761709

And just in case you need, the Meeting ID is: 845 761 709 and more information on the software is available on https://zoom.us