Registration now closed for this course
In this Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course you will learn to:
- Practice mindfulness and self-compassion in daily life
- Understand the science of self-compassion
- Use self-compassion to live in accord with your values
- Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
- Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
- Work with challenging relationships
- Manage caregiver fatigue
- Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation
- Teach simple self-compassion skills to others
This program is designed for members of the general public. Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in Mindful Self-Compassion. All are welcome!
Developed by Kristin Neff PhD and Christopher Germer Phd at the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion https://centerformsc.org –the course includes discussion of topics, experiential exercises, meditation, small group interaction, and home practices. MSC is an opportunity to explore how we typically respond when difficulties arise in our lives and to learn tools for becoming a warm and supportive companion to ourselves.
The MSC program is a journey—an adventure in self-discovery and self-kindness. Self-compassion has the paradoxical effect of both soothing our emotional distress as well as opening us to the pain 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. MSC teachers are committed to providing an environment of safety, support, privacy, individual responsibility, and a common commitment to developing compassion for oneself and others.
MSC is therapeutic, but it’s not therapy. The emphasis of the program is on enhancing emotional resources to meet emotional challenges, old and new. MSC is also not primarily a type of mindfulness training; MSC is mindfulness-based compassion training in which the quality of warmth is emphasized more than awareness itself.
MSC participants are asked to practice mindfulness and self-compassion at home for up to ½ hour per day during the course. In a randomized, controlled study, MSC significantly increased self-compassion, compassion for others, mindfulness, and life satisfaction, as well as decreased depression, anxiety and stress. Improvements were linked to how much a person practiced in their daily lives.
About the Instructors:
David Fredrickson, MFT, is a retired licensed psychotherapist. His clinical career was
devoted to at-risk and traumatized children and families whose stories held both the
heartbreaking pain of their experiences and their indomitable spirit. Additionally, he has
volunteered within the HIV/AIDS community, developing an understanding and
appreciation for the power of bearing witness—especially in the context of illness, shame
and isolation.
However, his own health challenges revealed that he didn’t always hold himself with the
same kindness and generosity he attempted to provide others. Thankfully, David’s
journey led him to Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), the powerful practice of providing
oneself with a loving connected presence during moments of suffering. He is a trained
MSC teacher and is excited to share these life-affirming skills.
His blog, “Daily Bites and Blessings.” explores the bittersweet moments of life, where
pain can be met with mindfulness, compassion and community. He is the author of “Life
on All Fours,” a novel that chronicles the experience of crisis, healing and love in the
time of HIV/AIDS, told with the wide-eyed wonder of a puppy.
David is an active member of San Francisco’s, Glide Memorial Church, a spiritual
community dedicated to meeting the needs of society’s most marginalized. He sings in
the renowned gospel choir, the Glide Ensemble.
Additional information available on his website: http://www.davidafredrickson.com
Jessica M Steurer MS DVM, veterinarian and Buddhist chaplaincy student, is a teacher in training of
Mindful Self-Compassion. Jessica has devoted her life to serving others, whether they have two or four
legs. Care taking has been a significant role in her life. With that, she has been able to sense first-hand
the importance of self-care, when spending time focusing on the needs of others. After acknowledging
her own burn out, she searched for ways to be able to take care of herself, while not neglecting her
obligations.
Jessica found a Mindful Self-Compassion course and drove 3 hours each way, not knowing if
it would worth it. Thankfully, she found the course to be life changing. The benefit these practices have
on individual well-being, has helped her handle many of life’s difficult moments. After completing the
course, she felt driven to share this information and techniques with others. Jessica completed the
teacher training course with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, through the University of California,
San Diego.
Please join Jessica and David in learning new and relearning old self-compassion techniques.
| Date(s): | 1pm-4pm Saturdays Sept. 21-Nov. 16 |
| Times: | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
| Instructor/Leader: | David Fredrickson, Jessica M Steurer |
| Type of event: | |
| Number of sessions: | 9 Consecutive Saturdays |
| Level: | Open to All |
| Participation: | Regular Attendance |
| Location: | Main Gompa |
| iCal Link: | iCal |
| Add to Google Calendar: |  |
Registration and Donations for Mindful Self-Compassion Course
Online registration is now closed for this event.