Join us for a MSC Training Intensive at beautiful Bethlehem Centre,
located on Vancouver Island, in Nanaimo, British Columbia
– A place to be nourished and expanded –

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)​ is an evidence-based training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on the groundbreaking research of Dr Kristin Neff (PhD) and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer (psychologist), MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding.

Rapidly expanding research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, less anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships. And it’s easier than you think.

The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and balanced, mindful awareness. Kindness opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need. Common humanity opens us to our essential interrelatedness, so that we know we aren’t alone. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warm-hearted, connected presence.

Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who feel uncomfortable when they are good 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.Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who feel uncomfortable when they are good 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

●  Understand the evidence-based benefits of self-compassion

●  Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism

●  Handle difficult emotions with greater ease

●  Transform challenging relationships, old and new

●  Manage caregiver fatigue

●  Practice the art of savouring and self-appreciation

The MSC curriculum will be offered as:

– an introductory evening (Sunday March 22nd),
– 3 full days of training on Monday March 23rd, Tuesday March 24th and Thursday March 26th
– 1 half day of training Wednesday March 25th
– a final morning of training and closing (Friday March 27th)

As the name suggests, an MSC intensive is a deep dive into the practice of self-compassion. While it can be emotionally challenging, concentrated practice allows you to immerse yourself more deeply in MSC and experience its transformative potential.

What To Expect

Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion and practices in pairs or small groups.”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 is primarily a compassion training program, although mindfulness is the foundation of self-compassion. MSC is also not psychotherapy insofar as the emphasis of MSC is on building emotional resources rather than addressing old wounds. Positive change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way.

This training course fulfills the pre-requisite for the MSC Teacher Training, which will take place in September 2020 at the Bethlehem Centre. CEU credits, approved by the APA, are available for a modest cost.