Every year First Presbyterian provides 1000 hygiene kits for kids who are experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon. This course is by donation only. Please give generously. All proceeds will go directly to Kits For Kids, A Mission of First Presbyterian providing hygiene kits for homeless youth.
Given what we are juggling--work, kids, isolation, our mental/physical/spiritual well being, it's a good time to practice the foundational skills of mindfulness and self-compassion.
What is mindfulness? It's turning with loving awareness toward difficult experience (emotions, sensations, thoughts). Self-compassion comes next—bringing loving kindness to ourselves. Together, mindfulness and self-compassion comprise a state of warm, connected presence during difficult moments in our lives.
Burgeoning research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, coping with life challenges, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying, compassionate relationships.
Self-compassion includes the capacity to comfort, soothe and validate ourselves, but also to protect and provide for ourselves, and to motivate ourselves to achieve our goals. Fortunately, anyone can learn self-compassion.
This workshop is an abridged introduction to Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC). MSC is an empirically-supported training based on the pioneering research of Dr. Kristin Neff and the clinical perspective of Dr. Chris Germer.
What you will learn
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
Manage caregiver fatigue
Increase your happiness with savoring and self-appreciation
Teach simple self-compassion practices to others
What to expect
This workshop is a series of 4 x 2hr classes, completely live and online. Program activities include short talks, meditation, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life. No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend this workshop.
The course takes place on the Zoom conference platform and is limited to 25 participants. Please sign up for all four sessions.
MSC is a resource-building program. It is not therapeutic.
In that regard, difficult emotions are likely to emerge as we give ourselves the kindness that we need. Participants are asked to attend to their own safety and wellbeing. I am committed to making the journey safe, interesting and enjoyable for everyone.
Calendar: Friday, May 22 through Friday, June 12, 8-10AM Pacific Time
For more information, please reach out to the facilitator:
Ruth Williamson/ruth@ruthwilliamsonconsulting.com